Tartans not of your lineage

**macmanjim** · 21st October 17, 07:32 PM

Is it okey dokey to wear a tartan not in your family? My wife is a Watt, so I could wear Buchanan and I have Anderson, Ely and Scott in my family. I don't own any clan tartans now, as I have black watch and heritage of scotland, but I was just wondering. Thanks in advance.

**Steve Ashton** · 22nd October 17, 12:20 AM

If I may. The names given to Tartan designs can be about lineage, yes. But not necessarily about your surname. For example - If you look at almost any map of Scotland that shows the Highland Clan areas you will see that they are about areas and regions. Not everyone within that region would have the same name. And someone with the same last name could live anywhere else.

So the question usually asked is not "What is your last name?, - but - "Where do your people come from?"

The answer to the question is to do your genealogy. Determine where within Scotland your lineage comes from.

**Jock Scot** · 22nd October 17, 12:41 AM

Many, most perhaps, in Scotland have lots of different Clan/family names amongst their ancestors, but generally they wear just the one tartan and that is usually(but not always)their fathers. To wear more than one tartan is not a usual thought for the more traditional thinkers in Scotland.

**macmanjim** · 22nd October 17, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Many, most perhaps, in Scotland have lots of different Clan/family names amongst their ancestors, but generally they wear just the one tartan and that is usually(but not always)their fathers. To wear more than one tartan is not a usual thought for the more traditional thinkers in Scotland.

In my case, I doubt that there is any Scottish lineage on my dad's side. Naples is a little off the path.

**macmanjim** · 22nd October 17, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

If I may. The names given to Tartan designs can be about lineage, yes. But not necessarily about your surname. For example - If you look at almost any map of Scotland that shows the Highland Clan areas you will see that they are about areas and regions. Not everyone within that region would have the same name. And someone with the same last name could live anywhere else.

So the question usually asked is not "What is your last name?, - but - "Where do your people come from?"

The answer to the question is to do your genealogy. Determine where within Scotland your lineage comes from.

Yeah, I get it now. Thing is finding out where they came from. Ancestry.com was useful in finding out where generically, but not always specifically, especially the scots and irish parts. I'll have to either pay to get more access in Ancestry or find another database. Some of my mom's side have been here for over 300 years (some only 140) and depending on the branch, there are dead ends. Lots of Celtic in me though as I have found out. It's always interesting.

**Jock Scot** · 22nd October 17, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by macmanjim

In my case, I doubt that there is any Scottish lineage on my dad's side. Naples is a little off the path.

No problem! We had several Italians who were P.O.W's who decided to remain here after WW2, more often than not they married local girls and their offspring, if they wanted, chose their mothers tartan if there was one, or just decided on a tartan they liked and stuck with it. No one asks and life goes on. We have offspring of Germans and Poles who remained behind from that time too, some of whom happily wear the kilt in a tartan of their choice.

Not so long ago we went to a local wedding where the lad of German ancestry married a girl of Polish ancestry, both with well developed Scottish accents and as Scottish as tatties and neeps and if my memory serves the lad wore a Cameron tartan and the girl's family wore Stuart. Their respective Great Grandmothers' tartans. No one batted an eye.

**jhockin** · 22nd October 17, 03:02 PM

Basically, barring kilt-cops, any tartan you can buy, you can wear; pick one that appeals to you, for your own reasons, and enjoy wearing it.

**FossilHunter** · 22nd October 17, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

No problem! We had several Italians who were P.O.W's who decided to remain here after WW2, more often than not they married local girls and their offspring, if they wanted, chose their mothers tartan if there was one, or just decided on a tartan they liked and stuck with it. No one asks and life goes on. We have offspring of Germans and Poles who remained behind from that time too, some of whom happily wear the kilt in a tartan of their choice.

Not so long ago we went to a local wedding where the lad of German ancestry married a girl of Polish ancestry, both with well developed Scottish accents and as Scottish as tatties and neeps and if my memory serves the lad wore a Cameron tartan and the girl's family wore Stuart. Their respective Great Grandmothers' tartans. No one batted an eye.

I think Jock gives sound advice here. It sounds like the OP has a few tartans to choose from. I would pick the one that represents the clan/family you are closest too and means the most to you or, alternately, pick the one you like the look of the most. Either way, I would pick one and run with it. Certainly, the question I get asked the most is, "what clan/tartan is that?" And that's just people who have a basic understanding of of the tradition of associating tartan with clans (often little old ladies at Church), not kilt kops.

That, and picking just one will save you a grip on kilts! ;)
The fellas who have a bunch of them must make a lot more that a paleontologist does.

**macmanjim** · 22nd October 17, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

I think Jock gives sound advice here. It sounds like the OP has a few tartans to choose from. I would pick the one that represents the clan/family you are closest too and means the most to you or, alternately, pick the one you like the look of the most. Either way, I would pick one and run with it. Certainly, the question I get asked the most is, "what clan/tartan is that?" And that's just people who have a basic understanding of of the tradition of associating tartan with clans (often little old ladies at Church), not kilt kops.

That, and picking just one will save you a grip on kilts! ;)
The fellas who have a bunch of them must make a lot more that a paleontologist does.

A paleontologist makes more than a system support analyst.

**FossilHunter** · 22nd October 17, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by macmanjim

A paleontologist makes more than a system support analyst.

All the more reason to invest in one good tartan kilt. Different shirts, ties, and hose make the outfit look different each time and are much cheaper than kilts. Just take a gander at the 1 kilt, 10 looks thread and you can see how diverse a look you can get with just the one.