Help and advice on choosing a tartan

[berserkbishop]

First off, I have ties to Cunningham, MacLeod of Raasay, and possibly MacGregor. I did some research and from one source found that the MacGregors adopted the name Cunningham. Is this true, and if it is is there anyway to tell if I am a MacGregor? I am also wondering if anyone has any information on MacLeod of Rasaay. My earliest (provable) relative is Malcom MacLeod Rasey, whos father was Malcom MacLeod. Malcom Rasey came to America in the 1670's. I know that for sure. Anyone know why he would have changed his surname to Rasey? Ok all that leads me to this. Which tartan would be the most cost effective/ appropriate to wear?
I can give a link to the Rasey genealogy as far back as I know it if that would help some one. I appreciate any and all help since I am very ignorant in this field.

[Galician]

Just a speculation as to the name change. We have seen even in our own day how children are adopted by their stepfathers, and wind up changing their names (consider Bill Clinton). Certainly in that period, being orphaned or losing one's father was a common occurence. One possibility to consider.

[gilmore]

Just a speculation as to the name change. We have seen even in our own day how children are adopted by their stepfathers, and wind up changing their names (consider Bill Clinton). Certainly in that period, being orphaned or losing one's father was a common occurence. One possibility to consider.

Illegitimacy may be another.

[gilmore]

First off, I have ties to Cunningham, MacLeod of Raasay, and possibly MacGregor. I did some research and from one source found that the MacGregors adopted the name Cunningham. Is this true, and if it is is there anyway to tell if I am a MacGregor? I am also wondering if anyone has any information on MacLeod of Rasaay. My earliest (provable) relative is Malcom MacLeod Rasey, whos father was Malcom MacLeod. Malcom Rasey came to America in the 1670's. I know that for sure. Anyone know why he would have changed his surname to Rasey? Ok all that leads me to this. Which tartan would be the most cost effective/ appropriate to wear?
I can give a link to the Rasey genealogy as far back as I know it if that would help some one. I appreciate any and all help since I am very ignorant in this field.

There are only two ways to know who your forebears were. One is the arduous method of tracing the paper trail backward in time, generation by generation, document by document. The other, Y chromosome DNA testing, is sometimes, and only sometimes, helpful in determining who a man's patrilineal ancestors were (and more often who they were not.) Go to www.ftdna.com and click on their FAQ for info on the latter.

As to what clan tartan to wear, they were all invented well over 100 years after your forefathers came to the US, but if you don't want to wear one, there are always district tartans.

[Jock Scot]

It has been said countless times that you can wear nearly any tartan you wish.Having said that,you seem to want to wear a tartan with a connection to your roots,and why not?I know that Clan MacLeod has a thriving clan network in the USA and Canada ,why not "google" them for addresses etc..

I am a little hazey about Clan MacGregor,but there was a time in Scottish history when even admitting to the name was punishable by death.A very good reason to change your name!

[pipesndrumsnun]

I say get 'em all! The more kilts the better, right?!

[gilmore]

I say get 'em all! The more kilts the better, right?!

Spoken like a true OCD'er.

[Ayin McFye]

I say get 'em all! The more kilts the better, right?!

Perfectly said! I was thinking the same thing as I was reading through the posts and then got to yours.

Buy them all!

[mkmound]

Perfectly said! I was thinking the same thing as I was reading through the posts and then got to yours.

Buy them all!

Yep!! The decision process is GREATLY simplified, which reduces your stress significantly!!

[McMurdo]

I would say get them all, but I am sure as a young man you probably do not have the disposable income to buy them all right away, I also think you are right to want tartans that you are connected to, so given your choices I would say to go for the MacLeod Dress Also known as Loud MacLeod, as it is readily available through USA Kilts. You can get the other tartans as your budget allows. You might want to do a search of the site to see what the various tartans look like, I know Panache, and Riverkilt both have the Loud MacLeod, while some may call it garish, I personally find that the Loud MacLeod grows on you to the point that it is on my short list of tartans to get.