Continuing on the Cameron’s whom I mentioned were descent of Knights aka warlords that fought along side the true king Arthur… Artur Mac Aedan their descendants continued to fight for the Cenel n Gabrain and helped restore a cousin of Artur back to the throne Fergus the second
A mix of Gaels, Norse/Gael and Strathclyde Welsh their descendants travelled toward Fife in the home of kin of their Tribe the Veneti in Gododdin where they fought at cam Brun the crooked hill. The became the family of Cameron of Ballegarno that eventually married into the MacDuff’s , who were descent of a daughter of the line of Cunedda and Plantagent’s that married into both Weymass and the Balfour’s
The band of warlords and their descendants became the MacGillionies the first of the Confederation of Camerons that rivalled the Chattan Confederation, the were soon joined by the MacMartins. Their homestead and burial ground of their kin was at Strone near Errachate by Glen Loy
One branch of kindred stayed at Alt Cult aka Stratchlyde to continue to fight at Stirling now known as the Kings Knot, the Urbs Guidi, the Firth of Forth of sea of Ludeu where the Druid Warrior Merlin (Gaelic Scottish also) lead campaigns and where Artur Mac Adean held his “round table” As the kings of Stratchlyde were his kin through is maternal line. The site is known as Kings Knot
*of note Pict and Welsh for most of history not only went through the paternal line but Maternal line.
Poly viscose vs Acrylic when it comes to tartans there is a huge debate which one of these two are better, well first choice you should go with pure wool however wool has its drawbacks. One it is expensive to weave so not too many places offer pure wool kilts and if they do it is a limited selection and will cost you a fair amount of money. Secondly wool can be itchy to wear along with hard to wash. Now onto Poly viscose many tartan makers use this it is is a blend of viscose and polyester it is durable and kinds of easy to take care of however it tends to look cheap and not a nice weight in the fabric Acrylic gives a more wool like feel and it is softer, the tartan mill I work with WOODTEX has been weaving with Acrylic for over 60 years and produces some of the best tartan material on the market.
Acrylic is durable and does not come from animals as some vegetarians and vegans are opposed to wearing wool because of the trauma the sheep goes through from the sheer so I guess you can say it is a Vegan Tartan . Like any material after time it can be a wee fuzzy or pill if this happens it is an easy peasy fix all you have to do is use a fabric shaver, just a few buzzes over and it will be good as new. Another good tool to have for the kilt wearer is a steamer you can get a handheld one on amazon or at costco for about 20 dollars. Just hang your kilt on a pants hanger clipping on top and steam away getting all your wrinkles out as it can happen like any other textile, Now some Poly viscose advocates will claim their kilts will not get fuzzy or wrinkle which is just not true for material in general but you will also end up with an inferior tartan material.
It boils down to if you want a great looking kilt compared with a light weight cheapy looking kilt. The Tartans sold by Just Kilt Me are more like a medium weight, with acrylic yarn you do not get that wimpy light weight feeling or that rough scratchy feel. Not to forget you get an amazing price for a made to order, hand made kilt. It is not mass made or kept in stock looking to be sold to that right size, the pleats are hand stitched in the old traditional way and not made the “Cheat Pleat” way, where they appear to be part of the kilt but in reality are stitched on in back.
There are also Acrylic and pure Wool blends that are called Heavy kilts that not everyone does but here at JKM we do. That gives a heavy weight that is heavier than all others of the same classification, kilts made from this textile tartan has that soft real wool feel like the acrylic ones but has the weight of a real wool kilt without the expense (those run $500 and up) or the itch as one hundred percent wool can be itchy as frack.
What it boils down to is you want a good quality kilt and not some cheaply poorly done lightweight one. A good kilt will last you for years, much longer than that pair of trousers and jeans that you wear everyday or those god awful joggers just ugh.. Kilts are durable and you’ll have it for years and years to come, but you have to take care of it too, spot clean it, shave off the fuzz with a fabric shaver, steam it to get the wrinkles out on a regular basis and you will have to probably have to get it dry cleaned too. Get more than one too, change it up I have mentioned numerous times you can really wear whatever kilt appeals to you, or if you want to be “traditional” go with the first clan in your tree (there will be multiples) then to the next.. For me it’s Balfour, the Fleming, the FitzAlan/Stewarts then Fraser of Lovat, but then comes in from maternal sides Gordon, Kennedy, Campbell etc etc add in multiple lines cross over too. Basically either directly or indirectly or via marriage from a distant uncle, aunt or cousin you will be related to pretty much every clan out there either by that name or one of their associated aka sept families.
Drop Trou & Kilt UP Allen, Baron Of Otter, Baron Balfour of Glenawley
Below are the overall basics of Dalriada and of course my thoughts…They are descent from the Veneti the Celtic seafarers from Brittany that settled in Ireland around Donegal which founded the Kingdom of Dalriada (they settled in the coastal areas of Scotland east and west along with Wales The kingdom was founded by Fergus and his brothers, with Fergus being the first king. He and his descendants through the whole history of Dalradia married into the royal houses of the Picts, Godiddin, Brycheiniog, Gwynedd, Strathclyde, Powis and the other kingdoms of the North forever connecting the Men and Women of The North in kindred. Even if they did wage war on another from time to time in the expansion of territories. Descendants of Fergus ended up kings of the Picts who established the Siol Alpin, Wales and Strathclyde amongst the other major and minor Celtic Kingdoms. They were all of the same tribe of the Veneti so there was already a connection but most had forgotten their previous kinship from centuries ago, only the bards kept that knowledge. Aedan Mac Gabrain whose son Artur would come to be known in legend as King Arhur was the son of the founder of Gwynedd Cunneda’s great great granddaughter thusly being his three times great grandson; his descendants would found the Campbells, MacArturs and other clans; one of Cunnedda’s sons would marry into a Pict -Dalradian line and found the Kennedys then found the MacGregors, who were from the same stock of MacFie and others in the Soil Alpin.
As I have mentioned numerous times and some do not agree with me on this, you can really wear whatever tartan you would like because one one or another, either directly or indirectly by marriage or kinship you are related to that basically every clan there is. Along with some that are not clans anymore but associated families of bigger ones (Like the MacDonalds claim everybody as this was a result of marriage or seeking protection of bigger clans) Be it from an distant aunt, uncle or cousin who married in to a brand where one numerous grandfather was a Campbell and his wife was a Gordon, then her mother was a Arnott or something like that.
Always factor in the IAP the Identical Ancestor Point Here is the video again tht explains it
And always bear in mind you have to do your ancestry tree too you can not totally rely on your DNA results as DNA washes out, you do not get the same DNA amounts from each side of your partentage. When it comes to Scottish clans and British and Irish in general remember the Vikings which were Danish, Norse and Swedish show up as NW European , then Anglo Saxons can show up as German/French even the Celts of Brittany show up French, the Catti that help found Keith and Chattan are from German areas, then the Flemish and Norman all came over to Britain, came to serve William the Conqueror then made their way to Scotland either before or with David the first. Vikings married into the Picts, the Strathclyde married into the Saxons and the Vikings, and into the Norman and Flemish. Despite what some may say, Britain was always a melting pot before the days of the Roman Empire or as a result of the armies of the Roman Empire advancing and driving out celtic tribes that did not want to submit to Rome; once it was part of the Roman Empire, gauls, saxons, romans, Egyptian, Jewish and even som Buddhist came to the British Isle most stayed and left descendants. Who then married into the locals.
Humans are a mishmash so enjoy history and the shared kinship of heritage .
Now about Dalriada~
Dál Riata or Dál Riada (also Dalriada) (/dælˈriːədə/) was a Gaelic kingdom that encompassed the western seaboard of Scotland and the north-eastern corner of Ireland, on each side of the North Channel. At its height in the 6th and 7th centuries, it covered what is now Argyll (“Coast of the Gaels”) in Scotland and part of County Antrim in Northern Ireland.] After a period of expansion, Dál Riata eventually became associated with the Gaelic Kingdom of Alba.
In Argyll, it consisted of four main kindreds, each with their own chief: Cenél nGabráin (based in Kintyre), Cenél nÓengusa (based on Islay), Cenél Loairn (who gave their name to the district of Lorn) and Cenél Comgaill (who gave their name to Cowal).The hillfort of Dunadd is believed to have been its capital. Other royal forts included Dunollie, Dunaverty and Dunseverick. Within Dál Riata was the important monastery of Iona, which played a key role in the spread of Celtic Christianity throughout northern Britain, and in the development of insular art. Iona was a centre of learning and produced many important manuscripts. Dál Riata had a strong seafaring culture and a large naval fleet.
Dál Riata is said to have been founded by the legendary king Fergus Mór (Fergus the Great) in the 5th century. The kingdom reached its height under Áedán mac Gabráin (r. 574–608). During his reign Dál Riata’s power and influence grew; it carried out naval expeditions to Orkney and the Isle of Man, and assaults on the Brittonic kingdom of Strathclyde and Anglian kingdom of Bernicia. However, King Æthelfrith of Bernicia checked its growth at the Battle of Degsastan in 603. Serious defeats in Ireland and Scotland during the reign of Domnall Brecc (died 642) ended Dál Riata’s “golden age”, and the kingdom became a client of Northumbria for a time. In the 730s the Pictish king Óengus I led campaigns against Dál Riata and brought it under Pictish overlordship by 741. There is disagreement over the fate of the kingdom from the late 8th century onwards. Some scholars have seen no revival of Dál Riatan power after the long period of foreign domination (c. 637 to c. 750–760), while others have seen a revival under Áed Find (736–778). Some even claim that the Dál Riata usurped the kingship of Fortriu. From 795 onward there were sporadic Viking raids in Dál Riata. In the following century, there may have been a merger of the Dál Riatan and Pictish crowns. Some sources say Cináed mac Ailpín (Kenneth MacAlpin) was king of Dál Riata before becoming king of the Picts in 843, following a disastrous defeat of the Picts by Vikings. The kingdom’s independence ended sometime after, as it merged with Pictland to form the Kingdom of Alba.
It’s been a while since I have posted anything but here is something interesting … speaking of interesting the MacLaren and Ferguson tartan are practically identical except for one minor colour, many Ferguson wear MacLaren’s as they are from the same stock and ancestor, one son started one and one the other but one remembers who was first.
Here is the article
After new research by historians it is rather apparent that the real King Arthur was none other than Artúr mac áedán of Irish and Welsh/Brythonic descent His father was Aedan mac Gabráin of Dalradia and his mother was Domelch o Gwynedd (mac Maelgwyn) ferch Mælgwn, the great great GrandDaughter of Cunedda the founder of Gwynedd. Her daughter would end up marrying her nephew but that was common to marry one’s 1-3 cousins throughout history.
I highly suggest 2 books that explain the timelines and one delves into the Welsh legends of Athur. Artur meaning the bear, then later the Hero was decent of mixture of the Hen Ogledd, Pict (which were a tribe of the Britons), Strathclyde aka the Alt Culd and Irish all but the Pict but there is some debate have their roots in the Veneti, the Celtic Tribe from Brittany that were driven out by The Romans a few centuries earlier. He was related to rulers in Gododdin, Rheged, Pictland, Ireland, Welsh and other Brythonic Kingdoms, his family and descendants married into Scottish, Anglo Saxon and Norman Dynasties ultimately coming down the line to the current Royal family. His sons and daughters established various surnames and clans. His warriors aka Knights, also known as Ard Airighaich the High Lords of Arthur…
most of which were kin, which includes his foster brother Cai aka Kay *but the term foster brother was something different heirs were put out of harm’s way into “foster families’ usually a relative to act like a GodParent to raise and train you leaders, Scottish Clans kept up this custom until the 1700’s
Founded clans too
There are numerous Arhur sites in Scotland from Loch Fyne, Falkirk, Allt Mhic artair (the stream of the sons of Athur) Arthur’s Rock etc.
How did the legend of Arthur get pushed into Wales and Cornwall.. As mentioned his Mother was of the house of Gwynedd, his uncle married into the royal house. As conquerors advanced the welsh speaking Britons of Strathclyde and other Brythonic kingdoms got culturally pushed back to Wales and they took their stories of Arthur with them.
It’s a combined history and genealogy of the Hen Ogledd
One of the first tartans in history is the Sheppards Tartan aka Falkirk better known as the Hound Tooth tartan Arthurs fort was near falkirk
Now Onto the Clans of the kin of Arthur.. I will also be making posts on each of these clans or at least most of them
Although not really a Clan Tartan.. the Falkirk tartan The original Falkirk ‘Tartan’ ,now in the National Museum of Scotland, has a place in history as one of the earliest examples of Scottish cloth in existence. It is a direct link back to the Roman occupation of the area around 250 A.D.and was found stuffed into a pot filled with over 2000 silver coins. This early Celtic tweed used undyed yarn to give a herringbone pattern in brown hues and is considered to be a ‘poor man’s plaid’ Arthur was based at a old Roman fort at Camelon near Falkirk.
There is another “Falkirk” tartan known as the Sheppards Tartan This is an old traditional border shepherd’s check made of white wool and black wool, and which was later introduced to the Highlands and formed the basis of many of the estate checks. Also known as ‘The Falkirk Tartan’ because of the discovery of such a weave in the neck of a jar containing Roman coins buried about 260 A.D. The black and white check is woven today as a family tartan for the surname Shepherd tartan. Notes from http://www.regiments.org add: ‘The ‘Northumberland’ tartan, also known as ‘Border’, ‘Border Riever’, and ‘Shepherd’s Check’ predates most Scottish tartans and has long been associated with shepherds of the Border region who were encouraged to move north after the Highland clearances. As early as 1760 the Duke of Northumberland (Percy family) designated this tartan for his personal piper. It was later adopted as the plaid for pipers of The Northumberland Fusiliers, the official tartan of Northumberland County and that of the Shepherd family.
There is NO way to know how many children Arthur had with his wife Guinever aka Jennifer and his mistresses we know of 4 and daughters were rarely recorded back then but guesses are he had at least 3
Clans that descend from his Sons and are collectively known as Mac Mhathghamhuin the sons of the bear or the sons of the hero
MacArthur/Arthur
Campbell …..
Matheson
Forbes
*These include all allied/associated families that married into the clans or were results of lesser sons taking different surnames yet still part of the clan.
The MacArthur ( andArthur in Ireland) is the first and oldest of the clans of Arthur probably from his son Llachau
Campbell’s are also directly from one of Arthur’s sons then it follows down their cadet branches along with allied or septs whom they married into or possibly from families the daughters married into
Campbell Descent of Arthurs son mervie or Mervyn, swho became known as “the Wildman of the Woods”, aka a notable hunter. The went by the name MacDiarmid, the name Campbell did not come into use until several generations later It has been said they are Campbells are a off shoot of the Arthur’s
There are also a multitude of surnames that are the results of other sons and daughters amongst them are Duncan, Carew, Edwards
The clan founded by his foster Brother and first cousin on his mother’s side Cai aka Kay who many think was his lover took the relationship of Alexander the Great and Hephaestion or James VI & I with Esmé Stewart and his other various lovers. Bare in mind that the followed the religion of the Old Way aka Druidism where these things did not matter people who loved those of the same sex was very common along with the bond between men/warriors
The clan he founded was MacKay aka Morgan aka Clan Aoidh
Clan Ewen aka Owen are distantly related to Arthurs great great grandfather Fergus however Ewen of Otter aka Ewan also Ewing (Owen) later Campbell of Otter are the results of one of Arthur’s son descendants Owen marrying the heiress of Ewen of Otter then down the way someone married into the Campbells who are also descent of Arthur
Clan Duncan aka Robertson Arthur’s connected Turpillian Stone’ located at Crickhowell, Wales. A particularly early mention of the name Duncan. Inscribed in Ogham (an early form of Celtic writing) on the stone also carried the Latin translation “TURPILLI IC IACIT PUUERI TRILUNI DUNOCATI” which roughly translates as ‘The Fort Warrior’. Which leads to Arthur’s nephew of Conaing son of Áedán Dúnchad mac Conaing
Clan Cameron comes down from a warrior of Arthur who was a cousin on his grandmother’s side Cam from the crooked hill aka Camalan a hill fort
From his Father’s side of the family come down these clans:
MacFie and the MacAlpin lines from the Dalradian Kings of which Arthur’s father descent, Kenneth I is a descendant from this line
These include MacFie, MacGregor (who married a heiress of Cunneda)
MacTavish aka Thomson aka Thompson was descend from another son of Aedan mac Gabráin by his first wife who was a Pict so he was Arthur’s Half brother
Cunningham and Kennedy they are descended from a son of Cunedda who was Arthur’s 4x’s great grandfather
Fergson and MacLaren descent from Fergus the 4xs great grandfather of Arthur… Fergson also married into the MacRae and Balfour clans
MacLean they are descent of Loran Macerc the brother of Fergus Arthurs 5xs great uncle
One more is Clan Galbraith who have ties to the MacDonalds through marriage who descend from the Britons of Strathclyde which come from Arthur’s Mother’s side
Clan Douglas has an association too from a Battle fought at the River Duglas
Of course further down the lines Campbell, MacArthur etc all marry into one another’s lines or cadet branches and into the clan and families, into numerous surnames across the British Isles into France and Norse areas eventually down to America and other colonies of the British Empire.
So the blood of Arthur and his line run through your veins along with many other great men and women of Celitc History. Do not forget about the whole IDP Identical Ancestor Point IE apox 800-900 years ago if you have ONE European ancestor you and everyone else is descended from 80% of the population of the whole of Europe. You go a little further back to the time Arthur and it is probably 85 or more percent.
I am sure I may have missed some so watch for updates
UpDate… ok so I missed one Armstrong… according to the Welsh Legends and in the book The King Arthur Conspiracy.. how a Scottish Prince became a mythical Hero… the inlaw to Aaden Mac Gabrain and the father inlaw of Arthur Caradog the son of Cywryd of Gwent the son of Cynfarch king of Rheged Went to Flintshire in North Wales married a Strathclyde Princess further tying him to Athur. He was an advisor to Arthur and fought alongside his nick name was Strong Arm put together as Arm Strong aka Armstrong. One of his sons becomes king of Gwent and other stayed in Wales others went to the borderlands where clan Armstrong is from.
Explore the tartans of Arthur and his kin get a special 25% off with code Arthur
The tartan i designed EURASIAN OTTER stems from my line of Ewen of Otter and the Campbells of Loch Fyne which pays homage to the Eurasian Otters who live and play in the Loch .. ones I am sure Arthur and his children enjoyed watching play in the loch . As Arthur’s Homestead was at Loch Fyne
if you forgot about how the Identical Ancestors Point works here is the video oh and don’t say Adam and Eve please that is a fairytale
Check out the website too justkiltme.com new tartans are always being added…. more tee shirts too and a general store/apothecary is coming too
As always find us on all social media it’s under JustKiltMe
Thx
Ailean Balie Phuir Geiner, Baron of Otter, Lord Gwyddelwern, Lord Brecknock, Earl of Kilmarnock, Lord Kincraig, Baron Slane Capt of Balfour of Powis Ewen Campbell of Otter, Commander of Clan Balfour
Welcome to Just Kilt Me where you will find custom made Killer Kilts and branded custom apparel. People often ask what Tartan can I wear? Am I culturally appropriating if I wear a Kilt and I am not Scottish or Irish.. The answer to both … you can wear whatever tartan you like and no. Sure there are some sticklers out there who say only wear X kilt but be told if you look back into ancestry it really doesn’t matter. At a minimum you have over 4000 10th great grandparents, lines crossover all the time and you will find if you go back even several generations your parents are distantly related cousins. With most of your friends you will find out that you are related to each other somewhere in the last 300 years. If you go back about 100 years and you have at least one European Ancestor you are descended from 80% of everyone who was alive in Europe at the time and that accounts for the 20% who left no descendants. The video link easily describes this, it is called the Identical Ancestor Point, “A genetic survey concludes that all Europeans living today are related to the same set of ancestors who lived 1,000 years ago. And you wouldn’t have to go back much further to find that everyone in the world is related to each other” https://youtu.be/15Uce4fG4R0
Another factor is the Veneti Tribe that came from Brittiany and settled across the British Isles then some of them went back to Brittiany 500 years later. You can read about them and the genetic study in the Tribe Within over at https://www.smashwords.com/ You get a Ebook copy for free with any kilt order
So somewhere in your wibbly wobbly twisty branches of your family tree and your DNA even how diluted is a Scot, Welshmen, Irishmen or another Celt and someone from the Kerrs, Campbells, Stewarts, Balfours, Camerons, etc etc. Either by direct descent, from a marriage of a distant aunt or uncle or some rather distant kin one way or another. Clans married into other clans all the time, even ones that were mortal enemies of one another, add in the fact that so many numerous clans were founded by sons and sometimes daughters of one man.
So if you want to get technical you’re entitled to wear any tartan you like because either directly or roundabout you are related to that clan. But where what appeals to you, what you feel drawn to, what you like. Remember Just Kilt It!
So Wallace translates as Weslhmen or foreign Briton aka Stratgclyde Briton While possible that the Wallaces were originally Britons from Wales, who came north with David I of Scotland in the eleventh century, another theory is that they were Britons who had settled in Strathclyde in the tenth century. OR possibly both let me explain how: The Wallace family came to Scotland with several “founding” clans from the Shropshire, Powis, Montgomeryshire area amongst them were Walter FitzAlan who founded the Stewart Clan and Montogmery and a few others that I will get into later or another time. Doing a little research and putting connections together which I am rather good at as a amature historian. it is possible that the Wallace Clan was not all one family but a group of Welsh aka Strathclyde Britons who came together up with FitzAlan and collectively founded the Wallace Clan, with some ending up in Ireland or already connected Then again all the families I am mentioning below could be distant kin to one another if you factor in the Veneti aka The Tribe Within factor.
To begin ~
The name Wallace may come from the Old French word ‘waleis’ meaning a ‘welshman’; Richard Walensis was from the Welsh border area. But the Scottish form of the name may refer to a Strathclyde Briton – early records show the name was common in Renfrewshire and Ayrshire.
Then the Surname Walsh meaning “Briton” or “foreigner”, literally “Welshman” or “Wales”, taken to Ireland by British (Welsh, Cornish and Cumbrian aka Strathclyde Britons) soldiers during and after the Norman invasion of Ireland. They were probably members of Wallace clan
The surname Breathnach is also associated and means the same as above, one connection may be the FitzGerlads who descend from Nest ferch Rhys ap Tewdwr was the daughter of the last king of South Wales by his wife, Gwladys ferch Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn of Powys. Both of those line tie back to Cunedda which lead back to The Strathclyde Britons of the Yr Hen Ogledd
The Edwards surname has its founding in Wales but is also in Scotland around the Strathclyde area
The surname Reid is a nickname meaning ‘red haired one’ from a person with reddish hair. Variants include Read, Reade, Reed, Red and Readman. Many of the Britons in that area were known for red hair
The Burnett family comes from the reference to dark brown hair, again a trait of the Britons,Another proposed origin of the name is from brunette, a high quality wool cloth originally dyed too dark brown colour They came to the area of the Wallace’s and FitzAlan around the same time. Interesting one of their tartans is similar to Wallace
The Mathesons name comes from the gaelic ‘Mic Mathghamhain’ meaning ‘son of the bear’ The Bear is attributed to Cunedda himself and the legendary King Arthur who many attribute to Owain Danwyn, grandson of Cunedda whose honorific title was The Bear “yr arth aka ArthUr” Cunedda of course leads back to The Strathclyde Britons of the Yr Hen Ogledd
The Scrymgeours were standard bearers from their early Celtic origins, as it was customary for Celtic armies to be accompanied by sacred holy relics that were borne by a hereditary keepers.
The Galbraith family The name is derived from the elements gall (“stranger”) + Breathnach (“Briton”), meaning “British foreigner”. The elements used in the surname would denote the differences between the Gaels—who have been generally thought to have begun migration to Scotland in about the 5th century—and the native Welsh speaking Britons, particularly those of the Kingdom of Strathclyde In Scottish Gaelic the Galbraiths are called Breatanuich or Clann-a-Bhreatannuich, meaning “Britons” and “Children of the Britons” Similar to that of the others
The surname Corbett is attributed to the Dark Raven or Cough which is a symbol of King Arthur and that of Cornwall. Cornwall is also known as West Wales and was settled by the Celtic Britons
Lastly the surname Ward aka Mac an Bhaird MacAward and , McWard, MacEward, comes from son of the Bard of which the Bards recorded history of the Celtic Britons and where a branch of the Druids
So the Kindred that made up Clan Wallace at its founding were of course: Walies/Welsh, Walsh, FitzGerald/Maurice, Edwards, Reid, Burnett, Matheson, Galbraith, Scrymgeours, Corbett and Ward.
I do like putting connections together and it does make sense to make those connections between those surnames and clans that some if not all of them made up the Clan Wallace and are entitled to wear the Tartan as well as their own. There are too the Breton Veneti connection but that’s way detailed in DNA and I would rather leave that to the book The Tribe Within.
Clans were all about marriages, distant kinships and smaller clans/families seeking the protections of larger clans such as the MacDonald who have over 100 associates or septs. It may be a stretch what I propose but the connections are there it is a possibility. It always boils down to wear what tartan you like chances are that particular clan is in your family tree one way or another either by direct lines or one of the many wibbly wobbly branches, or by distant marriage. One always has to keep in mind the IAP Identical Ancestor Point where aboutg 700 odd years or so if you have at least ONE European ancestor in your tree you are descended from 80 percent of the population. Here is the link to the video explaining that https://youtu.be/15Uce4fG4R0
JustKiltme.com is pleased to announce the exclusive Otter Tartan! The official name in Gaelic Breacan Dobhran was designed by the proprietor who has claim to the title Baron Of Otter; a kilt/ tartan expert and historian whose clan bears the Otter on their Arms, Clan Balfour. The Otter Tartan is in deference to clan Balfour and it’s branches Arms along with clans and families that bear the Otter in Heraldry from Lutrell, Fullerton, MacBeath; along with numerous others who have the Otter in their Heraldry and Clan mythology. The Tartan also pays deference to the Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Breton and Norse heraldry, mythology and Legends that include Otters, the Lochs, Streams and Sea where the Dyfrgi (Water dogs) live and play in lore.
The colours Black, Brown, White and Blue pay homage to the wee creatures that delight us so; and the legend of brenin dyfrgwn saith dyfrgi du. Otter king seven black otters. Found in Irish, Welsh and Scottish legend and tales of ‘Otter Kings’ who were accompanied by seven black otters. When captured, these beasts would grant any wish in exchange for their freedom. But their skins were also prized for their ability to render a warrior invincible, and were thought to provide protection against drowning. Luckily, the Otter Kings were hard to kill, their only vulnerable point being a small point below their chin. The tartan also pays homage the whole kinship of the clans, septs, surnames associated with Otters, the love of Otters, a true Dobhran Coibhneil (Gaelic) Carennydd y Dyfrgi (Welsh) Kindred of Otters.
A special Heraldic Arms have been created for the Tartan and the Kindred designed by Chris Onyeaghor, with the motto of “vivet vita ad plenissimam” “Live Life To The Fullest” which Otters do.
This Exclusive Tartan was masterly woven by the Master Weaver at our Just Kilt Me “Partners In Tartan” WoodTex International.
With purchase you will become aelod o ddyfrgi caredig.. Member of Kindred Otter, an official membership certificate that you helped Otters and signifying you are a member of the kindred with the right to bear the Kindred Arms signed by Baron Otter
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Clans and their connections for various reasons clans are connected with other ones , sometime smaller clans seek the protection of larger like MacDonald which is the largest and have most septs aka subbranches. Alliance and marriage along with similar origin explain why clans often share tartans not only as septs “entitled to wear” or by similar origin are 99 percent identical (most tartans there are less than 10 percent different). One has to factor in that when most of these tartans were designed the available colours were limited too.
The following have either similar to identical origins or branched off from in the case of one son started clan X and and another started clan Y ; married into one way or another or have a Kindred Connection which I will go into later as that is complicated.
Also one has to consider the Identical Ancestor Point which is basically everyone that was alive in Europe in the 9th century who left descendants, which accounts for about 80 percent of the population is the ancestor of every single person alive today who has at least one European ancestor in their tree. You can read more on this and watch a video too at.
So in a nutshell you can really wear whatever Tartan you like because thanks to the IAP you are their descendants or related somehow if that particular clan started later think of it as your X number great uncle or aunt in some cases started a clan or married into.
Check out Clan Fletcher
The name Fletcher is derived from the French word flechier from where they origin , which means arrow maker. The name was a very common trade name, so much so that it became used in the Scottish Gaelic language as fleisdear. Their skill as arrow makers were rather sought after, they married into and Served such clans as MacGregor, Stewart and the Campbells along with the Arhurs . They wear mainly the Tartans of the MacGregors and Campbells.
Campbell Tartan MacGregor
Clan Arthur
Clan Arthur aka MacArhur/McArthur have the same Origin as the Campbells in a willy wobbly way.
In a nutshell Clan Arthurs are descent from a son of Arthur thus the Mac or Mc meaning son of…. since Arthur was an honourific known as The Bear would it be Clan MacBear?
The legends of King Arthur are well known and historically contradictory. From the Welsh-speaking areas of Strathclyde (in which Glasgow now lies), Rheged and Gododdin (in which Edinburgh now lies), the earliest surviving Scottish poem tells of the resistance leader Arthur fighting against the English of Northumbria when they defeated Gododdin. When Scotland’s Welsh-speaking Kingdoms were wiped out the language returned to Wales and Cornwall This all makes since Cunedda came from Manaw Gododdin to Wales in order to fight the Irish invaders, he established the Gwynedd Kingdom and progenitor to the various Welsh kingdoms, one way or another they were Cadet BranchesHis Grandson Owain Danwyn (Old Welsh Danguin, also spelled Ddanwyn, Ddantgwyn, etc., meaning “White Tooth”), is known from several medieval genealogies of the kings of Rhos. Which is located in the North of Wales not far from Northumbria. Numerous historians and scholars say that Owain Danwyn was the Historical King Arthur (which gives him the Scottish connection through his lineage). The theory is based on British power structure in the 5th century, and interpretations of names and epithets associated with Owain’s family., “Arthur” was Owain’s honorific title, meaning “Bear”, and his capital was Viroconium in Shropshire, England ** The forename Arthur may owe its origins to the Greek word “arktouros” meaning keeper of the bears and in the Celtic world it came to mean “strong as a bear”
One son was Cynlas Goch, another returned to Strathclyd and founded Clan MacArthur (son of Arthur or Son of Bear) and resettled in Argyll ; in the 1200’s MacArthur married the heiress of Duncan mac Duibhne. Later the Clanh Ua Duibhne carried the nickname Cam beul. So through the MacArthurs came the Campbells. A Branch of the Arthurs became the hereditary Pipers and married into Clan Donald aka MacDonald
The MacArthurs have their own Tartan which is practically identical to one of the Campbells, so MacArthur’s/Arthurs wear Campbell of Argyll (the identical one) and that of McDonalds (who have the most septs/subbranches of any Clan)
**the Roman city of Viroconium (corresponding with Wroxeter) was fortified in about the same time as the foregoing. An inscription bearing the name of a former king – Cunorix – indicates that the city was occupied by the Cunedda family of the Votadini. The ‘CUN’ prefix indicates this as indeed the ‘RIX’ suffix is a variant of -‘REX’ (King). The inscription – Cunorix macus Maquicoline (King Cuno, son of Maquicoline[?] -this last name is damaged) The stone has been dated to circa AD 480, indicating that Viroconium was flourishing in the time of Arthur. Other evidence dates the abandonment of Viroconium to circa AD 520 – an entirely plausible date for the battle of Camlann(n).
Since it seems the Clan Campbell owes its start to The MacArthurs it is only fitting that these tartans are associaed
BlackWatch by Campbell Chief’s rule the only official Campbell but it disputed by many
Campbell of Argyll also worn by Clan MacArthur
Check out Clan Kelly… Kelloe, a barony in the lands of Home in Berwickshire,Kelly, near Arbroath; and Kellie, in Fife. and Northumbria They married into branch of MacDonald and wear their tartan
The Journey To Kilts….. How Just Kilt Me came about..
By professioin I am a publicist, something I have been doing since 1992, in the mid 80’s I was in 2 different New Wave Bands, in 1990 on a trip to the UK I sat next to who turned out to be a publicist named Shirley McLean. She is the one who got me started on the PR journey after a conversation via telephone when I was in the UK.. She had given me her number on the pklane and told me to call. She asked what did I do and told her I worked for Wendys.. She asked if I would like to Scout talent for EMI UK she could set me up,. Once I got back to Toledo OH we chatted again (early in the am when it was cheap for a internatonal call) and set me up with EMI UK. I went around Toledo, Chicago and Detroit listenig to bands, submitting reports to EMI UK, all while living in OHIO before the age of the internet and did all right at it, After about 2 years of doing it I was tired of it and asked her how do I become a publicist, she immmediately took me under her wing and I workd with her on a variety of international projects, a few movies as her assistant never really do anything on my own; she also introduced to me PR legend Lynn Franks via the phone, Lynn was great and she asssinged me to work wiht a lady name Tilly. Once again from Toledo OH before the age of the interent I workd on projects with Tilly and still Shirley, early long distance phone calls, ticking away on the typwriter, going to the post office, libary to look things up, fax machines etc. all while still working at Wendys and later down the road other jobs.
I finally went on my own in 1995 doing PR and varous part time jobs it wasn’t unitl 2001 I went full time in PR. Any one who tells you being self employed is easy is lying to you . It has been a good journey that I still love and continue to do.
When it comes to kilts and my love for them that is all tied in with my family histroy I alway knew one famly branch came from Wales and I loved everything British, the Royals, British things like food and tv, phrases and writing. I always thought kitls were cool and loved the bagpipes. After years and years of family research, filling in the tree and getting my DNA done did things really get intereting,. While my “British” percent wasn’t as big as I thought my overall NW European and French/German side was a lot more (keep in mind the Current Royal family is basically German) For quick reference Broadly NW European streachs from Ireland, Icleand, The British Isles, France, Breton, Germany, and the Norse Countries, it just means your dna is too interetwined to pin down. Doing my tree I discoved that the majoriity of my ancestors in the UK and that stems from Wales, Scotland and England, were of: Norman, French, Flemish, Danish, Saxon and Norse origin. During a long period of Brisith history both Willam I of England and David I of Scotland were offering lands to those who would help protect the land, a huge number of Scottish clans are of those origin and of course they all married into various local populations. My Welsh and Irish side are scattred with those gentic infulencs too but have deep historical roots of the Brythonic inhabitants too. See DNA is good to do but one has to do the trees also as it explains in better detail how ancestry comes about. Then you have to keep in mind the whole Identical Ancestor Point which is basically if you have ONE European Ancestor if you go back 800 years you are descendant from 80 percent of the population; the further you go back the more people you are related to but the less people there are in the world; Lines cross over and cousins marry cousins have been the norm on your tree you will proably discover your 2 or 3 times great grandparents were 3 or 4th cousins and maybe did not know it. In a nutshell there is a connection between everyone which leads in to wear what ever tartan you like because chances are one way or another you are releated to that particualr clan.
I may have gone to far on how I got into kilts but to know the background and the ancestal ties is important to know as it fuels my love and passion for them
Kilts are great there is a connection to history, to ancestors and heritage, it is something tangible
So you know I am a publicist and have numerous clients including fashion,, ah ha the kilt thing comes into play, I starrted with one kilt the Royal Stewart a few years later I got another then another then went on a kilt craze and got 5 which seems lke a lot unitl you realise how many I have at the moment. Since I had kilts and knew of family connections I wanted to promote a kilt maker after numerous attempts to be a brand amabssodar for a kilt company to reaching out to various kilt makers about team ups and promotions that were not successful the idea started to flurish I should just do this myself.
So I did… i started to formulate my passion first thing I had to do was to find a supplier that would work with me and I wouldn’t have to go broke doing this., After lots of research and digging into suppliers and kilt makers I was fortunate to find a actual Tartan Weaving Mill that were also kilt makers with master tailors as a added bonus they have been in the Tartan buisness for about 60 years, the owners father started the buisness and he was trained in Scotland at one of the oldest Tartan Weaving MIlls in the country,
The next step was coming up wth a name .. there was only just one Just Kilt Me! It’s a fantastic play on words that brings my passion right to the point. Finding a very talented web designer that wasn’t going to cost me an arm and a leg one local lad who I had chatted to occassionaly at the local Kroger by the name of Lem, was doing samples for Quorn (a great Vegetarian product btw). Long story short I was telling him what I was doing, he said he did websites and would love to and not charge me a lot… So there ya go. I enlisted my graphic designer who I have been working with for over a decade to get a logo.. He also created a number of promo designs to put on social media. Then a few months later I launched it all!
It’s a slow but steady build, as we Brit’s say “slow and steady wins the race!” Kilts are a cerain Niche’ but I intend to change that to be every day wear for guys and gals! All of our kilts are custome made to order (unlike so many of them out there) they are durable and will last decades so it is sustainable not throw away fashion. They look good on everyone, and comfortable to wear along with being good for all types of weather. Most importanly they are affordable made of an excellent Poly Viscoe blend (all natural and sustainable).
In this day when people leave house wearing sweat pants aka joggers, pj bottoms, bedroom slippers to go to class, work, the store (now mind you there is always an exception to the rule like you’re sick, going to hospial etc) genarally looking like a bunch of slobs it is time we start to look our best again. Growing up Mum wouldn’t let me leave the hosue looking sloppy, that is something everyone should keep in mind everything they step out that door. Are you pants droopy? Really Sweat Pants? Slippers? NO.. it is time to Simply Look Better, it is time to Kilt UP!
Justkiltme.com carries over 70 tartan choices, many are rare and hard to find that others simply do not carry, that is one advantage to being partners with a Tartan Weavinng Mill. Kilts, Utility Kilts, Tartan Trousers, Billie Kilts aka the Mini Skirt, Vests, Argyll and the more formal Prince Charlie Jackets that are available in Tweed or Barathea Wool Blend which are all Custom Made To Measurements. Additionally cusstom made Tartan bow ties and traditional ties, and pocket squares are avaialbe as add on’s . Any Taratan can be put on a Sporran too as an add on to orders as well.
One special Taran that is being woven now is the exclusive to Justkiltme.com and designed by the proprietor The Otter Tartan known in Gaelic as Breacan Dobhran. Designed in defference to Otters in Welsh, Scottish, Irish, Norse and Celitc mytholgy and clan/family heraldry and traditions. In particualr the Legend of the Ottter King and the 7 Black Otters. Along with of course in love of the playful, cleaver Otters theirselves. The Colours of Black, Brown, White and Blues represent the affetionatly known Dyfrgi (Water Dogs) along with the Seas, Rivers and Lochs where they live and play. A Portion of the proceeds from this Exclusive Tartan will go to beneifit Otter Conservation Chairites.
Hopefull this gives you some insight to the journey of the kilt, why and how I got involved in this
Kilts.. Heritage..Culture 