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Scottish Clan Septs & Surnames

 
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The variety of surnames within a Scottish clan do not represent separate and definite sub-clans but instead reflect the changes of the Gaels into the English naming system as well as marriages, migrations and occupations. Thus the main family itself may have very well developed a variety of surnames (septs). The preferred modern usage is to avoid the use of the term (sept) and to simply describe these names as what they are - surnames of the family and of allied or dependent families. Today many prefer to speak of -The names and families of Clan X- rather to call a name -a sept of Clan X. Sept is actually a term borrowed from Irish culture in the nineteenth century to explain the use of a variety of surnames by members of a single clan. Where Scots would say -MacGregor and his clan- an Irish historian might say -O'Neill and his sept.

A complete list of Clan Septs and Family Surnames is an exhaustive task. Below is a partial list to get your started. One good source which can give a clue to clan associations is a book on tartans. Tartan for Me! by Philip D. Smith (Now on the Seventh Edition). This book gives an exhaustive list of tartans that are associated with surnames. By reading this book it may well give you a clue as to what clan your name is associated with. You may well find this book in your local library. We also feature the book in our book shopping mall and although it is marked as back ordered they may still be able to locate a copy for you.

Follow this link to review the Gunn Clan Sept Surname List

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Scottish Clan Sept & Surnames

Clan Buchanan
Basken, Baskin, Bede, Bonnieville, Boyne, Buck, Buckie, Bucky, Cawsell, Chapp, Chrystal, Clapperton, Coscrach, Costie, Costy, Cranach, Crannach, Crystall, Crystal, Crudon, Cruden, Cruddon, Colman, Donleavy, Donlevy, Dove, Dow, Dowe, Fasken, Faskin, Fitchie, Fitchy, Gammerie, Gammery, Gibb, Gibson, Gilbertson, Hardin, Hardman, Hardnan, Harper, Harperson, Kermack, Leisk, Lennie, Lenny, Macaldonich, Macandeoir, MacAslan, MacAuselan, MacAuslan, MacAusland, MacAuslane, MacCalman, MacCalmont, MacCalmont, MacCammond, MacChruiter, MacColman, MacCormack, MacCrystal, MacDonleavy, MacGibbon, Macgreusich, Macinally, Macindeor, Macindoe, Mackinlay, Mackinley, MacMaster, MacMaurice, MacMurchie, MacMurchy, Macnuyer, MacWattie, MacWhirter, Masterson, Meason, Merson, Mondie, Mondy, Mundie, Mundy, Murchie, Murchieson, Nible, Niblo, Ogston, Ogstone, Ogstoun, Prince, Rattliff, Ratcliff, Ratliff, Rattcliff, Risk, Runcie, Runcy, Ruskin, Shakle, Spittal, Spittel, Tarves, Tarvis, Teunion, Teunon, Tewnion, TinnonTucks, Wadsworth, Wadsworther, Watson, Watt, West, Whammond, Willgook, Whyman, Whymon, Yull, Yuille, Yule.

Clan Cameron
Chalmers, Kennedy, MacChlerich, MacChlery, MacFall, MacGillonie, Macildowie, MacKail, Maclerie, MacMartin, MacOnie, MacOurlic, MacPhail, MacSorley, MacUlric, Macvail, MacWalrick, Martin, Paul, Sorley, Taylor.

Clan Campbell
Bannatyne, Burns, Burnes, Burnett, Connochie, Denoon, Denune, Harres, Harris, Haws, Hawson, MacConnechy, MacConochie, MacGibbon, Macglasrich, MacIssac, MacIver, MacIvor, MacKellar, MacKessock, MacKissock, MacLaws, LacLehose, MacNichol, MacOran, MacOwen, MacPhedran, MacPhun, MacUre, Ure. Clan Campbell of Breadalbane: MacDiarmid, MacDermid. Clan Campbell of Cawdor: Caddell, Calder. Clan Campbell of Loudoun: Hastings, Loudoun.

Clan Colquhoun
Cowan, Cowen, Culchone, Ingram, Kilpatrick, King, Kirkpatrick, Laing, MacAchounich, MacLintock, MacMains, MacManus, MacOwan, Maccowan, MacClintock.

Clan Cumming
Buchan, Comine, Comyn, MacNiven, Niven, Russell.

Clan Davidson
Davie, Davis, Dawson, Dow, Kay, Macdade, Macdaid, MacDavid.

Clan Drummond
Grewar, Gruer, Maccrouther, Macgrewar, Macgrowther, Macgruder, Macgruther, MacRobbie.

Clan Farquharson
Barrie, Brebner, Christie, Coates, Coutts, Farquhar, Findlay, Findlayson, Finlay, Finlayson, Gracie, Greusach, Hardie, Hardy, Kellas, Lyon, MacCaig, MacCardney, Macartney, MacCuaig, MacEarachar, MacFarquhar, Machardie, Machardy, MacKerchar, MacKerracher, Mackindlay, Mackinlay, Paterson, Reoch, Riach, Tawse.

Clan Ferguson
Fergus, Ferries, Hardie, MacAdie, MacFergus, MacKerras, MacKersey.

Clan Forbes
Bannerman, Fordyce, Michie.

Clan Forrester
Forrester, Forester, Foristar, Forrister, Forrest, Forest, Forster, Forstar, Foster, Fostar, Corstorphine, Carstarphen

Clan Fraser
Bisset, Brewster, Cowie, Frew, Frissell, Frizell, Macgruer, Macimmey, MacKim, MacKimmie, MacShimes, MacSimon, MacSymon, MacTavish, Oliver, Sim, Sime, Simon, Simpson, Sims, Simson, Syme, Symon, Twaddle, Tweedie.

Clan Gordon
Adam, Adamson, Addie, Adie, Addison, Aiken, Aitchison, Atkin, Atkins, Atkinson, Badenoch, Barrie, Connor, Connon, Craig, Cromb, Crombie, Cullen, Culane, Darg, Darge, Dorward, Duff, Durward, Eadie, Eddie, Edie, Edison, Esslemont, Garden, Gardiner, Gardner, Garioch, Garrick, Garroick, Geddes, Gerrie, Huntley, Huntly, Jessiman, Jopp, Jupp, Laing, Lang, Laurie, Lawrie, Leng, Ling, MacAdam, Mallett, Manteach, Marr, Maver, Meldrum, Mill, Mills, Milles, Miln, Milne, Milner, More, Morrice, Muir, Mylne, Steel, Teal, Tod, Todd, Troup.

Clan Graham
Airth , Allardice, Allardyce, Bonar, Bonnar, Bontein, Bontine, Buntain, Bunten, Buntine, Bunting, Graeme, Grahame, Grahym, Grim, Grymn, Hadden, Haldane, Macgibbon, Macgilvernock, Macgrime, Maharg, Menteith, Monteith, Pitcairn, Pye, Pyott.

Clan Grant
Allan, Allen, Bisset, Bissett, Bowie, Buie, Gilroy, MacAllan, Macgilroy, MacIlroy, MacKerran, MacKiaran, MacKessock, Pratt and Suttie.

Clan Gunn
Gallie, Gaunson, Georgeson, Henderson, Jameson, Jamieson, Johnson, Kean, Keens, MacComas, MacCorkill, MacCorkle, MacIan, MacKames, MacKeamish, MacKean, MacRob, MacWilliam, Mann, Manson, Nelson, Robison, Robson, Sandison, Swanson, Williamson, Wilson.

Clan Hall
Halle, Haule, Haul, Hal, De Aula, Hale, Haw, Collingwood, Crispin, Fitz William, MacHall.

Clan Innes
Dinnes, Ennis, Innie, McRob, McTary, Marnoch, Mavor, Middleton, Mitchell, Reidfuird, Thain, Wilson.

Clan Keith
Achindachy, Astine, Aston, Austen, Austie, Austin, Cate, Dick, Dickson, Dickison, Dicson, Dixon, Dixson, Falconer, Falconor, Faulkner, Harvie, Harvey, Harvie, Hervey, Haxton, Hurrie, Hurry, Keath, Keech, Keeth, Kite, Lumgain, Lumgaine, Lumgair, MacDick, MacDicken(s), MacDickin(s), MacDickie, MacDicky, MacDickson, MacGeath, MacKeetch, MacKeeth, MacKeith, MacKeithan, MacKeth, Mackett, MacNeithan, Marshall, Urrie, Urry

Clan Kinnaird
Kinnard, Kynnard, Kennard, Kynharde, Kinzerd, Kinnart, Kynnart, Kynarde, Culbin

Clan Lamont
Black, Brown, Bourdon, Burdon, Lamb, Lambie, Lammie, Lamondson, Landers, Lemond, Limond, Limont, Lucas, Luke, Lyon, Macalduie, MacClymont, MacGilledow, MacGillegowie, Macilzegowie, Macilwhom, MacLamond, MacLucas, MacLymont, MacPatrick, MacPhorich, MacSorley, Meikleham, Patrick, Sorley, Toward, Towart, Turner, White.

Clan Leslie
Abernethy, Bartholomew, More

Clan Lindsay
Crawford, Deuchar

Clan MacAllister
Alexander

Clan MacAulay
MacPhedron, MacPheidiran

Clan MacArthur
Arthur, MacCartair, MacCarter.

Clan MacBean
Bean, MacBeath, MacBeth, Macilvain, MacVean

Clan MacDonald
Beath, Beaton, Bethune, Bowie, Colson, Connall, Connell, Darroch, Donald, Donaldson, Donillson, Donnelson, Drain, Galbraith, Gilbride, Gorrie, Gowan, Gowrie, Hawthorn, Hewison, Houstoun, Howison, Hughson, Hutcheonson, Hutchinson, Hutchison, Isles, Kellie, Kelly, Kinnell, Mac a' Challies, MacBeth, MacBeath, MacBheath, MacBride, MacCaishe, MacCall, MacCash, MacCeallaich, MacCodrum, MacColl, MacConnell, MacCook, MacCooish, MacCrain, MacCuag, MacCuish, MacCuitein, MacCutcheon, MacDaniell, Macdrain, MacEachern, MacElfrish, MacElheran, MacGorrie, MacGorry, MacGoun, MacGowan, MacGown, MacHugh, MacHutchen, MacHutcheon, MacIan, Macilreach, Macilriach, Macilleriach, Macilrevie, Macilvride, Macilwraith, MacKean, MacKellachie, MacKellaig, MacKelloch, MacKiggan, MacKinnell, MacLairish, MacLardie, MacLardy, MacLarty, MacLaverty, MacLeverty, MacMurchie, MacMurdo, MacMurdoch, MacO'Shannaig, MacQuistan, MacQuisten, MacRaith, MacRorie, MacRory, MacRuer, MacRurie, MacShannachan, MacSorley, MacSporran, MacSwan, MacWhannell, Martin, May, Murchie, Murchison, Murdoch, Murdoson, O'Drain, O'May, O'Shannachan, O'Shaig, O'Shannaig, Purcell, Revie, Reoch, Riach, Rorison, Shannon, Sorley, Sporran, Train, Whannel. Clan MacDonald of Clanranald: Allan, Allanson, Currie, MacAllan, MacBurie, MacEachin, MacGeachie, MacGeachin, MacIssac, MacKeachan, Mackechnie, MacKeochan, MacKessock, MacKichan, MacKissock, MacMurrich, MacVarish, MacVurrich, MacVurie. Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan: Johnson, Kean, Keene. Clan MacDonald of Glencoe: Henderson, Johnson, Kean, Keene, MacHenry, MacIan, MacKean.

Clan MacDonell
Alexander, Sanderson. Clan MacDonnell of Keppoch: MacGillivantic, MacGilp, Macglasrich, MacKillop, MacPhilip, Philipson, Ronald, Ronaldson.

Clan MacDougall
Carmichael, Conacher, Cowan, Dougall, Dowall, Livingston, Livingstone, MacConacher, MacCowan, MacCoul, MacCulloch, MacDowall, MacDowell, MacDulothe, MacEwen, MacEwan, MacEowen, MacOwen MacHowell, MacKichan, MacLucas, MacLugash, MacLulich, MacNamell, Macoul, Macowl.

Clan MacDuff
Duff, Fife, Fyfe, Spence, Spens, Wemyss.

Clan MacFarlane
Allan, Allanson, Bartholomew, Caw, Galbraith, Griesck, Gruamach, Kinnieson, Lennox, MacAindra, MacAllan, MacCaa, MacCause, MacCaw, MacCondy, MacEoin, MacGaw, MacGeoch, Macgreusich, Macinstalker, MacIock, MacJames, Mackinlay, MacNair, MacNeur, MacNider, MacNiter, MacRob, MacRobb, MacWalter, MacWilliam, Miller, Monach, Napier, Parlane, Robb, Stalker, Thomason, Weaver, Weir.

Clan Macfie
Duffie, Duffy, MacGuffie, Machaffie

Clan MacGillivray
Gilroy, MacGillivour, MacGilroy, MacGilvra, MacGilvray, Macilroy, Macilvrae.

Clan MacGregor
Black, Caird, Comrie, Fletcher, Gregor, Gregorson, Gregory, Greig, Grewar, Grier, Grierson, Grigor, Gruer, King, Leckie, Lecky, MacAdam, Macara, Macaree, MacChoiter, Maccrouther, Macgrewar, Macgrowther, Macgruder, Macgruther, Macilduy, MacLeister, MacLiver, MacNee, MacNeish, MacNie, MacNish, MacPeter, Malloch, Neish, Nish, Peter, White, Whyte.

Clan Macinnes
Angus, MacAngus, MacCainsh, MacCansh, MacMaster.

Clan MacIntyre
Tyre, MacTear, Wright, McEntire

Clan MacKay
Bain, Bayne, MacCay, MacCrie, Macghee, Macghie, Mackee, Machie, MacPhail, Macquery, Macquoid, Macvail, Neilson, Paul, Polson, Williamson.

Clan MacKenzie
Kenneth, Kennethson, MacBeolain, MacConnach, MacIver, MacIvor, MacKerlich, MacMurchie, MacMurchy, MacVanish, MacVinish, Murchie, Murchison.

Clan MacKinnon
Love, Mackinney, Mackinning, Kackinvan, MacMorran.

Clan MacKintosh
Adamson, Ayson, Combie, Crerar, Dallas, Doles, Elder, Esson, Glen, Glennie, Hardie, Hardy, MacAndrew, MacAy, MacCardney, MacCombie, MacCombe, MacComie, M'Conchy, Macglashan, Machardie, Machardy, MacHay, Mackeggie, M'Killican, MacNiven, MacOmie, Macritchie, MacThomas, Niven, Noble, Paul, Ritchie, Seawright, Siveright, Shaw, Tarrill, Tosh, Toshach.

Clan MacLachlan
Ewan, Ewen, Ewing, Gilchrist, Lachlan, Lauchlan, MacEwan, MacEwen, MacGilchrist.

Clan MacLaren
McLaren, MacLaurin, MacLaurin, MacLauren, McLauren, McLarin, McCLarin, MacLaran, McLaran, MacLaruan, MacLeran, MacLaurie, McLaurie, Laurence, Lawrence, Law, Lawson, Low, Lowe, Lawrie, Laurie, Lowery, Lowry, Faed, Patterson, Paterson, Peterson, McPater, Patrick, MacPatrick, MacRory, McCrory, McGory, MacRuari, Wright, MacGrory, Peterkin and Borison.

Clan MacLean
Beath, Beaton, Black, Lean, MacBeath, MacBheath, MacBeth, Macilduy, MacLergain, MacRankin, MacVeagh, MacVey, Rankin.

Clan MacLennan
Gilfiman, Gillfiman, Gilfillian, Gilliland, Lagan, Laggan, Lenan, Lennan, Lennon, Leonard, Leonerd, Loban, Lobban, Logan, Loggan, Lyndon, MacAlenon, MacAlinion, MacAlinden, MacAlonan, MacClanachan, MacClanchan, MacClaron, MacClennen, MacClendon, MacGilillan, MacKilligan, MacLarnon, MacLenagan, MacLenahan, MacLenadhan, MacLenden, MacLendon, MacLennon, MacLernon, MacLoran, MacLorinan, MacLyndon, MacWilname, McClenaghan, McClendal, McClendas, McClendon, McLandon, McLendall, McLendon, McLennon, MackLenddon, MackClenden, MackLendin, MackLendon, MacLendall, Meclendon, Mclendon, Winan, Winning, and Winton.

Clan MacLeod
Clan MacLeod of Harris: Beaton, Bethune, Beton, MacCaig, MacClure, MacCrimmon, MacGuiag, MacHarold, Macraild, Norman. Clan MacLeod of Lewis: Callum, Lewis, MacAskill, MacAulay, MacCallum, MacCAskill, MacCorkindale, MacCorquodale, MacLewis, MacNicol, Malcolmson, Nicholl, Nicol, Nicoll, Nicholson, Nicolson, Tolmie.

Clan MacMillan
Baxter, Bell, Blue, Brown, Millikin/Mullikin, MacBaxter, MacNamell.

Clan MacNab
Abbot, Abbotson, Dewar, Gilfillan, Macandeoir

Clan MacNaughton
Ayson, Bissett, Easson, Ferguson, Henderson, Hendrie, Hendry, Henerdie, Henerdy, Henrie, Henry, Kendrich, Kendrick, Kinrick, MacAire, MacAirey, MacAirie, MacAiry, MacAnir, MacAry, MacAys, MacBrayn, MacBrayne, MacBreen, MacBrine, MacBrinn, MacCachren, MacCarhy, MacCarie, MacCarken, MacCarrie, MacCarry, MacCary, MacCavic, MacCavick, MacCeol, MacClackuon, MacCoal, MacColl, MacCrackan, MacCrackans, MacCracken, MacCracken, MacCrackens, MacCrackin, MacCrackin, MacCrackins, MacCracktin, MacCracktine, MacCraken, MacCratic, MacCratick, MacCrocken, MacCrocklin, MacEal, MacEel, MacFergusse, MacGrachin, MacGrattan, MacGratten, MacGrattin, MacGreachain, MacGreachan, MacHanvichar, MacHarrie, MacHarry, MacHendrie, MacHendry, MacHenrie, MacHenry, MacImery, MacImmery, MacInerie, MacInery, MacInrye, MacIntaylor, MacInterrie, MacInterry, MacIntrye, MacKay, MacKendrich, MacKendrick, MacKendricks, MacKenerick, MacKenerie, MacKenery, MacKindrick, MacKindricks, MacKinrick, MacKnatt, MacKneight, MacKnigh, MacKnight, MacKnot, MacKracherne, MacMath, MacMitt, MacNac, MacNachdan, MacNachtan, MacNachten, MacNachton, MacNack, MacNagen, MacNaghtan, MacNaghten, MacNaghtin, MacNaight, MacNair, MacNairy, MacNamell, MacNammill, MacNarie, MacNary, MacNatt, MacNattie, MacNatton, MacNatty, MacNauchton, MacNaugh, MacNaught, MacNaughtan, MacNaughten, MacNaughton, MacNayer, MacNayre, MacNear, MacNeid, MacNeight, MacNeir, MacNerie, MacNery, MacNet, MacNete, MacNett, MacNette, MacNetten, MacNetton, MacNeur, MacNevens, MacNevin, MacNevins, MacNight, MacNitt, MacNivan, MacNivans, MacNiven, MacNorton, MacNott, MacNought, MacNoughtan, MacNoughton, MacNoyer, MacNuir, MacNut, MacNutt, MacNuyer, MacPortland, MacQuaig, MacQuake, MacQuaker, MacRac, MacRack, MacRacken, MacRackin, MacRagan, MacRaggan, MacReachain, MacReachan, MacRuck, MacRucke, MacVicar, MacVickar, MacVickars, MacVicker, MacVickers, MacVig, MacVige, MacVrine, MacVryne, MacWaughton, MacYole, MacYoll, Manaugh, Mannice, Mannis, Mannise, Nachtan, Nachten, Nactan, Nacten, Naghton, Natton, Naughten, Naughtie, Naughton, Naughty, Nechtan, Nechten, Nectan, Necten, Nevin, Nevins, Nevinson, Niven, Nivens, Nivenson, Nought, Nucater, Nucator, Nutt, Porter, Weir.

Clan MacNeil
MacNeilage, MacNeiledge, MacNelly, Neal, Neil, Neill.

Clan MacPherson
Currie, Fersen, Gillespie, Gillies, Gow, Lees, MacCurrach, MacGowan, MacLeish, LacLise, MacMurdo, MacMurdoch, MacMurrich, MacVurrich, Murdoch, Murdoson.

Clan MacQuarrie
MacCorrie, MacCorry, MacGorrie, MacGorry, MacGuaran, MacGuire, Macquaire, Macquhirr, Macquire, MacWhirr, Wharrie.

Clan MacQueen
MacCunn, MacSwan, MacSwen, MacSween, MacSwyde, Swan.

Clan MacRae
Macara, MacCraw, Macra, Macrach, MacRaith, MacRath, Rae.

Clan MacTavish
MacCamish, MacCash, MacCosh, MacLaws, MacLehose, MacTammany, MacTause, Stephenson, Steven(s), Stevenson, Stevenston, Stivan, Taweson, Tawesson, Thom, Thomson, Thompson, Thomas, Thomasin, Thomason, Thomassine. Thomazin, Thomerson, Thomes, Thompson, Thomson, Todd.

Tribe of Mar
Marr, Mair, Mairs, Morren, Strachan, Tough

Clan Mathieson
MacMath, MacPhun, Mathie.

Clan Maxwell
Adair, Blackstock, Dinwiddie, Dinwoddie, Edgar, Herries, Kirk, Kirkland, Latimer, Latimore, Mackittrick, Maxton, Mescall, Monreith, Moss, Nithdale, Paulk, Peacock, Pollock, Pollok, Polk, Sturgeon, Wardlaw

Clan Menzies
Dewar, Macindeor, MacMenzies, MacMinn, MacMonies, Means, Mein, Meine, Mennie, Meyners, Minn, Minnus, Monzie.

Clan Munro
Dingwall, Foulis, MacCulloch, MacLulich, Vass, Wass.

Clan Morrison
Brieve, Gilmore, MacBrieve

Clan Murray
MacMurray, Moray, Rattray, Small, Spalding

Clan Ogilvie
Airlie, Gilchrist, MacGilchrist, Milne

Clan Pentland
Pentlend, Paintland, Petland, Penland, Penlend, Petlend, Pendland.

Clan Robertson
Collier, Colyear, Dobinson, Donachie, Duncan, Duncanson, Dunnachie, Inches, MacConachie, MacConnechy, MacDonachie, Macinroy, MacIver, MacIvor, Maclagen, MacRobbie, MacRobie, MacRobert, Reid, Roy, Stark, Tonnochy

Clan Ross
Anderson, Andrew, Dingwall, Gillanders, MacAndrew, MacCulloch, MacLulich, MacTaggart, MacTear, MacTier, MacTire, Taggart, Vass, Wass

Clan Sinclair
Caird, Clouston, Clyne, Linklater, Mason

Clan Skene
Cariston, Dis, Dyce, Hallyard, Norie

Clan Stewart
Boyd, Garrow, Menteith, Monteith, Carmichael, Hunter, MacMichael. Stewart, Appin: Carmichael, Combich, Livingston, Livingstone, MacCombich, Mackinlay, Maclae, Maclay, Maclea, Macleay, MacMichael. Stewart, Atholl: Crookshanks, Cruickshank, Duilach, Gray, Macglashan Stewart Lennox: Howkins

Clan Sutherland
Cheyne, Federith, Gray, Keith, Mowat, Duffus

Clan Watson
Belboys, Boas, Boece, Boeis, Boes, Boess, Boice, Boiss, Boiste, Boos, Boost, Bos, Bouse, Boust, Bowayse, Bowes, Bowis, Bows, Bowys, Boyce, Boyes, Boyess, Boyis, Boys, Boyse, Boze, Buist, Buste, DeBosco, MacQuat, MacQuattie, MacQuhat, MacQwat, MacRowatt, MacWalter, MacWater, MacWatson, MacWatt, MacWatters, MacWattie, Vatsoun, Vod, Vode, Void, Voud, Voude, Vould, Walter, Walterson, Wasson, Waters, Waterson, Watson, Watsone, Watsoun, Watt, Wattie, Wattson, Wod, Wode, Wodde, Woid, Woide, Wood, Woyd, Wyatt.


HISTORY OF SCOTTISH TARTANS

There is great debate on the origin of the word "tartan." It could have come from the Irish "tarsna", which meant crosswise, or the Scottish Gaelic "tarsuinn", meaning across. Or it could simply mean cloth, from the old French "tartaine".

What we know is, long before there were individual Scottish clans and tartans, the Celts loved bright colors and patterned cloth. Later the Scots incorporated this love for color into a unique plaid cloth. Only in recent history have particular patterns been associated with particular districts, army regiments, and, of course, Scottish clans.

Prior to around 1700, there is no historical reason to associate particular patterns with particular people or places, but it is clear that plaid cloth was made and worn throughout the Highlands and had been for hundreds of years.

By 1746, clan tartans were so closely associated with Highlanders and clan loyalty that their wearing was banned by the English after the Scots' defeat at Culloden until 1782. Interestingly, this was the time when many of the famous Highland Regiments were being formed, and they were allowed to select and wear a regimental tartan (for example, Black Watch).

The idea may have been to wean loyalty away from the clan and towards the British empire. Some of these regimental tartans later became family tartans.

When the wearing of the tartan was again permitted, there developed a keen interest in reestablishing or reinventing family tartans, beginning with the Highlanders and later spreading to all of Scotland.

King George IV and Queen Victoria both fell in love with the Highlander image as popularized by Sir Walter Scott, and greatly encouraged the adoption of this cultural symbol. Today, there are around 2800 tartans listed in the Scottish Heritage World Register - including ones for football clubs, individual towns, clans, and military regiments.

Sometimes, when we discover that Scottish tartans are not ancient, it "takes the shine off" our interest. In this caseFree Articles, it really shouldn't. The wearing of the tartan and linking the patterns (called setts) to particular families has done so much to unite Scottish culture world-wide and to reestablish our connections with our ancestors and with our fellow "Scots of the diaspora."

It is good to care about the past and to connect with our cultural roots and traditions. And there is no doubt at all that the Highlanders invented these wonderful plaids. Find your tartan and wear it with pride!

April 6 is National Tartan Day in the United States - a perfect opportunity to show off your Scottish heritage.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeri Ballast is a work-at-home mom, using her degree is history to create the http://www.heartoscotland.com website in honor of her Scottish ancestors.

This article first appeared in Articles Factory.

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