When to Capitalize?

I would be tempted to capitalise the clan in "Clan McDonald" and whenever clan stands in for the that, or another, but specific clan.

On the other hand I would not capitalise the word when it appears in a generic sense.

So:

"The Clan McDonald is one of several clans represented at the clan meet, that Clan is headed by Chief Donald Fergus McDonald."

Does that make sense?

This is how I would do it, but I can't guarantee it's the right way:

Capitalize 'clan' if it's part of the name, e.g. "This is Jane of Clan McDonald."

If you mean 'clan' in a more general sense, don't capitalize it, so anything after an article ('a', 'an' or 'the') is lower case: "They are part of a clan that owns half the woods around here."

2007: 28,513 words
2005: 50,916 words
2003: 12,078 words

I don't think any of them should be. The only one I'm not certain about is the last one, but even then I don't think it needs it.

This is a case of style really, whereby one should just make your own choice and stick with it. It may help to adopt a particular style sheet, in which case the Guardian one, which a quick search of http://www.guardian.co.uk should uncover, is a popular one. If you seek publication then publishers may have their own style guide, but for now you are better of just settling on your own.

I have just consulted same, and although it does not have "clan" it does suggest that generic words like that should be lower case.* E.g. the Guardian uses "London bridge", "Ripon cathedral", etc, and thus probably "clan McDonald".

I disagree, I would use "London Bridge", "Ripon Cathedral" and "Clan McDonald". The trick here is to decide whether you will capitalise generics or not, if you would favour "London Bridge", as I would, proceed as I suggest above. If you would favour "London bridge", then stick with lower case throughout.

The Guardian also gives a little background to, and rationalisation of, its choice.**

-----

* "cap the name but lc the generic part (if necessary at all)"

** "capitals
Times have changed since the days of medieval manuscripts with elaborate hand-illuminated capital letters, or Victorian documents in which not just proper names, but virtually all nouns, were given initial caps (a Tradition valiantly maintained to this day by Estate Agents).
A look through newspaper archives would show greater use of capitals the further back you went. The tendency towards lower case, which in part reflects a less formal, less deferential society, has been accelerated by the explosion of the internet: some net companies, and many email users, have dispensed with capitals altogether.
Our style reflects these developments. We aim for coherence and consistency, but not at the expense of clarity. As with any aspect of style, it is impossible to be wholly consistent – there are almost always exceptions, so if you are unsure check for an individual entry in this guide."

Thank you, everyone.

As this particular story revolves around a clan I am going to have to take the personal style side, especially after reading the bits from Guardian about "less formal" usage. With a clan as center point and their very lifestyle being a designed, formal affair, it makes more sense to capitalize the word "clan" when in reference to them or their way of life.

Small sidenote: for what it's worth The MacDonald clan website seems to refer to the clan as 'Clan Donald'

In your case, I would decide based on the context.

The Clan must survive the battles with other clans. Our foremost opposition was a clan on the other side of the river; that clan never gave up it's battle with our clan: our clan, Clan McDonald will wipe out clan Dolitty.

It really is personal choice, for me the caps relay respect, the lack of caps in titled nouns, disrespect.

The first usage of clan in the example is a title noun, where the actual clan name is known and therefore not stated.

Thanks everyone :)

I've another capitalization question.

Do you capitalize the name of a position? (non-government related)

"I have an interview with the Steward of the Academy." (where the steward is position of power)
"The woman to the left is the Lady" (where the lady is a status and a position of power)

Any ideas?

Again, you can probably make your own decision here, as long as you stick with it. I would say, capitalise titles of people, do not capitalise indefinite generics. So, if you might say "The woman to the left is (the) Lady Ameila" then you would say capitalise Lady. If you just want to say that she is thus ennobled, then it would be "The woman to the left is a lady", just as you might say "The woman to the left is a doctor". As you used the definite article in that context, then I presume you want the capitalised Lady.

Again with Steward I would be tempted to capitalise. Steward of the Academy, King of England, Father of the Bride, etc.