There are various ancestral surnames, better known as Septs, that have connections by heritage to the Clan Mackintosh. Clan Mackintosh itself is a member of the Chattan Confederation of Clans, which also includes the Farquharsons, Shaws, Macphersons, MacBeans, MacPhail, Davidson, Macgillivray, Macqueen, MacThomas, Macleans of Dochgarroch, and MacIntyres of Badenoch.

The Clan is basically a family and the name is derived from a gaelic word meaning children. The Clan system emerged from the old tribal ways of the people living in what is now called Scotland. From around the 10th to 13th centuries more and more names became recognised as Clan names with their own varied histories and genealogies. Clan names are now representative of blood lines and all members of a clan share one bloodline.

Adamson Ayson Aysons of NZ Clark Clarke Clarkson Clerk Crerar Dallas Elder

Esson Glen Glennie Gollan Heggie Hardie Hardy MacAndrew MacAy MacCardney

MacClerich MacChlery McConchy Macglashan Machardie Machardy Machay Mackeggie McKillican MacLerie

MacNiven MacRitchie Niven Noble Ritchie Tarril Tosh Toshach