Our Society and Scottish Roots

Clan Jack has grown from a small group of relatives meeting in Scotland in 2008 into a worldwide family network. Our gatherings, traditions, tartan and shared history bring Jack descendants together from Scotland, New Zealand, the United States, Australia, Canada and beyond.

Over the years we explored ways to formalise our group in Scotland. Meetings were held, constitutions drafted, tartan designs refined and correspondence opened with the heraldic authorities. These enquiries helped clarify that the Jack name, although historically Scottish, has never been recognised as a traditional clan under heraldic law. Scottish heraldry requires a long documented line of chiefs with recorded arms, and the Jack name does not have such a lineage in the official registers.

This guidance was helpful. It confirmed that while we cannot form a heraldically recognised Scottish clan, nothing prevents us from continuing our work as a cultural and genealogical family society. That is exactly what we have done.

Why we use the word “Clan”

In Scottish life the word clan has two meanings. One refers to formal heraldry. The other is the older cultural meaning of a connected kin group. We use the cultural definition.

Clan Jack has always been about bringing together the descendants of many Jack families who share a name, a story and a sense of belonging. The word has been part of our identity since the first gatherings at the castle. It reflects community rather than heraldry. It is friendly, inclusive and instantly understood by members and newcomers alike. While the heraldic definition does not apply to us, the cultural meaning does. We use the name proudly and respectfully in that spirit.

Why we registered in the United States

As our family group expanded, it became clear we needed a modern legal home to protect our tartan, our badge artwork and our emerging Coat of Arms design, and to support future gatherings and projects. For practical reasons, and with many active members based there, we chose to register the Jack Clan Society as a non-profit Corporation in the State of Utah in the United States. This structure gives us:

• a formal legal identity
• the ability to protect our intellectual property
• transparent governance
• a stable foundation for future generations

Our officers

Our current officers are:

• John Jack of Dundee, Scotland – Chief Executive Officer and hereditary Chief of our family group
• Carl Jack, North Carolina, USA – Chief Technical Officer
• Jill Memmott Olsen, Utah, USA – Chief Financial Officer

This structure supports the work of the Society. It does not change our origins, our values or the central role of our Chief in Scotland. Clan Jack will always be rooted in Scottish soil and Scottish history. Our registration simply strengthens our ability to preserve that heritage and bring together Jack families worldwide.

Global membership

We welcome all Jack descendants, whatever the spelling of the name or the path your family took across the world. Our Facebook group now has more than 937 members, and it continues to grow as cousins discover each other and add their stories.