Scottish traditional culture

To find books about Scottish traditional culture in our collections, search our main catalogue, with keywords like 'clan', 'tartan', and 'heraldry'.

If you're visiting in person, we have reference books at our General Reading Room on the following subjects:

• Clans and tartans – shelfmark FH.7

• Scottish Family Histories – shelfmark FH.8

Clans

Having a clan surname does not necessarily mean you are a direct family descendent from the original clan chief.

Clan origins lie in the social and political status of a given area of Scotland. Clan chiefs may have been landlords, for example, with extended branches (septs) of the clan as their tenants, as well as family members who have married outwith the family name. Although clan members were more likely to be direct blood relations, the clan system also depends upon the idea of loyalty to the chief.

Geographical origins

However, what the clan name can provide is an idea of the geographical origins of your ancestors — sometimes very specifically to a district or region of Scotland.

Nowadays to confirm the status of clan chief, an individual must prove to the Court of the Lord Lyon the right to hold the clan coat of arms and leadership over a community.

Tartan

Since the 19th century, there has been a rebirth of enthusiasm for tartan - particularly as a symbol of a family name.

Tartans may not have traditionally been connected to names in this way. There is no particular evidence that clan tartanry existed before the mid-18th century.

The lack of evidence for the origins of clan tartans may be due to a ban on wearing highland dress in Scotland in the 18th century. Early illustrations suggest that originally tartan colours were a matter of personal preference, and also depended on the natural colours that were available locally from plant sources.

Tartans and surnames

A system of associating tartans with surnames developed in the 19th century. It followed an explosion of interest in all things Scottish in the 19th century, particularly after Walter Scott's arrangements for King George IV's visit to Scotland.

Today, there may be many different versions of a tartan — dress tartan, traditional tartan, and hunting tartan.

Not every Scottish surname will have a tartan, so often people wear the tartan of their mother's maiden name or the tartan of a Scottish district. Tartans have become popular for sporting teams and businesses too.

Heraldry

Heraldry is the use of special symbols, called coats of arms, to show who someone is. It started long ago when many people couldn't read or write. Knights used these symbols on their armour because their faces were hidden.

Only one person, like a clan chief, has the right to use a coat of arms, but clan members can use the clan crest if the chief approves.

Coats of arms were also used as seals on documents to identify who they belonged to. They were designed by the person or passed down from their family.

The Court of the Lord Lyon deals with all matters relating to Scottish heraldry and coats of arms. It maintains the Scottish Public Register of Arms and Genealogies, which you can search for a fee.