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Clan Bell is an armigerous clan which means that the clan, family or name is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon, but does not currently have a chief recognised by the Lyon Court. Clan Bell’s last recognised chief, William Redcloak Bell died in 1628. There’s some debate as to where the Bells come from and the origins of the last name Bell. It could come from the old French town, Belle, or alternatively be derived from the French ‘Bel’, which means fair or handsome. It could be an occupational name, for someone who made bells, or a topographic name, originally given to a member of the clan who lived beside a bell. Others believe that it’s a shortened version of a French name – perhaps Gilbert Le Fitzbel, who held land in the Dumfries area in the 13th century – or even a shorter form of ‘Isabel’. It’s unlikely that we’ll ever be able to definitively prove where the name comes from, so the best option could well be to just pick your favorite and go with that as the origin story of your clan!