Which family tartan

[FreakPower70]

Hello

I had always assumed when choosing your family tartan you went with your own family name, or fathers name (should you have your father name as a surname). But when I went to a kilt store the young lady informed me that the custom was actually to use your mothers name. So which is it? And if there are any other family rules of thumb please let me in on it.

Thanks
FP

[george7]

It's really up to you, not some lady who works at a kilt shop. I've always thought it was male lineage, as well, being that's how the clan system works.

[Dirk Skene]

It does not matter. My clan association is through my mom. Dad's name is English. Most folks I know are associated to a clan by their father's name.

[Phil]

The Picts, early inhabitants of Scotland, were a matriarchal society where land and possessions passed down through the female line. It may be this is what is behind what you were told, although more recent clans were run along male lines much as today's society. Marriage probably wasn't such a big thing until fairly recent times, however, and a man marrying into a clan may have taken on the name of that clan the same as his partner.

[Riverkilt]

Ain't no rules. None.

I really enjoy wearing the tartans of clans I'm descended from. To do that you gotta honor the maternal lines too. Is a man less a man somehow to his daughter's children than to his son's? I think not.

Been pretty much my rule that if someone throws a rule at me I duck and ignore it and figure they don't know much.

The only rule is no rules. Enjoy the FREEDOM

Ron

[Mair of the Tribe of Mar]

I really enjoy wearing the tartans of clans I'm descended from. To do that you gotta honor the maternal lines too. Is a man less a man somehow to his daughter's children than to his son's? I think not.

I completely agree with RiverKilt! Personally, I believe that you should wear a tartan because you like the looks of it, not because some peddler tells you which one is associated with your family.

That being said, there is also a great sense of pride of wearing a kilt, clan badge, etc, of a clan or family you are associatted with. And with more family connections to kilts, that means the more kilts you are going to have to buy! Oh well!!

[Jock Scot]

If you so choose,going down the male line is usual.

[Phogfan86]

As long as you wear it with respect and pride, wear whatever you want. But it is true: there's a little extra spring in your step when the clan tartan you have on is yours.

[northernsky]

Today I received my new box pleated Davidson (Ancient) kilt made by Robert Macdonald of Vancouver. It is absolutely gorgeous, and is the tartan of my maternal grandmother's family. It will be worn with pride and honour just as my Mackinnon's are.

[Wompet]

... My clan association is through my mom. Dad's name is English.

My case is similar - my main Scottish line is from my mother, with my father's side being primarily English. So I had a tartan designed in his family name.