Unlike many Regency romances, this series from Dragonblade Publishing features three prominent Scottish clans: Duncan, Cunningham, and Graham.

From The Tartans of the Clans and Septs of Scotland: With the Arms of Chiefs we have the following defintition: “A Highland Clan, ” writes President Forbes of Culloden, “is a set of men all bearing the same surname, and believing themselves to be related the one to the other, and to be descended from the same stock. In each Clan are several subaltern tribes, who own dependence on their own immediate chief, but all agree in owning allegiance to the supreme chief of the Clan or kindred, and look upon it to be their duty to support him in all adventures.”

“This concise definition of a Clan may be supplemented by what Dr Skene writes : While the Clan, viewed as a single community, consisted of the chief, with his kinsmen, to a certain limited degree of relationship; the community who were of the same blood, who all bore the same name, and his dependents, consisting of subordinate septs of native men, who did not claim to be of the blood of the chief, but who were either probably descended from the more ancient occupier of the soil, or were broken men from other clans who had taken protection from him. …

Clan Duncan: Clan Duncan (also known as Clann Donnachaidh) is historically linked with Clan Robertson, with many associated names stemming from the Perthshire-based clan. Common septs and associated surnames include Donachie, Donnachie, Donnelson, Duncanson, Dunkeson, Dunnachie, Inches, MacConachie, MacDonnichie, MacDonachie, Maninroy, MacIver, MacIvor, MacRob, MacRobb, MacRobbie, MacRobie, MacRobert, MacWilliam, Reid, Robb, Robbie, Roberts, Robertson, Robinson, Robson, Roy, Stark, and Tannoch. While often associated with the Robertsons, Clan Duncan exists in its own right, with historical ties to the areas of Perthshire, Angus, and Fife. While often linked as a branch of Clan Robertson (descended from Donnachadh Reamhar, or “Stout Duncan”), the Duncans are a significant force with their own history. The name Duncan itself is derived from the Gaelic Donnchadh, meaning “brown warrior”. 

Clan Cunningham: Clan Cunningham, a Lowland Scottish clan with roots in Ayrshire, has several associated septs and name variations linked through history and kinship. Key septs include Boyd, Chancellor, Coon, Cooney, Dunlop, Duncap, Flack, George, Giffen, Gunion, Hackney, Hair, Hemphill, Paisley, Powers, Stair, Starret, Stirrat, Winchester and Woodburn.  The clan originates from the district of Cunningham in North Ayrshire, with the first of the name likely being Warnebald, who received lands in the 12th century. The clan motto is “Over fork over“. According to legend, the motto stems from a time when Malcom, Prince of Scotland, was escaping from Macbeth, and he was hidden by a peasant under a pitchfork full of hay. Notable branches that served as foundational families for the clan include the Cunninghams of Kilmaurs, Caprington, Cunninghamhead, Aiket, Robertland, and Corsehill. 

Clan Graham: Clan Graham, a prominent Scottish clan with roots in the Anglo-Scottish border and a historic seat at Mugdock Castle, has numerous associated septs and branches. Key septs include Airth, Allardice/Allardyce, Auchinloick, Ballewen, Blair, Bonar/Bonnar/Bonner, Bontein/Bontine/ Buntain/ Bunten/Buntine, Buntyn, Buchlyrie, Bunting, Conyers, Drumaquhassle, Duchray, Dugalston, Esbank, Glenny, Graeme/Grahame, Grim/Grimes, Hadden/Haddon/Haldane, Howe/Howie, Kilpatrich, Lingo, Longstaff, MacGibbon, MacGilvern/MacGilvernock/MacIlvern, MacShille, Menteith/Monteith, Monzie, Mugdock, Pitcairn, Pyatt/Pye/Pyott, Rednock, Sirowan, Sterling.