Family Name and Clan

**Ryan Nielson** · 16th July 08, 01:58 PM

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.

**gilmore** · 16th July 08, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Nielson

...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.

I can respect that it's important for you to be honest about who you are. It's refreshing.

You may find it's better to be limited in choices than to have so many that you wind up spending every penny of spare cash you can get your hands on on tartan that you may have some tenuous connection with.

There are many universal and fashion tartans that I am sure you could wear and feel fine about.

**Ryan Nielson** · 16th July 08, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by gilmore

You may find it's better to be limited in choices than to have so many that you wind up spending every penny of spare cash you can get your hands on on tartan that you may have some tenuous connection with.

Funny. That is so true too. I need to just get a nice blackwatch kilt and be done with it.