Nothing definite was known of the clans of the Hurons until the appearance of Morgan's Ancient Society in 1877, Powell's Wyandot Government (1st Rep. B. A. E., 1881), and Connolley's The Wyandots (Archaeol. Rep. Ontario, 92, 1899).

From the last writer, who corrects the work of the former authorities, the following list of Huron clans is taken:
Great Turtle
Little Water Turtle
Mud Turtle
Wolf
Bear
Beaver
Deer
Porcupine
Striped Turtle
Highland Turtle
Snake
Hawk.

These, according to Powell, were organized into four phratries or clan brotherhoods, but Connolley denies that four phratries ever existed. The evidence appears to indicate, however, that the four-phratry organization was merged into one of three, of which the Wolf clan constituted one and acted as executive and presiding officer.