Is MacKenzie considered universal?

[keith_b]

Is the MacKenzie tartan considered to be universal? What's your opinion?

[James MacMillan]

I don't think so, but that shouldn't stop you from wearing it!

After all most clans are glad to have an outsider wear thier tartan.

You could always write a formal letter to the Chieftan, and ask for permission to wear it.

I wonder if anyone has ever done this?

[macwilkin]

Moved thread to heraldry & tartans section. Please post all tartan-related questions here.

Thanks,

Todd

[McMurdo]

I just went over to the MacKenzie Clan website

http://www.clan-mackenzie.org.uk/clan/mackenzie.html

Here is what they say on the front page about wearing the tartan:

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Septs of the Clan Mackenzie

Charles
Charleson
Clunes
Clunies
Cross
Iverach
Iverson
Ivory
Kenneth
Kennethson
Kinnach
Kynoch
Macaweeney
MacBeolain
MacBeath
MacBeth
MacConnach
MacCure
Maceur
MacIver
MacIvor
MacKenna
MacKenney
MacKerlich
MacKinna
MacKinney
MacKinnie
MacLeay
MacMurchie
MacMurchy
MacQueenie
MacThearliach
MacVanish
MacVennie
MacVinish
MacVinnie
MacWeeny
MacWhinnie
Makiver
Murchie
Murchison
Smart
Tuach
NB There are several variations in the spelling of the name Mackenzie, i.e. MacKenzie, McKenzie, Macenzie, McEnzie, Makenzie, MaKenzie, M'Kenzie, Kenny, Kenney, MacKenny, MacKenney, McKenny, McKenney, Mackinzie, McKinzie, MacKinney, McKinney &c, they are accepted as Septs or variations of the Mackenzie Clan name. Often in centuries past it was the local Monk or Minister who could read and write and who also decided on the spelling of people's names when entering Baptism, Marriage or Burial records. So when writing an unfamiliar name it had to be written as it sounded and misspellings would often occur especially when the informant had a strong accent. If you are not sure that your name was derived from "Mackenzie" or a Sept name then please do ask us.

If your name is Mackenzie, one of the above Sept names or a variation then you are entitled to wear the Clan Mackenzie Tartan.

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Now given that I would say that it is not a Universal tartan, however you could write them for permission, or go out and get it for yourself, if you feel comfortable doing that.

[macwilkin]

Is the MacKenzie tartan considered to be universal? What's your opinion?

Mackenzie of Seaforth is certainly one of the more popular and available tartans these days.

It should be pointed out that this particular tartan was at first a regimental tartan, which was worn by not only the Seaforth Highlanders, but also the Highland Light Infantry. The Scottish Military Historical Society has this to say:

In 1778, the 73rd, later 71st, Regiment was raised by John Mackenzie, Lord Macleod, at which time they adopted Black Watch tartan with additional buff and red lines. In 1798 this regiment changed the buff lines to white, making their tartan the same as that worn by the 78th, another Mackenzie regiment. This tartan, Black Watch with red and white lines, used by the Highland Light Infantry and the Seaforth Highlanders, became known as Mackenzie tartan, but was originally known only as "78th Regimental Tartan" by the makers Wilson of Bannockburn, who later called it "71st Tartan" when dealing with that regiment and "Mackenzie" when selling it to civilians. The Lord Macleod Fencibles (1798-1802) also wore this tartan, possibly at the instigation of Major John Macleod, the 2nd in Command, who had previously served in the 78th Ross-shire Buffs. It has been called Macleod tartan, but is simply that which was originally designed for the 78th.

-- "Notes on Scottish Military Tartans", SMHS

Other regiments that have worn the Mackenzie of Seaforth tartan are listed here:

http://www.regiments.org/tradition/tartans/mackenz.htm

Regards,

Todd

[LordKiltClad]

Is the MacKenzie tartan considered to be universal? What's your opinion?

That all depends on which MacKenzie you ask...

-Gordon McKenzie

[LordKiltClad]

But really it's a well known tartan, even was featured by Mike Myers in the movie "So I married an Axe murderer" and there are plenty of MacKenzie of Seaforth regiments in the world both in the UK and Canada. I wear mine because I am one, but that should stop you from wearing one if you want to.

As is true with any tartan you decide to wear, like McMurdo said, know a little bit of information on the clan you decide to wear. Makes the questions you get from people easier to answer. And gives a little more pride to know what your representing.

One of my next 2 kilts will be a MacKenzie weathered SWK standard.

Good luck, and wear the MacKenzie with Pride!

[Colin]

As someone that also comes from a family of MacKenzies, I have always considered the MacKenzie modern as a universal (as well as a clan tartan) tartan in that it has a military history and it is so widely available. Personally I consider the variants (Weathered, Old, Ancient, etc) to be Clan tartans.

I ordered the MacKenzie weathered a few months ago to stand out from the sea of MacKenzie moderns available at every shop..well okay it is also my favourite version of the tartan. Had I know that SWK was going to offer it soon, I would have gone with the old sett in wool and ordered the SWK in Weathered. Ah well.

[LordKiltClad]

Colin,
When I saw that Jerry offered the weathered in a standard line, I just about needed a bucket for the drool. Now I'm just waiting to order until the brown leather nightstalker sporrans come out, and I'll place my order. Of course when I do that, I think I'll also order a black leather nightstalker sporran and matching standard nightstalker tartan kilt.

*sigh* the addiction continures

[cessna152towser]

I have McKenzie ancestry and have recently acquired a budget kilt in McKenzie tartan. I was surprised to find this tartan so readily available in a casual kilt but as others have said there are a lot of septs entitled to wear McKenzie and it also has military connections. It is not quite so commonly seen here in Scotland compared to, for example, Black Watch or Royal Stewart, but is one of the commoner tartans which more people tend to instantly recognise.