Wow this thread was hitting on what I was thinking and the specific question I had as well. My last name is Nielson. Nielson name technically appears as a sept in clans MacKay, Gunn and one of the accepted spelling variation of MacNeil clan. Yet I know from a bit of research that my great great grandfather Joseph Nielson came on a boat to america from Denmark around 1883 and settled in minnesota. In my case Nielson name has no scottish association as far as I've seen. In my heart I don't feel enough of a connection to wear any of those particular clan tartans just because I have the associated names. Even though I probably could technically do it with that last name if I wanted to as far as I understand the rules. Or am I wrong? I started to compete in highland games just this year and need to wear a kilt. Not just that I have to but I've come to like wearing the kilt. I enjoy the bagpipes and the scottish highland games culture just as many of you do. I have a fashion kilt that is my first kilt I have ever owned. I felt kind of limited in my choices at first but I've just gotten used to it. I think for me It's very important for me to be totally honest about who I am no matter if I feel somewhat out of place sometimes on this forum or at the games.