Scottish Clans

[KristyAnne]

What Scottish Clan names are people researching? My most direct one is Ritchie, a sept of the MacKintosh clan. I can find a heap of information on the MacKintoshes, but am having trouble finding out exactly how the name Ritchie is related to it. My mother said she read once that a MacKintosh son went and formed the Ritchie clan, but that's it. I want the scandal behind the story, darnit!

Any suggestions as to where I could find this information? If not on the internet, how about books that might be useful? Also, is there a different tartan for the name Ritchie? I've only found the MacKintosh one.

Other Scottish names that I am researching are Murray, Campbell, Robertson, Nicol, and Paterson.

Is anybody else researching Scottish names?

Kristy

 

[HolyGuardianAngels]

What Scottish Clan names are people researching? My most direct one is Ritchie, a sept of the MacKintosh clan. I can find a heap of information on the MacKintoshes, but am having trouble finding out exactly how the name Ritchie is related to it. My mother said she read once that a MacKintosh son went and formed the Ritchie clan, but that's it. I want the scandal behind the story, darnit!

Any suggestions as to where I could find this information? If not on the internet, how about books that might be useful? Also, is there a different tartan for the name Ritchie? I've only found the MacKintosh one.

Other Scottish names that I am researching are Murray, Campbell, Robertson, Nicol, and Paterson.

Is anybody else researching Scottish names?

Kristy

I'm very interested in Clan Wallace... How can I find out about the "tarten"/family plaid and what it actually looked like??

I saw BRAVEHEART and am reading the book, BRAVE HEART... I think he (William Wallace) should be a Saint... Have you seen the movie or read about him!!

 

[Darkhorse]

Many times, the clan members changed their names for political reasons (that is, not being hunted down and killed), rather than because of a scandal. To my knowledge, the tartans always remain the same, which would be the tartan of the original (ancient) clan. There are many excellent books (and probably websites) cataloging the tartans, names, and histories, but the only one I can think of is The Clans and Tartans of Scotland, which may still be in print.

I am new to web-based geneology, but I have been tracing my Scottish roots for some time - my clans include one of those you have mentioned (I'd rather not say which, due to privacy). If I remember correctly, MacIntosh is one of the many (political) variations of Robertson. I hate to break it to you, but Campbell is the most hated clan in Scotland, due to some treachery against several other clans, which culminated in the Battle of Glencoe (circa 1575), and the loss of much ancestral land, especially from the MacDonalds.

Good luck in your search, and since we're probably related, we may cross paths again!

 

[KristyAnne]

Darkhorse, thank you for your response.

Were you referring to "Clans and Tartans of Scotland" by Iain Zaczek? I actually own this book, but I imagine that there have probably be several books of the same name published over the years. This book offeres no Ritchie information, it just mentioned the association with Mackintosh. On the net I've only managed to find the Mackintosh tartan.

I'm cuious to know what name you're researching, but I understand your desire for privacy. All of my Scots apart from PATERSON (which are my DH's, from Dundee), were from Aberdeenshire (Fraserburgh/Peterhead/Rosehearty) and Caithness (Thurso).

HolyGuardianAngels, I've seen "Braveheart", but have never really researched the history of William Wallace. Here's what my clans and tartans book says about the name Wallace:

"The name Wallace derives from the Latin term 'Wallensis', which normally means Welsh. In this case, however, it denotes the Britons of Strathclyde, who came from the same racial stock. The family can be traced back to Richard Wallace of Riccarton, who owned land in Ayrshire in the 12th century. He was the great-great-grandfather of William Wallace (1274-1305), who won a resounding victory against the English at Sterling Bridge in 1297. After this, Wallace was hunted down and captured; tried for treason; and then hanged, drawn, and quartered. As a final indignity, his head was put on public display at London Bridge."

There is also a picture of the Wallace tartan. I would scan it in and attach it, however my computer is playing up (I had to re-boot it about seven times just to get it to connect to the internet *grr*). I'm sure that you will be able to find it somewhere on the net. If not, I hope that a description will suffice (I'm horrible at descriptions though, sorry in advance). It's red with thick black lines across it; then thin black lines across the red in between the thick black lines. On top of the thick black lines alternate thin white and yellow lines. Okay, that was horrible, but you were warned The caption underneath says "This tartan was first recorded in the 'Vertiarium Scoticum', published in 1842".

Kristy

 

[Theresasjourney]

My daughter has been researching the MacDonald clan~~even went to Scotland.
We have the macdonald crest and tartan plaid for our specific clan.

 

[VioletAngel]

I have what I believe are Irish names in our family genealogy. However, I was wondering how one can tell the difference between Scottish and Irish names? We have names like Scott, McCombs, Hoard/Howard, Boren (I know that one is Irish for a fact)... and a few others.

 

[HolyGuardianAngels]

Many times, the clan members changed their names for political reasons (that is, not being hunted down and killed), rather than because of a scandal. To my knowledge, the tartans always remain the same, which would be the tartan of the original (ancient) clan. There are many excellent books (and probably websites) cataloging the tartans, names, and histories, but the only one I can think of is The Clans and Tartans of Scotland, which may still be in print.

I am new to web-based geneology, but I have been tracing my Scottish roots for some time - my clans include one of those you have mentioned (I'd rather not say which, due to privacy). If I remember correctly, MacIntosh is one of the many (political) variations of Robertson. I hate to break it to you, but Campbell is the most hated clan in Scotland, due to some treachery against several other clans, which culminated in the Battle of Glencoe (circa 1575), and the loss of much ancestral land, especially from the MacDonalds.

Good luck in your search, and since we're probably related, we may cross paths again!

Hi...

Thank-you sooo very much, for the information ... but, one question... Why do you say what you said about the name "Campbell"??... Is that name related to William Wallace?? Wasn't William Wallace a HERO & considered a Guardian of Scotland?? ~The Movie: Braveheart does not depict him as "hated" by the Scots!! Please explain!!

 

[HolyGuardianAngels]

Darkhorse, thank you for your response.

Were you referring to "Clans and Tartans of Scotland" by Iain Zaczek? I actually own this book, but I imagine that there have probably be several books of the same name published over the years. This book offeres no Ritchie information, it just mentioned the association with Mackintosh. On the net I've only managed to find the Mackintosh tartan.

I'm cuious to know what name you're researching, but I understand your desire for privacy. All of my Scots apart from PATERSON (which are my DH's, from Dundee), were from Aberdeenshire (Fraserburgh/Peterhead/Rosehearty) and Caithness (Thurso).

HolyGuardianAngels, I've seen "Braveheart", but have never really researched the history of William Wallace. Here's what my clans and tartans book says about the name Wallace:

"The name Wallace derives from the Latin term 'Wallensis', which normally means Welsh. In this case, however, it denotes the Britons of Strathclyde, who came from the same racial stock. The family can be traced back to Richard Wallace of Riccarton, who owned land in Ayrshire in the 12th century. He was the great-great-grandfather of William Wallace (1274-1305), who won a resounding victory against the English at Sterling Bridge in 1297. After this, Wallace was hunted down and captured; tried for treason; and then hanged, drawn, and quartered. As a final indignity, his head was put on public display at London Bridge."

There is also a picture of the Wallace tartan. I would scan it in and attach it, however my computer is playing up (I had to re-boot it about seven times just to get it to connect to the internet *grr*). I'm sure that you will be able to find it somewhere on the net. If not, I hope that a description will suffice (I'm horrible at descriptions though, sorry in advance). It's red with thick black lines across it; then thin black lines across the red in between the thick black lines. On top of the thick black lines alternate thin white and yellow lines. Okay, that was horrible, but you were warned The caption underneath says "This tartan was first recorded in the 'Vertiarium Scoticum', published in 1842".

Kristy

Wow!! What great information... Thank-you!!

~Because of the courage of William Wallace I have come to admire the Scottish peoples... I am now planning to visit Scotland someday!! Have you ever?


~And I understand they are currently "fighting" for their independence from England... yet, in the movie: Braveheart it appeared that, that, is what William Wallace help them to achieve. How did England come into the picture again?



btw: I searched the net, but, no luck ... Think I'll try again and spend more time...

 

[Darkhorse]

KristyAnne: my copy of The Clans and Tartans of Scotland was written by Robert Bain, and has good color plates of the plaids, but its histories are pretty minimal. I have recently moved, and most of my books are not unpacked yet.

HolyGuardianAngels: My comments about the Campbell clan have nothing to do with William Wallace or the Wallace clan; as far as I know, they are not related. KristyAnne was researching the name "Campbell", and I wanted to prepare her for some of the negativism she may encounter in doing so. My knowledge of William Wallace is minimal, but he and many other Brave Hearts defended Scotland from England, until a treaty was signed about 1705 (I forget its name), which essentially united England and Scotland, as they remain today. This was quite a concession for Scotland, who successfully resisted conquest by the Romans. Rome conquered England and Ireland, but never Scotland. In fact, the emperor Hadrian (c. 300 AD) built a wall between England and Scotland to keep the Scots out!

Paisley Rose: you might check territorial maps of Ireland and Scotland, which show the ancient territories of the various families, and see where the names in question appear. My wife considers herself Irish, but some of her family names appear in Scotland and not in Ireland. Try to ascertain the religion of each family, too; most Irish are Catholic, and most Scots are Presbyterian, but not all, of course. In tracking Irish geneologies, the specific counties of Ireland are important.

 

[KristyAnne]

HolyGuardianAngels, following are some links where you can find the Wallace tartan and some additional information on the name:

http://www.rampantscotland.com/clans/blclanwallace.htm

http://www.scotclans.com/clans/Wallace/tartan.html

http://www.cadadh.co.uk/tartans/wallace.html

God Bless.

Kristy

 

[robbie3945]

My interest is in the surname Robinson which is, I hope, primarily Irish. But Robinson is also a tribe of the clan of Gunn. The Gunn tartan most closely resembles a giant bruise - very becoming.
And I guess I'd rather be Irish anyway than be a son of a Gunn.

 

[BlandOatmeal]

My interest is in the surname Robinson which is, I hope, primarily Irish. But Robinson is also a tribe of the clan of Gunn. The Gunn tartan most closely resembles a giant bruise - very becoming.
And I guess I'd rather be Irish anyway than be a son of a Gunn.

I've never met a son of a Gunn!

I once let out my clan affiliation to a piper at a Robbie Burns day celebration. He hurled insults at me. Some things are best kept to one's self.

 

[HiredGoon]

I have Scottish ancestors from at least three clans that I know of; Douglas, Dixon (a sept of Keith), and Urquhart.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

I'm very interested in Clan Wallace... How can I find out about the "tarten"/family plaid and what it actually looked like??

This site might help you:

http://www.tartans.com/

While Googling I found this:

http://www.scotclans.com/clans/Wallace/tartan.html

I don't know how reliable it is though.

As for the movie's accuracy check here.

Diane

 

[leothelioness]

I hate to break it to you, but Campbell is the most hated clan in Scotland, due to some treachery against several other clans, which culminated in the Battle of Glencoe (circa 1575), and the loss of much ancestral land, especially from the MacDonalds.

Yep. I have never liked the Campbells.

My ancestors were a sept of Clan Cameron who were allies of Clan Macdonald. Not only did the Macdonalds suffer under the Campbells, but so did my ancestors.

 

[leothelioness]

I once let out my clan affiliation to a piper at a Robbie Burns day celebration. He hurled insults at me. Some things are best kept to one's self.

Actually it's Rabbie Burns, not Robbie.

BTW, what clan are you associated with and what clan did that man happen to be from? Just curious.

 

[little_lily613]

My great-great grandfather immigrated to here from Scotland. His last name was Bowie. I don't know if that is a name of a clan or not though....

 

[leothelioness]

My great-great grandfather immigrated to here from Scotland. His last name was Bowie. I don't know if that is a name of a clan or not though....

It's not. Although it might be a sept.

 

[yesterdog]

I'm a Son of a Gunn...!!!

Any other Gunns here?

My line actually doesn't trace back to Scotland for some time...my direct ancestor Thomas Gunn was one of the founders of Windsor, Connecticut in 1630. His grandfather (from what I was able to learn some years back) was Alexander and came from Scotland...moved down to the area of Windsor, England. The family then moved to the New Country of America.

I've got my kilt back in my boyhood home. I will have to bring it out here to the west coast eventually. I actually really like wearing it...it's very comfortable, and I've got no issues admitting it!!!

 

[yesterdog]

My interest is in the surname Robinson which is, I hope, primarily Irish. But Robinson is also a tribe of the clan of Gunn. The Gunn tartan most closely resembles a giant bruise - very becoming.
And I guess I'd rather be Irish anyway than be a son of a Gunn.

...a fellow Son of a Gunn!

It's a pleasure, sir. I agree, it's a lovely tartan. As you know, Aut Pax ~ Aut Bellum!!!

The Gunn motto is "It's either Peace or War."