Clan Wallace tartans

**ardchoille77** · 15th May 07, 05:27 AM

Just had a question: My 10th great grandfather, Sir Roger Kirkpatrick and Sir William Wallace were cousins. Sir William Wallaces mother Sir Roger Kirkpatrick's mother were sisters. Does this allow me to wear the Clan Wallace tartans? I know that Sir William Wallace does not have any existing descendants, however with my connection with the Wallace family, does that make any difference.

Let me know your thoughts and opinions

Mike

**mddock58** · 15th May 07, 05:33 AM

Remember, there are NO restrictions on what tartan you may or may not wear (the only exception is the tartan for the royal family). Some tartans my need permission to acquire the fabric, but that is not normally a problem.

You should know about the tartan you are wearing, and if you wish, you may ask the Clan Chief for permission, but it is not necessary.

Honor the family whose tartan it represents, so go ahead, wear the Wallace!

**cajunscot** · 15th May 07, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by ardchoille77

Just had a question: My 10th great grandfather, Sir Roger Kirkpatrick and Sir William Wallace were cousins. Sir William Wallaces mother Sir Roger Kirkpatrick's mother were sisters. Does this allow me to wear the Clan Wallace tartans? I know that Sir William Wallace does not have any existing descendants, however with my connection with the Wallace family, does that make any difference.

Let me know your thoughts and opinions

Mike

Moved thread to heraldry & tartans section. Please post all tartan-related threads here.

Thanks!

Todd

**McMurdo** · 15th May 07, 05:42 AM

I would say with that kind of connection you have more than enough "right" to wear the tartan. Personally, though I would say that even if you did not have that connection you would be well within your rights to wear it. Heck it sells in the economy line from Stillwater, anyone can wear it.

**MacWage** · 15th May 07, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by ardchoille77

Just had a question: My 10th great grandfather, Sir Roger Kirkpatrick and Sir William Wallace were cousins. Sir William Wallaces mother Sir Roger Kirkpatrick's mother were sisters. Does this allow me to wear the Clan Wallace tartans? I know that Sir William Wallace does not have any existing descendants, however with my connection with the Wallace family, does that make any difference.

Let me know your thoughts and opinions

Mike

I'll answer this way:
By HOW you phrased the question, it looks like you DESIRE to wear the Wallace tartan (for a MUCH better reason than "I like the colors"). You have also established SOME filial/familial connection to a relevant Wallace.
So, I'd say go ahead. Your "reason" would satisfy and honor most Wallaces.
My own Wallace ties was my great-great grandmother's family (A Wallace girl married a Neel, whose girl married a Wilson, whose son's daughter is my mother).
Some wear Wallace in honor of THE William Wallace (1300, or so), but with NO family ties WHATSOEVER.

Side question, I am wondering about your research and which William Wallace you traced back to. There just does't seem to be quite enough generations to get back to the one from the 13th/14th century bridge (unless my math is off somehow, a few things are on my mind at the moment). Also, the most famous William Wallace's own family is a LARGE matter of debate. For generations, it was thought he was a lower son of a Malcolm Wallace (by hereditary laws-> meaning 3rd, 4th, and so on, maybe even 2nd born in some periods-the second born's inheritance would be different in different periods). However, recent work on the Wallace artifacts included cleaning William's great seal and revealed the back, which said, "Son of Andrew" and showed a bowsman (hunter?), or was it a bow and arrow (again, my mind is preoccupied and I forget).
I'd LOVE to hear more about the research, even if by PM or email.

**Cawdorian** · 15th May 07, 06:40 AM

If you want to wear the Wallace tartan because of your connection, by all means do so. You know the story behind the tartan and your family. Wear it with pride.

I'm going to have to agree with MacWage, I believe your math is off, Sir Roger Kirkpatrick should be about your 21st or 22nd GGF, if he is the one who was a cousin of THE William Wallace.

I would also be interested in your research.

**Kiltedmusiclover** · 15th May 07, 07:29 AM

Hi Mike,

He is the info from the Clan Wallace Page.

"Membership in the Clan Wallace Society is extended to the Clan and Family of Wallace (various spellings), those related to them by blood or by marriage, and to anyone else having an interest in the purposes of the Society, which are: Educational, with emphasis on the history of Scotland, its public figures, such as Sir William Wallace, the National Hero of Scotland who suffered martydom for his country in 1305, its Clans and the heritage and achievements of those of Scottish descent. "

If you want to join Clan Wallace

http://www.clanwallace.org/member/index.html

I am NOT saying that you have to join Clan Wallace to wear the tartan.
Only with your connection you may want to join. It certainly makes going to games more fun where the clan is participating.

**ardchoille77** · 15th May 07, 07:49 AM

I think you may be right. I actually had 2 Sir Roger Kirkpatrick's in my family history, so maybe it is 22 or 23rd great grandfather I was speaking of. It gets kind of complicated when you have two people of the same name that were both "Sirs". One of the Sir Roger's, were lord of closeburn, but I haven't had a chance to do any further research about the other one. I will provide you guys with more info once I can dig a little deeper into the family history.

Thanks a bunch

Mike

**Mr. MacDougall** · 15th May 07, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by Kiltedmusiclover

Here is the info from the Clan Wallace Page.

"Membership in the Clan Wallace Society is extended to [...]

anyone whose check for membership dues doesn't bounce."

Which, really, is my observation about most clan societies, including my own.

**Rampant Lion** · 15th May 07, 08:09 AM

I think we should be careful how we use terms. There is a big difference between being a part of Clan Wallace and being a member of the Clan Wallace Society. Being of Clan Wallace is based on a blood and/or a marriage relation(possibly others); basically it's being related. Being a member of a Clan Society just means you're "part of the club."

As for the wearing the tartan. If you want to wear the tartan, by all means wear the tartan. Personally, I prefer to have some sort of connection to a tartan that I wear, but that's me. No one is going to stop you from wearing any particular tartan. Although it is suggested that if you are wearing a tartan you should try to learn some of the history associated with it. It just helps in case someone does happen to get in your face about it.