No Idea how accurate this is but, from http://www.woolrichfabrics.com/colle...falo_check.php

Legend has it this distinctive Scottish pattern, known for centuries as Rob Roy, was dubbed "Buffalo Check Plaid" by our designer (circa 1850) in honor of the small herd of buffalo he owned here in central Pennsylvania. By the late 1800s, American buffalo hunters commonly wore the now-famous Woolrich Buffalo Check Shirt. Today, people the world over associate Woolrich with this iconic pattern even though it is used by many companies in many different ways… and we take that as a compliment.