Fergusons and MacLarens?

[lethearen]

I haven't had much luck finding information linking these two clans, but I admit that I've only really done cursory searches.

I know that the Ferguson and MacLaren tartans differ only in that the latter has a yellow stripe whereas the former has a white. Otherwise they're identical. For those unfamiliar with either tartan, my avatar is Ferguson; replace the white with yellow and you have MacLaren.

I also know that both clans had allegiances to Murray of Atholl. But other than raising arms for the same cause, does anyone know if the Fergusons and MacLarens are intertwined or of the same stock?

Mostly, I'm curious if there's a reason they both choose to use almost identical tartans. Surely that must have caused some confusion at some point -- white and yellow must have looked pretty similar.

[Woodsheal]

Actually, the MacLarens were closely alligned with the Stewarts of Appin, and were from the same region, not Atholl. Not sure about the Fergussons....

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I can add that the MacLaren tartan originally was called "Regency." It was a fashion tartan sold by Wilsons of Bannockburn in the nineteenth century. They began to sell it under the name MacLaren after the Regency period ended (and the name became less relevant).

[lethearen]

Well I can see that my basic assumptions were wrong Guess there's much more research to do!

Thanks Brian & Matt!

[figheadair]

I can add that the MacLaren tartan originally was called "Regency." It was a fashion tartan sold by Wilsons of Bannockburn in the nineteenth century. They began to sell it under the name MacLaren after the Regency period ended (and the name became less relevant).

Matt,

Wilsons named it Reget after the Prince Reget, later King George IV, rather Regencey.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Peter,

Thanks for the correction -- the actual name of the tartan being "Regent" not "Regency."

Often times when my mind tells my fingers what to type, it would seem that my fingers have another idea entirely. :-)

[wildrover]

I can add that the MacLaren tartan originally was called "Regency." It was a fashion tartan sold by Wilsons of Bannockburn in the nineteenth century. They began to sell it under the name MacLaren after the Regency period ended (and the name became less relevant).

But but but...I thought it was a tartan with hundreds and hundreds of years of family history!

Oh wait, this is 2010.

No wonder it looks so good ...starting as a designer tartan and all .

-Sean with the MacLaren tank