Quote Originally Posted by EagleJCS View Post
I was trying to show that even though the clan name is Scott, the chief is not known as the Duke of Scott, but as the Duke of Buccleuch, whereas, for example, the Chief of Haig is The Rt Hon The Earl of Haig, whose patronymic is also Haig.
Most titled nobles use their territorial designation as their title. Since the Scott's of Beccleuch have resided (or at least owned) Beccleuch since the 13th century it is only reasonable that they would take their territorial designation as their title.

Haig, who was created Earl of Haig, Viscount Dawick, and Baron Haig of Bemersyde, all in 1919, chose to keep his name rather than use the ancient territorial designation of Bemersyde, which (at least) he did append to his baronial title.

This is the thing when one is given a title by the sovereign-- they are pretty much free to take whatever territorial designation they want. Most choose the name of their estate, or the townlands where they were born, or some such similar place name. Others, with seemingly less imagination, just use their family name.