San Diego Scottish Highland Games
History of Tartans Tartans have a rich history dating back to the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century. Originally, tartans were used as a way to distinguish between different clans and regions. Each tartan had its own unique pattern and color scheme, which represented the identity of the clan or region it belonged to. During …
The Clan Sinclair Overview The Clan Sinclair is a Scottish clan that originated in the 11th century. The Sinclair family originated from Normandy in France and settled in Scotland in the 11th century. The clan’s name is derived from the town of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte in Normandy, France. The clan played a significant role in Scottish history …
History of Clan Mackay in Scotland Mackay Surname Meaning The Mackay surname is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic word “MacAoidh,” which means “son of Aodh.” Aodh is a Gaelic name that means “fire” or “fiery one.” The Mackay clan originated in the far north of Scotland, in the area around the …
Blackwatch History The Black Watch was derived from the dark colour of the tartan and the original role of the Regiment to “Watch the Highlands”. General George Wade was authorised by George I to form six “Watch” companies to patrol the Highlands of Scotland, including Clan Campbell, Clan Fraser of Lovat, Clan Munro, and Clan …
The History of the Clan Weir The name Weir originates from the Norman ‘Vere’ and the name is now generally found in Lanarkshire and other parts of Scotland. The first person of this name mentioned in Scottish history is a Radulphus de Vere in the 12th century. He was a son of Aubrey, 1st Earl …
Scottish history is filled with the exploits of fierce and patriotic clans who still hold titles and have seats of power in the illustrious castles of Scotland. Clanship was a system introduced in Scotland as a replacement to the division of seven tribal areas of the Scottish highlands of Pictish times. The system of social …
The illustrious history of the mighty MacKenzie clan Read More »
Since the 11-17th Centuries, family crests and coats of arms have been considered powerful symbols passed down through generations. They are still meaningful reminders of family past, present, and future. The symbolism of coats of arms explains the ancestors’ achievements and status in society and is used to identify families or individuals that include the …
The Stuarts of Bute are the descended from Sir John Stewart, born between 1345 and 1390. Sir John Stewart was the son of Robert II of Scotland. He was known as ‘The Black Stewart’, some say due to his dark complexion or because his brother, John of …
The name Duncan can be found in Scotland’s oldest records in its Gaelic form Dunchad/Donchadh and other spelling variants. (Dunchad) Duncan, which was originally a forename, is one of the oldest names in Scotland and can be dated back to the Celtic Scotii (Scots) from Ireland who colonized the Southwest of Scotland from about the …
This name comes from the Gaelic place name “cuil cumhann” meaning “narrow corner”. The location of Colquhoun (pronounced “ca-hoon” with the accent on the second syllable) is on the western shores of Loch Lomond. Umfphredus de Kilpatrick was granted the lands by the Earl of Lennox in the 13th century, during the reign of King …