clann

clann is a Gaelic noun meaning "family" or "children" used in Irish Gaelic and Scottish Gaelic. It can refer to one’s immediate relatives as well as a broader kin group, and it is also used to denote a clan or lineage within a community.

Etymology and linguistic notes: clann derives from Proto-Celtic roots and is cognate with the English word clan, reflecting shared linguistic ancestry among Insular Celtic languages. The term is used across Gaelic-speaking communities to express kinship and descent.

Usage and context: In Irish and Scottish Gaelic, clann appears in everyday speech, literature, and genealogical contexts to describe family groups and lineages. It can appear in compound forms and expressions that name branches of a family or kin networks, and it often conveys social ties within a community.

In music and popular culture: The word forms the basis of the name of the Irish band Clannad, which translates to "family." Formed in the 1970s in County Donegal, Clannad helped bring Gaelic-language music to international audiences and is associated with the development of a broader Celtic-influenced contemporary sound. The use of clann in the band name underscores the cultural importance of kinship terms in Gaelic identity.