At one time, among the AniYunwiya (Principal People) there existed over 80 clans or families, then those were reduced (possibly by disease) to 14, and eventually 7 of those 14 were swallowed up by the 7 other clans, making the existing 7 Clan system we have today.

The Cherokee people lived in groups of family members.

A person belongs to the clan of their mother, and her mother, and her mother, etc. It is a matrilineal clan system. Names of the clans vary in history. And some of the Cherokee words do not have a precise English translation. A person could not marry someone in his or her clan. After marriage, a man usually lived with his wife's clan. When a child was born, it was part of their mother's clan (that did not mean the child's father did not love their son or daughter).

AniWahya (Wolf Clan or "Panther")

Ani Tsiskwa (small Bird Clan or "Eagle")

AniKawi (Deer Clan or "Bison")

AniGilohi (Twister Clan or "Long Hair")

AniSahoni (Blue Clan or "Blue Holly")

AniGatogewi (Wild Potato Clan or "Tobacco")

AniWodi (Red Paint Clan or "Paint")

“Lost” Clans

One of the clans did not form into one of the tribes, but vanished completely. This was the Ani-Tsaguhi (People who-disappeared), which many believe were some of our people who went into the forest and willingly became bears in order to feed the people during a time of famine.

The AniKutani (Priestly) Clan was destroyed for reasons that are not discussed openly.

It is taught, among the Chickamauga, that ALL Clans are part of the Bear Clan.

Two other groups of relatives, the Susquehanna and Tuscarora, joined the Iroquois. The Iroquois moved north into the cold country and to the great lakes of the north. The seven clans that remained became known as Ugaya - Seven Clan Society.