MacDonald alias MacNeils in Boleskine OPRs what does this mean?

[J11]

On the subject of the Grant surname, there was a very good reason for the Laird insisting on tenants taking the surname Grant; and that was that all "Grant" males and men of the clan septs were liable to answer the call to arms in return for the protection of the clan.  Some Lairds would only issue tacks (leases) to Grants and some would only allow Grants to become ministers and teachers.  There are a number of references in 18thC Kirk Sessions records to "X Grant, alias ..."  Presumably it depended on how volatile the times were!

Jenny

[Skoosh]

Jenny, I believe the MacGregors had a conference in Perthshire to vote on whether the whole clan should adopt the name Grant. Their own name being proscribed and the tribe using Drummond, Campbell etc'. In view of the many connections between themselves and the Grants, the adoption of the name was agreed, one of these new Grant lairds being appointed head of the whole name. The laird of Grant's  reaction to this must have been interesting. The idea was dropped.
 I should think that the adoption of the surname Grant by the lairds own tenants was just a sensible move to avoid the chaotic situation of giving leases to  people who used a patronymic.
Skoosh.