Clan MacPhail or the Sons of Paul is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands. Known in Scottish Gaelic as Conchie Dhu or Condochy Doye, the clan is mainly associated with the confederation of Clan Chattan. History Origins The original Gaelic name of this clan was Conchie Dhu or Condochy Doye. Originally the MacPhails had a stronghold until 1291 at Fassfern about 16 kilometers west of Fort William. With Clan Chattan The MacPhails were always considered to be of old Clan Chattan stock and closely related to MacPhersons, MacBeans and other Cattanach families that together formed the Clan Chattan Federation. Cattanach is still a surname associated to these clans. The first MacPhails are reputed to have been descended from a Paul Cattanach. MacPhails, or Son of Paul, are mentioned early in the Kinrara Manuscript stating that a Paul Gow MacPhail, "good sir" lived in the time of Duncan, 11th of MacKintosh. The term "good sir" was a custom mainly related to addressing clergymen. As Clan MacPhail proper When the Chief of Clan MacKintosh, Angus, married the heiress of Clan Chattan in the 13th Century, the majority of the Chattan families including Clan MacPhail moved to eastern Inverness-shire. In 1414, the name appears in a Retour of Inquest on Donald Thane of Calder's succession to the lands of Dunmaglass, Gillemore M'Phale being one of the inquest. In 1547, a MacPhail, Duncan Makconquhy Dow leased half the towns of Tullich and Elrick. This lease was inherited through generations. In 1595, Andrew M'Phail, minister at the Kirk of Croy and Findla MakPhail one of the beillis of Invernes appear in a contract between the magistrates of Inverness and a Robert Waus. In 1631, another MacPhail entered into a long lease to Invernarnie with the Laird of Kilravock. For 1000 Pound Scots he was granted a wadset and long tack of Invernarnie, which faced the river Nairn and lay within the Barony of Strathnairn in the Parish of Daviot and Dunlichty. The land also included Duglass and Dullatur facing the river Findhorn. These lands were held by descendants until 1773, when the lease was not renewed. The unity of the family was destroyed and a large portion drifted southward to Argyllshire and were largely absorbed into urban life. A number of Clan Chattan bonds however signed through the 17th and 18th Centuries continued to have MacPhail signatures still indicating their stature in the Federation.