[3] An early man bearing the surname MacIver was Malcolm McIuyr, whose appears on a list of men in the Sheriffdom of Argyll/Lorne in 1292.

Principal Campbell, at the time publication of his Account, was petitioning the Lord Lyon King of Arms to recognise him as "Chief of Clan Iver".

[1] According to legend, a stronghold of the MacIvers was the ancient fort of Dun Mor (Dunmore)[1], located near Lochgilphead.

According to Ane Accompt, Iver's mother was to have been a daughter of Suibhne, who was the founder of Castle Sween, and is thought to be a member of the kindred of Anrothan who held lands in Cowal, Glassary and Knapdale (Suibhne is claimed as the eponymous ancestor of the MacSweens).

[4] In July, 1680, men of the Clan MacIver of Argyll who were a sept of the Clan Campbell apparently joined up with the MacIvers of Caithness in support of Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy and fought against the forces of George Sinclair of Keiss at the Battle of Altimarlach, in a dispute over who had the right to the title and lands of the Earl of Caithness.

Campbell won the battle, but Sinclair later turned to the law and was awarded the lands and title as Earl of Caithness.

Although the MacIvers only formed a small part of Glenorchy's force, they contributed their full share to its success and, according to tradition, the piper of the clan in Caithness, Finlay MacIver, composed the Great Highland bagpipe tune, Bodach-na-briogais, which was inspired by the battle.

[7][8] According to the traditions of the Mackenzies, a clan of Macivers were located in Wester Ross, across The Minch from Lewis.

[11] Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, writing in the early 17th century,[12] stated that the Ross clans consisted of "Clan-juer", "Clantalvigh", and "Clan-leajwe".

According to Gordon, a force of Munros and Dingwalls overtook the mentioned clans and fought them at "Bealligh-ne-Broig", between Ferrin-Donald and Loch Broom.

Gordon stated that "Clan-Iver", "Clantalvich" and "Clan Laive" were "utterlie extinguished and slain".