does there exist a modern (formalised, associated) but equivalent to clans?

generalmiaow

I am sorry if this is a stupid question. I am new to this sort of stuff, but I think this might be easy to answer with something short (if it has an answer) and I can research the terminology.

I have met many families which are quite organised, and have multiple generations and include many people, but they are ephemeral and tend to die out when the matriach/patriach dies and then naturally fork off. I am wondering if there are more "state-like" or foundation-like families that exist in some institutional manner, but which aren't aristocratic/crime families... and mainly in the west, and independent of social class, is what I want to know. I know such things as tribes exist in parts of the world. Also, there are "estates", but they seem to be legal entities more than anything else.

Personally I wasn't signed into any charter or expected to attend AGMs when I was born but I wonder if anyone here was? Perhaps some Catholics might feel this way (I suppose that is what some of you might tell me is the answer, but I am not sure.

Thanks

Edit: thread title should say "but family-based/hereditary"

generalmiaow

Also, I've noticed if you google "<irish surname> society" you get lots of websites for "clans" of sort sometimes modelling themselves after ancient Irish/scottish clans and organising meetups, but I don't know how serious those things are or if they are any force in society.

Ostrom

Are you looking for modern associations - i.e. that model themsleves on 'clan' organisation or for actual unbroken survivals?

WindSock

In Irish society only?

Killer Wench

Well, in the US, you still have many tribal communities that have clan systems. Your clan establishes your medicine, who you can and cannot marry, and your extended family.

Here's a video of a Navajo woman introducing herself by listing her clans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAPACR-Wo-g