I started doing some research on the names in our family tree, and one of them seems to be more complicated than I thought.

My Mother's side of the family includes the McKeon family from County Sligo. I stumbled across a Clan MacLachlan website that states that along with the various clan names, there are "also the MacEwan protectorate names...McKeon..."

Can someone explain this concept to me further? This certainly raises my curiosity as I search for tartans that I can 'rightfully wear.' (Just kidding everyone, I don't want to stir that pot again....)

Thanks in advance,

KL

I found an answer to my own question, and thought I would share it with the forum.

On the Clan MacLaughlan Association of North America there is an explanation of the MacEwen relationship (http://www.maclachlans.org/macewen.html) that is quite interesting.

Now, there are both MacEwen and MacLaughlan tartans out there.

On a related note, up until now, because of some of the comments of some outspoken board members, I have been reluctant to look at the tartans of my Scot brethern. Now, with some tie to a Clan (albeit a flimsy one), have I found an reason to expand my tartan collection?

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Originally Posted by Hosehead

I found an answer to my own question, and thought I would share it with the forum.

On the Clan MacLaughlan Association of North America there is an explanation of the MacEwen relationship (http://www.maclachlans.org/macewen.html) that is quite interesting.

Now, there are both MacEwen and MacLaughlan tartans out there.

On a related note, up until now, because of some of the comments of some outspoken board members, I have been reluctant to look at the tartans of my Scot brethern. Now, with some tie to a Clan (albeit a flimsy one), have I found an reason to expand my tartan collection?

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Not flimsy at all...the article states:

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To this day, unless a particular MacEwen family can be shown as not having sought protection from the MacLachlans, MacEwens desiring to join Clan MacLachlan will be openly accepted as part of Clan MacLachlan. This relationship has recently been confirmed by Sir Malcolm of Edingight, the Lord Lyon.

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Clan membership is determined by the Chief and historical prescedent, as well as blood line. There are many examples of Chiefs doing this with "other" surnames.

I've cited this before, but even the popular media has examples, the most prevelent being Golly Mackenzie on "Monarch" -- Since he is a Ghillie employed by the MacDonalds of Glenbogle, he wears a MacDonald tartan kilt.

I've always liked the MacEwan tartan, btw! Guid choice!

Cheers, (B)

Todd

Just be forewarned, the more you search, the more you will find. ;)

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Originally Posted by Hosehead

...have I found an reason to expand my tartan collection?

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Absolutely. :)

Currently I only have one tank, and it is in Gunn tartan (modern). I want more, and I would like them in the other tartans that I can wear: like Gunn Ancient, and the 3 color Gunn, any other Gunn alternates, and Boyd (and its variations). I wear Gunn cause my last name is "Wilson" and they are a recognized sept under Gunn. I have also heard that Wilson is recognized under Innes and Boyd oddly enough, but I haven't done any research into that. My mom's mom was a Boyd, so that is how I claim it.

I could also wear the Wilson tartan, but unfortunately, it is just flat ugly. It is not supposed to be, on computer screens it looks great. The colors are red, green, white, and blue. But every time I have seen a real world example, it always looks like white, green, purple, and orange. BLECH!

...uhmmm... I went online while composing this post, and noticed that there are tons of "Wilson" tartans!! What is up with that? I will have to bug Matt about that.

-ian

Matt can set us straight if I have this wrong; but, I belive that the Wilsons had a mill and they numbered their tartan until a family claimed it as their own.