Lord Lyon's Guidance

Guidance as regards the holding of a Derbfine or Family Convention

Derbfine  was the name given in Old Irish Law to a four generation agnatic kin  group of importance in determining succession and the ownership of  property.  More recently the term has been used to describe what might  be termed a Family Convention, held when the identity of the Chief or  Head of a historic Family or Name is in doubt, the object of which is to  recognise a new Chief or Head of the Family or Name; or to indicate a  suitable Commander for a term of years.

A  Family Convention should be composed of the leading members of the  Family or Name in question.  It has not proved easy to define who  exactly qualify as leading members, but the term certainly includes the  heads or representatives of leading branches of the family.  In the past  the term has been defined in terms of armigers and substantial  landowners.  Although being an armiger does suggest a certain status and  a degree of commitment to the Name, this definition has not proved  entirely satisfactory, being on the one hand too exclusive and on the  other open to abuse.  For example, such a definition might exclude  non-armigerous heads of leading branches; also, in theory at least,  definition in terms of a given number of armigers may make a Family  Convention open to “packing”.  There is also the possibility that  someone unconnected to the Name in question, might adopt that name as  his or her surname and become an armiger.  It is not appropriate that  someone in this position should then be regarded as a leading member of  the family.  It does seem appropriate, however, to consult with a well  established clan or family association where such exists.