Scottish Plaids Names: A Guide to Their Meanings and History

Discover the rich history and symbolism behind Scottish plaids with this comprehensive guide to their names and meanings. From ancient clan tartans to modern fashion trends, exploring these names unlocks a deeper understanding of Scotland's cultural heritage and the stories woven into each pattern. Prepare to be amazed by the diverse tapestry of names, each with a unique story to tell.
1. **Black Watch:** Meaning "The Black Watch" - This name refers to a famous Scottish military regiment known for their distinctive black and dark green tartan.
2. **Campbell:** Meaning "Wry-mouthed" - The Campbell clan tartan is traditionally a dark green with red and white stripes, symbolizing their strength and resilience.
3. **Grant:** Meaning "Great" - The Grant tartan is a mixture of red, green, and black, representing their lineage and power.
4. **MacDonald:** Meaning "Son of Donald" - The MacDonald tartan is known for its vibrant red and green hues, signifying their fierce loyalty and courage.
5. **MacGregor:** Meaning "Son of Gregor" - The MacGregor tartan is distinguished by its bold red and yellow stripes, representing their historical struggles and eventual triumph.
6. **Stewart:** Meaning "Steward" - The Stewart tartan is a blend of red, green, and yellow, reflecting their status as stewards of the Scottish monarchy.
7. **Fraser:** Meaning "Strawberry" - The Fraser tartan is characterized by its unique blend of red, green, and blue, symbolizing their connection to the land and their adventurous spirit.
8. **Cameron:** Meaning "Crooked nose" - The Cameron tartan features a distinct red and green pattern, representing their resilience and fighting spirit.
9. **MacKenzie:** Meaning "Son of Kenneth" - The Mackenzie tartan is a vibrant mix of red, green, and blue, symbolizing their lineage and leadership.
10. **Gordon:** Meaning "Hill" - The Gordon tartan is known for its dominant blue and black hues, representing their strength and steadfastness.
11. **Munro:** Meaning "Man of the sea" - The Munro tartan is a mix of red, green, and blue, signifying their historical ties to the coast and their adventurous nature.
12. **MacLean:** Meaning "Son of John" - The MacLean tartan is characterized by its distinct red and blue pattern, representing their loyalty and bravery.
13. **Ross:** Meaning "Headland" - The Ross tartan is a combination of red, green, and black, reflecting their connection to the land and their strong sense of community.
14. **Robertson:** Meaning "Son of Robert" - The Robertson tartan is a blend of red, green, and yellow, symbolizing their perseverance and their role in Scottish history.
15. **MacIntyre:** Meaning "Son of Duncan" - The MacIntyre tartan features a distinct red and green pattern, representing their fighting spirit and their strong connection to the Highlands.
16. **MacAllister:** Meaning "Son of Alexander" - The MacAllister tartan is known for its vibrant red and green hues, signifying their courage and their resilience in the face of adversity.
17. **MacNeil:** Meaning "Son of Niall" - The MacNeil tartan is a mix of red, green, and blue, representing their historical significance and their strong sense of family.
18. **MacAulay:** Meaning "Son of Duncan" - The MacAulay tartan is characterized by its distinctive red and green pattern, symbolizing their leadership and their role in Scottish history.
19. **MacQuarrie:** Meaning "Son of Gregory" - The MacQuarrie tartan features a blend of red, green, and blue, reflecting their resilience and their connection to the Highlands.
20. **MacLeod:** Meaning "Son of Leod" - The MacLeod tartan is known for its vibrant red and green hues, signifying their courage and their role in Scottish history.
21. **MacLaren:** Meaning "Son of Laurence" - The MacLaren tartan is a combination of red, green, and black, symbolizing their connection to the land and their strong sense of community.
22. **MacNab:** Meaning "Son of Owen" - The MacNab tartan features a distinct red and green pattern, representing their fighting spirit and their resilience.
23. **MacPherson:** Meaning "Son of Parson" - The MacPherson tartan is known for its vibrant red and green hues, signifying their loyalty and their role in Scottish history.
24. **MacTavish:** Meaning "Son of John" - The MacTavish tartan is a mix of red, green, and blue, representing their historical significance and their strong sense of family.
25. **MacDuff:** Meaning "Son of Duff" - The MacDuff tartan is characterized by its distinctive red and green pattern, symbolizing their leadership and their role in Scottish history.
26. **MacCallum:** Meaning "Son of Columba" - The MacCallum tartan is known for its vibrant red and green hues, signifying their courage and their resilience.
27. **MacQueen:** Meaning "Son of Owen" - The MacQueen tartan is a mix of red, green, and blue, representing their historical significance and their strong sense of family.
28. **MacInnes:** Meaning "Son of John" - The MacInnes tartan is characterized by its distinctive red and green pattern, symbolizing their leadership and their role in Scottish history.
29. **MacPhail:** Meaning "Son of Paul" - The MacPhail tartan is known for its vibrant red and green hues, signifying their loyalty and their role in Scottish history.
30. **MacKay:** Meaning "Son of Hugh" - The MacKay tartan is a mix of red, green, and blue, representing their historical significance and their strong sense of family.
31. **MacAlister:** Meaning "Son of Alexander" - The MacAlister tartan is characterized by its distinctive red and green pattern, symbolizing their leadership and their role in Scottish history.
32. **MacIntosh:** Meaning "Son of Duncan" - The MacIntosh tartan is known for its vibrant red and green hues, signifying their courage and their resilience.
33. **MacAulay:** Meaning "Son of Duncan" - The MacAulay tartan is a mix of red, green, and blue, representing their historical significance and their strong sense of family.
34. **MacNeil:** Meaning "Son of Niall" - The MacNeil tartan is characterized by its distinctive red and green pattern, symbolizing their leadership and their role in Scottish history.
35. **MacDonald of Keppoch:** Meaning "Son of Donald" - The MacDonald of Keppoch tartan is known for its vibrant red and green hues, signifying their courage and their resilience.
36. **MacDonald of Sleat:** Meaning "Son of Donald" - The MacDonald of Sleat tartan is a mix of red, green, and blue, representing their historical significance and their strong sense of family.
37. **MacDonald of Clanranald:** Meaning "Son of Donald" - The MacDonald of Clanranald tartan is characterized by its distinctive red and green pattern, symbolizing their leadership and their role in Scottish history.
38. **MacDonald of Glengarry:** Meaning "Son of Donald" - The MacDonald of Glengarry tartan is known for its vibrant red and green hues, signifying their courage and their resilience.
39. **MacDonald of Lochalsh:** Meaning "Son of Donald" - The MacDonald of Lochalsh tartan is a mix of red, green, and blue, representing their historical significance and their strong sense of family.
40. **MacDonald of Skye:** Meaning "Son of Donald" - The MacDonald of Skye tartan is characterized by its distinctive red and green pattern, symbolizing their leadership and their role in Scottish history.