noun
- plural of sept; divisions of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish clan
Usage: historical; anthropological
Examples
- The Highland clans were divided into various septs.
- Different septs of the O’Brien clan settled in various counties.
- The genealogist traced the family’s connection to several Irish septs.
- Ancient septs often had their own tartans and traditions.
- The clan chief recognized all the septs under his authority.
- Historical records show how septs migrated across Scotland.