# Fraternity

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Type of organization, society, or club

For other uses, see [Fraternity (disambiguation)](/source/Fraternity_(disambiguation)).

A meeting of [Freemasons](/source/Freemasonry) in [West Germany](/source/West_Germany) in 1948

A **fraternity** (from [Latin](/source/Latin_language) **[frater](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/frater#Latin)** '[brother](/source/Brother_(Christian))' and *[-ity](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/-ity)*; whence, "[brotherhood](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/brotherhood)") or **fraternal organization** is an [organization](/source/Organization), [society](/source/Society), [club](/source/Club_(organization)) or [fraternal order](/source/Fraternal_order) traditionally of [men](/source/Men) but also [women](/source/Women) associated together for various [religious](/source/Religious) or [secular](/source/Secular) aims.[1][2][3][4][5] The [Western](/source/Western_world) concept of fraternities developed in the [Christian](/source/Christianity) context, notably with the [religious orders](/source/Religious_order) in the [Catholic Church](/source/Catholic_Church) during the [Middle Ages](/source/Middle_Ages).[6][7] The concept was eventually further extended with medieval [confraternities](/source/Confraternity) and [guilds](/source/Guild). In the early modern era, these were followed by [fraternal orders](/source/Fraternal_order) such as [Freemasons](/source/Freemasons), the [Rosicrucian Society of England](/source/Rosicrucian_Society_of_England), and [Odd Fellows](/source/Odd_Fellows), along with [gentlemen's clubs](/source/Gentlemen's_club), [student fraternities](/source/Student_fraternity), and fraternal service organizations.[8][9][10] Members (regardless of gender) are occasionally referred to as a *brother* or – usually in a religious context – *frater* or *[friar](/source/Friar)*.[11][12]

Today, connotations of fraternities vary according to context including companionships and brotherhoods dedicated to the religious, i.e., ([Knights of Columbus](/source/Knights_of_Columbus)), intellectual, academic, physical, or social pursuits of its members. In modern times, it sometimes connotes a [secret society](/source/Secret_society) especially regarding Freemasonry, Odd Fellows, various academic, and [student societies](/source/Student_societies).[13][14]

Although membership in fraternities was and mostly still is limited to men, this is not always the case. There are mixed male and female orders, as well as wholly female religious orders and societies, some of which are known as [sororities](/source/Sororities) in [North America](/source/North_America).[15] Notable modern fraternities or fraternal orders include some [grand lodges](/source/Grand_lodge) operating among freemasons and odd fellows.[16][17]

## History

[Blessed](/source/Beatification) [Gerard Thom](/source/Gerard_Thom) (c. 1040–1120), [lay brother](/source/Lay_brother) in the [Benedictine order](/source/Benedictine_order) and founder of the [Order of Saint John of Jerusalem](/source/Order_of_Saint_John_of_Jerusalem) after the [First Crusade](/source/First_Crusade) in 1099.

There are known fraternal organizations which existed as far back as ancient clan [hero](/source/Greek_hero_cult) and [goddess cults](/source/Great_Goddess_hypothesis) of [Greek religions](/source/Ancient_Greek_religion) and in the [Mithraic Mysteries](/source/Mithraic_Mysteries) of [ancient Rome](/source/Ancient_Rome).

The background of the modern world of fraternities can be traced back to the [confraternities](/source/Confraternities) in the [Middle Ages](/source/Middle_Ages), which were formed as [lay organisations](/source/Catholic_lay_organisations) affiliated with the [Catholic Church](/source/Catholic_Church). Some were groups of men and women who were endeavoring to ally themselves more closely with the prayer and activity of the church; others were groups of tradesmen, which are more commonly referred to as [guilds](/source/Medieval_guilds). These later confraternities evolved into purely secular fraternal societies, while the ones with religious goals continue to be the format of the modern [Third Orders](/source/Third_Order) affiliated with the [mendicant orders](/source/Mendicant_orders). Other yet took the shape as [military orders](/source/Military_order_(monastic_society)) during the [Crusades](/source/Crusades), which later provided inspiration for elements of quite a few modern fraternal orders.

The development of modern fraternal orders was especially dynamic in the [United States](/source/United_States), where the freedom to associate outside governmental regulation is expressly sanctioned in law.[18] There have been hundreds of fraternal organizations in the United States, and at the beginning of the 20th century the number of memberships equaled the number of adult males. (Due to multiple memberships, probably only 50% of adult males belonged to any organizations.)[19] This led to the period being referred to as "the [Golden age of fraternalism](/source/Golden_age_of_fraternalism)." In 1944 [Arthur M. Schlesinger](/source/Arthur_M._Schlesinger) coined the phrase "a nation of joiners" to refer to the phenomenon.[20] [Alexis de Tocqueville](/source/Alexis_de_Tocqueville) also referred to the American reliance on private organization in the 1830s in *[Democracy in America](/source/Democracy_in_America)*.

There are many attributes that fraternities may or may not have, depending on their structure and purpose. Fraternities can have differing degrees of [secrecy](/source/Secret_society), some form of initiation or ceremony marking admission, formal codes of behavior, [dress codes](/source/Dress_code) disciplinary procedures, very differing amounts of real property and assets.[19]

## Types

[Kraków](/source/Krak%C3%B3w)'s Kur Fraternity during the inauguration of [Józef Piłsudski](/source/J%C3%B3zef_Pi%C5%82sudski) Monument in Kraków.

The only true distinction between a fraternity and any other form of social organizations is the implication that the members are freely associated as equals for a mutually beneficial purpose rather than because of a religious, governmental, commercial, or familial bond – although there are fraternities dedicated to each of these fields of association.[19]

On college [campuses](/source/Campus), fraternities may be divided into four different groups: social, service, professional, and honorary.

Fraternities can be organized for many purposes, including university education, work skills, ethics, ethnicity, religion, politics, charity, chivalry, other standards of personal conduct, asceticism, service, performing arts, family command of territory, and even crime. There is almost always an explicit goal of mutual support, and while there have been fraternal orders for the well-off there have also been many fraternities for those in the lower ranks of society, especially for national or religious minorities. Trade unions also grew out of fraternities such as the [Knights of Labor](/source/Knights_of_Labor).

The ability to organize freely, apart from the institutions of government and religion, was a fundamental part of the establishment of the modern world. In *Living the Enlightenment*, Margaret C. Jacobs showed that the development of Jurgen Habermas's "public space" in 17th-century Netherlands was closely related to the establishment of lodges of [Freemasons](/source/Freemasons).[21]

### Trade guilds

*[The Syndics of the Drapers' Guild](/source/Syndics_of_the_Drapers'_Guild)* by [Rembrandt](/source/Rembrandt), 1662.

Further information: [Guilds in medieval Europe](/source/Guilds_in_medieval_Europe)

The development of fraternities in England may have originated with [guilds](/source/Guilds_in_England) that were the forerunners of [trade unions](/source/Trade_union) and [friendly societies](/source/Friendly_society). These guilds were set up to provide [insurance](/source/Insurance) for their members at a time when there was no [welfare state](/source/Welfare_state), trade unions or [universal health care](/source/Universal_health_care). Various secret signs and handshakes were created to serve as proof of their membership allowing them to visit related guilds in other communities.

### Fraternal orders

[Square and Compasses](/source/Square_and_Compasses) of [Freemasonry](/source/Freemasonry).

Further information: [Fraternal order](/source/Fraternal_order)

In London and other major cities, some Guilds (like the Freemasons and the Odd Fellows) survived by adapting their roles to a social support function. Eventually, these groups evolved in the early 18th century into more philosophical organizations focused on brotherly love and ethical living, with some elements inspired by organisations such as [chivalric orders](/source/Chivalric_order). Among guilds that became prosperous are the [Freemasons](/source/Freemasons), [Odd Fellows](/source/Odd_Fellows) and [Foresters](/source/Independent_Order_of_Foresters). Throughout the latter part of the 19th century and into the 20th century, many American fraternal orders such as the [Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks](/source/Benevolent_and_Protective_Order_of_Elks), [Loyal Order of Moose](/source/Loyal_Order_of_Moose), and [Fraternal Order of Eagles](/source/Fraternal_Order_of_Eagles) implemented practices and rituals inspired from orders such as the Freemasons and Odd Fellows. These organisations were segregated and Black organisations were founded that were based on the white ones such as [Prince Hall Freemasonry](/source/Prince_Hall_Freemasonry), [Grand United Order of Odd Fellows in America](/source/Grand_United_Order_of_Odd_Fellows_in_America), [Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World](/source/Improved_Benevolent_and_Protective_Order_of_Elks_of_the_World), as well as original fraternal organisations such as the [Independent Order of St. Luke](/source/Independent_Order_of_St._Luke).

The [Orange Order](/source/Orange_Order) is an [Ulster](/source/Ulster_unionism) [Protestant](/source/Protestantism) fraternity that celebrates the [Protestant](/source/Protestantism) faith and [Orange Order's heritage](/source/History_of_the_Orange_Order), mainly [King William's](/source/William_III_of_England) victory in the [Battle of the Boyne](/source/Battle_of_the_Boyne).[22] They hold a number of parades annually, including the [Battle of the Somme](/source/Battle_of_the_Somme) Memorial Parade and the [Twelfth of July](/source/Twelfth_of_July) which attract thousands of people.[23] They expanded to other continents through the [British Empire](/source/British_Empire), including [Oceania](/source/Oceania), and established lodges in [West Africa](/source/West_Africa), referred to as the [African Orange Order](/source/African_Orange_Order). The majority of lodges today are in [Togo](/source/Togo) and [Ghana](/source/Ghana).[24][25] The [Royal Black Institution](/source/Royal_Black_Institution) is also an Ulster Protestant fraternity that hold parades, including the "last Saturday in August" Royal Black Parade.[26]

### University and college fraternities

Main article: [College fraternities and sororities](/source/College_fraternities_and_sororities)

Further information: [Student society](/source/Student_society) and [Studentenverbindung](/source/Studentenverbindung)

The [German Student Corps](/source/German_Student_Corps) are known for practicing their tradition of engaging in [academic fencing](/source/Academic_fencing) by rules dating back to the 1750s.

Fraternities have a history in American colleges and universities and form a major subsection of the whole range of fraternities.[27] In Europe, students were organized in [nations](/source/Nation_(university)) and corporations since the beginnings of the modern university in the late medieval period, but the situation can differ greatly by country.

In the United States, fraternities in colleges date to the 1770s but did not fully assume an established pattern until the 1820s. Many were strongly influenced by the patterns set by Freemasonry.[19] The main difference between the older European organizations and the American organizations is that the American student societies virtually always include initiations, the formal use of symbolism, and a lodge-based organizational structure (chapters).

The oldest active social American college fraternity is the [Kappa Alpha Society](/source/Kappa_Alpha_Society) founded in 1825 at [Union College](/source/Union_College). [Sigma Phi](/source/Sigma_Phi) Society (1827) and [Delta Phi](/source/Delta_Phi) Fraternity (1827) were founded at the same school and comprise the [Union Triad](/source/Union_Triad). The women's fraternities, now more commonly referred to as sororities, formed beginning in 1851 with the establishment of [Alpha Delta Pi](/source/Alpha_Delta_Pi) as the first women's fraternity.

Expansion to other schools by way of approved chapters operating under a [charter or warrant](/source/Charter) has been the model whereby US fraternities have grown nationally and into Canada. This resulted in the formation of national structures of governance where previously each nascent fraternity had been under the control of its first, often "Alpha" chapter.[28] As fraternities grew larger they outpaced the capacity of volunteer management and began to employ staff, eventually requiring an administrative office. Today, hundreds of national fraternities account for roughly 15,000 active chapters.[29]

Some national groups remain quite small, with only a handful of active groups, while the largest will manage in excess of 300 active chapters. Alternatively, some fraternities remain as local units, often retaining a [literary society](/source/Literary_society#American_college_literary_societies) model that was more prevalent in the 19th century. Fraternities offer a wide variety of services: National chapters and locals may or may not have buildings, and while many are residential, some have properties that are meeting halls only.[30]

Fraternities which provide residential space exhibit an array of services and sizes. Meals may be catered, or served by a full-time staff, but in other cases the members will cook their own meals. Maintenance is typically performed by members, although on some campuses the host institution handles capital improvements. Sorority chapters tend to be larger, with a business model that includes more formal maintenance and support.[30]

Properties may be independently owned by housing corporations, and in the case of some schools these will provide the bulk of residential options for undergraduates; these properties may be on leased or privately held land. Other chapters, often new chapters, are housed in dorms and meet in rented halls.[27]

US fraternities formed in roughly three waves. The "old-line" fraternities are considered those that formed prior to, and during the American Civil War, all of which were Eastern or Southern. The next wave coincided with the period immediately after the Civil War until 1920, organizations normally modeled after the old-line fraternities. After WWII, the most recent wave of formation has largely been on ethnic or multi-cultural lines, which continues today.[27] Prior to the formation of the [NIC](/source/North_American_Interfraternity_Conference), [NPC](/source/National_Panhellenic_Conference) and other associations, whole chapters or schismatic groups of members would occasionally break away to form new fraternities as an offshoot of a former national. These national associations were developed, in part, to prevent this practice.[30]

The vast majority of US collegiate institutions recognize fraternities, ranging from a benign tolerance to active support. In Canada, fraternities are only rarely given official recognition, but rather, exist in the campus orbit as independent organizations. A few US campuses have historically banned fraternity participation, a position from which several have backtracked in the face of alumni criticism or ongoing student demand. For example, sororities (only) were banned at [Stanford University](/source/Stanford_University) in 1944 due to "extreme competition", but brought back in response to Title IX in 1977.[31]

[Colby College](/source/Colby_College), [Amherst College](/source/Amherst_College), and a few others are the outliers, where these bans persist. The [College of Wooster](/source/College_of_Wooster) adopted a Greek ban 100 years ago, but fraternities and sororities there have continued as local organizations. In 2017 [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University) attempted to ban single-sex clubs, a matter that was met with separate lawsuits in federal and Massachusetts courts.[32] Often, Greek chapters that are suspended or banned will continue as *[sub rosa](/source/Sub_rosa)* organizations.

Since at least the 1940s, fraternities have received increased scrutiny in the United States from [incidents](/source/Flanderization) of [hazing](/source/Hazing_in_Greek_letter_organizations) or racism that have received national attention, and on some campuses, such as [Florida State](/source/Florida_State_University),[33] the organizations have been temporarily banned while administrators and national fraternities adjust to resolve these shared challenges.

In Germany the [German Student Corps](/source/German_Student_Corps) are the oldest academic fraternities. Twenty-eight were founded in the 18th century and two of them still exist.[34] Most of their traditions have not changed much for the past two centuries. These traditions include [academic fencing](/source/Academic_fencing) duels with sharp blades while wearing only eye and neck protection, or regular [hunting](/source/Hunting) events, as can be seen in examples such as [Corps Hubertia Freiburg](/source/Corps_Hubertia_Freiburg), [Corps Palatia Munich](/source/Corps_Palatia_Munich), [Corps Rhenania Heidelberg](/source/Corps_Rhenania_Heidelberg) or [Corps Bavaria Munich](/source/Corps_Bavaria_Munich).

At Swedish universities, especially those of [Uppsala](/source/Uppsala_University) and [Lund](/source/Lund_University), students have organized in student nations since the 16th century. Generally, these organizations are open to all students who wish to join. Parallel to the nations, both Uppsala and Lund play host to a large number of university-related secret societies, for both students and older academics.[35]

There are thriving collegiate fraternity systems in [Puerto Rico](/source/List_of_fraternities_and_sororities_in_Puerto_Rico) and in the [Philippines](/source/List_of_fraternities_and_sororities_in_the_Philippines).

## See also

- [Society portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Society)

- [College fraternities and sororities](/source/College_fraternities_and_sororities)

- [List of general fraternities](/source/List_of_general_fraternities)

- [List of social fraternities](/source/List_of_social_fraternities)

- [List of social sororities and women's fraternities](/source/List_of_social_sororities_and_women's_fraternities)

- [Professional fraternities and sororities](/source/Professional_fraternities_and_sororities)

- [Service fraternities and sororities](/source/Service_fraternities_and_sororities)

- [Gentlemen's club](/source/Gentlemen's_club)

- [Country club](/source/Country_club)

- [Dining club](/source/Dining_club)

- [Literary societies](/source/Literary_societies)

- [Student society](/source/Student_society)

- [Supper club](/source/Supper_club)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Fraternity"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120712060622/http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/fraternity). *Oxford Dictionaries*. Archived from [the original](http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/fraternity) on July 12, 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Fraternity"](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fraternity). *Dictionary.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Fraternity"](http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Fraternal+orders). *TheFreeDictionary.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Fraternal orders"](http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Fraternal+orders). *TheFreeDictionary.com*. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** A somewhat derisive generic nickname used only in the undergraduate, collegiate milieu, is "frat", though this is rarely used by members or supporters.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Mendicant movement – 01 – St Augustine of Hippo – Order of St Augustine"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231314/http://www.augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=568). Archived from [the original](http://www.augnet.org/default.asp?ipageid=568) on 2016-03-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-vatican.va_7-0)** ["Code of Canon Law – IntraText"](https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1Z.HTM).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Milne-Smith, Amy (2006). ["A Flight to Domesticity? Making a Home in the Gentlemen's Clubs of London, 1880–1914"](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=8752581&fileId=S0021937100006572). *Journal of British Studies*. **45** (4). Cambridge Journals: 796–818. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1086/505958](https://doi.org/10.1086%2F505958). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [145471860](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:145471860). Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Milne-Smith, Amy (2009). ["Club Talk: Gossip, Masculinity and Oral Communities in Late Nineteenth-Century London"](https://scholars.wlu.ca/hist_faculty/18). *Gender & History*. **21** (1): 86–106. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/j.1468-0424.2009.01536.x](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1468-0424.2009.01536.x). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [143824046](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:143824046).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Rashdall, Hastings (1895). ["The Universities of Europe in the Middle Ages: Salerno. Bologna. Paris"](https://books.google.com/books?id=3oFKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA150). Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Our Sunday Visitor Catholic Publishing Company > My Faith > Everyday Catholic > Catholic Dictionary"](https://web.archive.org/web/20151222083700/https://www.osv.com/MyFaith/EverydayCatholic/CatholicDictionary.aspx). Archived from [the original](https://www.osv.com/MyFaith/EverydayCatholic/CatholicDictionary.aspx) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [1983 Code of Canon Law](/source/1983_Code_of_Canon_Law), canon 588 § 1

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["What Is Freemasonry"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140109020434/http://www.mhebf.com/freemasonry.html). Alberta: Masonic Higher Education Bursary Fund. Archived from [the original](http://www.mhebf.com/freemasonry.html) on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Edwin A. Biedermann, "Logen, Clubs und Bruderschaften", Droste-Verlag, 2007, 2. Auflage, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-7700-1184-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-7700-1184-8), 415 Seiten

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Adventure in Friendship: A History of The National Panhellenic Conference"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130628024619/https://www.npcwomen.org/resources/pdf/Adventures%20in%20Friendship.pdf) (PDF). *[National Panhellenic Conference](/source/National_Panhellenic_Conference)*. 2012. Archived from [the original](https://www.npcwomen.org/resources/pdf/Adventures%20in%20Friendship.pdf) (PDF) on June 28, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Welcome on the website of the Grand Orient de France !"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100123162707/http://www.godf.org/foreign/uk/histoire_uk_02.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.godf.org/foreign/uk/histoire_uk_02.html) on 23 January 2010. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Introduction"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110717200854/http://www.mason.be/en/intro.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.mason.be/en/intro.htm) on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** *[NAACP v. Alabama ex rel. Patterson](/source/NAACP_v._Alabama_ex_rel._Patterson)*, 357 U.S. 449, 460 (1958)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Stevens_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Stevens_19-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Stevens_19-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Stevens_19-3) Stevens, Albert C., ed. (1907). [*The Cyclopædia of Fraternities*](https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015014128915) (2nd ed.). New York City; Paterson, NJ: E. B. Treat and Co. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [07036716](https://lccn.loc.gov/07036716). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [2570157](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/2570157). [OL](/source/OL_(identifier)) [6990518M](https://openlibrary.org/books/OL6990518M) – via [HathiTrust](/source/HathiTrust).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Schlesinger, Arthur M. (October 1944). "Biography of a Nation of Joiners". *American Historical Review*. **L** (1). Washington, D.C.: American Historical Association: 1–25. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/1843565](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F1843565). [JSTOR](/source/JSTOR_(identifier)) [1843565](https://www.jstor.org/stable/1843565).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Jacob, Margaret C. (1991). [*Living the Enlightenment: Freemasonry and Politics in Eighteenth-Century Europe*](https://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=24345304). New York, New York: Oxford University Press.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland | Fraternal Organisation | Belfast"](https://www.goli.org.uk/). *Orange Order*. Retrieved 2026-04-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["The Twelfth: Thousands attending NI's Orange Order parades"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c15w7j02e8wo). *BBC News*. 2025-07-11. Retrieved 2026-04-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["The Orange Order in Africa – History Ireland"](https://historyireland.com/the-orange-order-in-africa/). *historyireland.com*. Retrieved 2026-04-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Orange Order on the equator: Keeping the faith in Ghana"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34088527). *BBC News*. 2015-08-30. Retrieved 2026-04-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["BBC - A History of the World - Object : The Royal Black Institution Collarette"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/YyjQqCY2RyWG7MCtdySL5w). *www.bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 2026-04-08.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Baird's_27-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Baird's_27-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Baird's_27-2) Summarized from the introductory chapter of [Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities](/source/Baird's_Manual_of_American_College_Fraternities), a resource that has, for 20 successive editions, traced development of these societies; the resource is continued in an online archive, notably enlarged with a list of the more recent formation of new fraternities along ethnic or multi-cultural lines. [Anson, Jack L.](/source/Jack_L._Anson); Marchesani Jr., Robert F., eds. (1991). *[Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities](/source/Baird's_Manual_of_American_College_Fraternities)* (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. pp. I-10, I-13, I-20, VI-128–132. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-9637159-0-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-9637159-0-6). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [25278937](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/25278937).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** The most prevalent naming convention identifies the originating chapter as the *Alpha*, with future chapters being assigned a unique single or multiple Greek letter designation. A few national fraternities use alternative terminology to refer to their chapters, for example, [Theta Delta Chi](/source/Theta_Delta_Chi) calls its campus groups "charges" instead of chapters. Where a national fraternity absorbs a pre-existing local group, it may allow the local group to keep its original name as its chapter identifier.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** A persistent error among fraters is to refer to their national headquarters as "nationals", mistakenly using a plural case when the plural case is incorrect and where they do not intend "national's" as if implying ownership.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-US_GLOexpansion_30-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-US_GLOexpansion_30-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-US_GLOexpansion_30-2) See [List of social fraternities and sororities](/source/List_of_social_fraternities_and_sororities) for formation years and links to examples.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Kappa Kappa Gamma - Beta Eta Deuteron History"](http://stanford.kappa.org/chapter-history). kappakappagamma.org. Retrieved 11 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** These suits, by national fraternities and sororities, allege that Harvard's policies against single-sex clubs are discriminatory. ["NBC News: Harvard Sued by Fraternities and Sororities over Single Sex Rule"](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/harvard-sued-fraternities-sororities-over-single-sex-rule-n942961). *[NBC News](/source/NBC_News)*. 4 December 2018., accessed 12 May 2021. The lawsuits are expected to play out over the course of several years. Also noted in [*The Crimson* campus news](https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2018/12/14/sanctions-lawsuit-what-to-expect/), December 14, 2018 and accessed 12 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** See [Andrew Coffey lawsuit](/source/Andrew_Coffey_lawsuit) and the resulting temporary ban on Greeks at FSU, which was partially lifted in March of 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** Klimczuk, Stephen & [Warner, Gerald](/source/Gerald_Warner). "[Secret Places, Hidden Sanctuaries: Uncovering Mysterious Sites, Symbols, and Societies](/source/Secret_Places%2C_Hidden_Sanctuaries)". Sterling Publishing, 2009, New York and London. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781402762079](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781402762079). pp. 212–232 ("University Secret Societies and Dueling Corps").

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** Osmend, Sam (2021-12-10). ["Not living in a society: An introduction to Swedish Student Nations"](https://exepose.com/2021/12/10/not-living-in-a-society-an-introduction-to-swedish-student-nations/). *Exeposé Online*. Retrieved 2025-03-17.

## External links

Look up ***[fraternity](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fraternity)*** in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Fraternity](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Fraternal_organizations).

- [Kake Walk at UVM digital collection, Center for Digital Initiatives, University of Vermont Libraries](https://web.archive.org/web/20110720105158/http://cdi.uvm.edu/collections/getCollection.xql?pid=kakewalk&title=Kake%20Walk%20at%20UVM)

v t e Phaleristics Auxiliary science of history and numismatics about orders, decorations, and medals Distinctions (Lists) By conferee Founts of honour* States and their national/public/official authorities Dynasties heads of currently or formerly sovereign royal families Private Ecclesiastical Organisations Commercial (Self-styled order) By type Orders Order of chivalry Military order Order of merit Royal family order Titles (Styles, Post-nominal) By function Grand master Chancellor Treasurer Assessor Bailiff Prior Chaplain Master of ceremonies Grand Cross / Grand Cordon Commander Officer Hospitaller Knight/Dame Postulant Squire Page Jurisdictions Charter Bailiwick Chapter Commandery Obedience Grand Lodge Lodge Others, by field Military (List) List of highest Campaign medal Law enforcement Civilian (List) Society Peace Intellectual freedom Human rights Law Humanitarianism Politics Volunteer Culture Architecture Art Film History Literature Music Philosophy Poetry Theatre Science Religion-related Ecclesiastical Sports Scouting Beauty By insignia (Named after people) For wearing (decorations) Formal Chelengk Collar Livery collar Grand Cross / Grand Cordon with sash Medal Necklet Medal bar Medal ribbon Robe of honour Tiraz Other Rosette Award pin Lapel pin Collar pin Tie pin Badge Heraldic Pilgrim Championship belt Embroidered patch Epaulette Ribbon Ring Championship ring Button Campaign Service Shoulder mark Tie clip Prizes Booby prize Wooden spoon Deal toy Plaquette Prize book Prize money Prize of war War trophy Human trophy Rosette Trophy Acrylic Participation Prizes known as the Nobel of a field Ceremonies and events Accolade Vigil Feoffment Passage fee Festival Vow Collar day Related organisations Family history society Family association Nobility association Fraternity Confraternity Fraternal order Fraternities and sororities Secret society Guild Syndicate Learned society Fellowship Honor society Hereditary society Club Gentlemen's club International Commission for Orders of Chivalry Magical organization Religious order Related concepts Chivalry Numismatics Heraldry Vexillology Service flag Battle honour Campaign streamer Nobility Order of precedence Taonga Honorary degree Devotional medal Awareness ribbon Code of conduct Code of honor High society * = Direct or indirect reference to fount of honour is the accepted criterion for official distinctions Category:Orders, decorations, and medals Wikipedia:WikiProject Orders, decorations, and medals Wikipedia:WikiProject Awards

Authority control databases International GND National United States Czech Republic Israel Other Historical Dictionary of Switzerland Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fraternity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraternity) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraternity?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.