Brown? What tartan!? Who is to know!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The name Brown is of course not confirned to Scotland and whilst there may be a recognised head of the name Broun/Brown that does not make them a clan. The Brouns of Coulston were a Lowland family and there was never a Highland clan Brown.

This is, of course, quite correct. Generally a family becomes a "clan" only when there are at least nine other "great houses" descended from the founding ancestor (the gaelic derbhfine). Think in terms of the various "Campbells of ..." and "MacDonalds of..." and you'll get the general idea. Simply because one family rose to local prominence in a particular area does not mean that they constituted a clan, either in the Highlands or Lowlands.

[Burly Brute]

This has all been very helpful. I have asked similiar questions in the past, but this has been more specific. Like I have also said in the past, I have never spoken to my biological father (who is where I get Brown) and so I have no real idea. But, I appreciate the help guys! Very much.


Sincerely,

Zach

[sevenoaks]

Hi Burly Brute.
The good thing is that you are entitled to wear any tartan that you like. Trying to follow your Heritage back is very difficult and so very time consuming. Today.. it matters not if you can trace your history. It may make you feel more connected but when you find your family back to 850 BC or back to 1900. As long as you like the tartan and wearing the tartan and connect to the tartan then I would say wear it with pride and enjoy the freedom. The only thing I could say is wear your kilt with pride and don't desecrate the look of a man by wearing a Tye died shirt with a kilt.
I know I will get a lot of flack for saying this but try to stay with the traditional look as much as you can but never hesitate to be yourself.
Without trying to make the Scottish Kilt look like a new age , comical, off the wall, costume ... do as you wish and wear the tartan with pride.