Scottish equivalent of "Smith"

[billmcc]

I have had the thought of just sticking with the Marine Corps Tartan and moving on. That might just be the best thing to do at this point (I'm not giving up, though).

The leatherneck tartan is nice. Wear it proudly. There are other American tartans, like the American Heritage tartan (see here: http://www.usakilts.com/store/registered_tartans.php) that may have some appeal to you.

[macwilkin]

There is also a very handsome Stirling & Bannockburn District tartan:

http://www.district-tartans.com/stirling.htm

In regards to Phil's comparison of the clans to the mafia, whilst it certainly makes sense, I think an alternative comparison can be made with the various Native American tribes and clans of North America. Colin Calloway discusses the similarities between the Highlanders and Indians in his book White People, Indians and Highlanders: Tribal People and Colonial Encounters in Scotland and America (Oxford University Press) which is worth perusing.

And, to add to Daz's comparisons to sports teams, Lowlanders would have viewed Highlanders and their culture much like the Scots-Irish frontiersmen viewed their Native American neighbours.

Regards,

Todd

[sirdaniel1975]

Please READ!

Names in RED are closest variant spellings I've found.



From:

The Surnames of Scotland

by George F. Black

page 354

HERBERTSON, 'son of Herbert,' from OE. personal name Herebeorcht, meaning 'army bright.' Archibald Herbertson was burgess of Glasgow in 1525 (REG., 497), and Robert Herbertsoune was a notary public there in 1536. The name is common in the Glasgow protocol books of the sixteenth century as Herbisone (1551), Herbisoune (1550). George Harbertsone is recorded as a witness in Glasgow in 1559 (HP., n, p. 203), William Herbesone of North Berwick is mentioned in 1555 (CMN., p. 70), and Richard Harbertson, son of John Harbertsoun, notary, was burgess of Glasgow in 1605 (Inquis. Tut., 75). Margaret Herbertson is recorded in the parish of Monkland in 1619 (Campsie), andMartin Herbertson was tenant in the barony of Mousewall (Mouswald, Dumfriesshire) in 1673 (PSAS., XXIII, p. 74). An Action at law against Georg Harbeisone in Hairshaw, 1706 (Coreshill, p. 213). Harbersone, Harbertsone, Harbeson, and Harbisone 1706, Herbertsoun 1609.

[gilmore]

This has certainly been enlightening. I'm finding something new at every turn.

At this stage, I'm thinking more and more that the best way to move forward is simply to embrace my heritage and simply adopt the Tartan that best identifies me. That would undoubtedly have to be the Leatherneck. Though I only served one tour of duty, I'm a Marine until the day I die. Seems fitting. Still, I'm planning within the next few years to visit Scotland and County Stirling is at the top of my list. I've found so far, that every Harbison I've ever encountered can trace their lineage back to an ancestor we have in common, at least in this country. I wouldn't be surprised to find that many if not most I might encounter there are (very) distant cousins.

The Harbison Y DNA Project http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb....NA_Project.htm has identified six groups of Harbisons. It seems that it's likely that that number can be reduced to four genetic groups of them who are related to each other, if I read the pages correctly.

Two of these groups have been traced via the paper trail to Ulster, and one of those is assumed to have come there from Refewshire in Scotland. Perhaps two are traceable to England.

"...However, there is no one Harbison family, at least that we know of, thus no right or wrong answer when comparing ancestries. Harbisons in America have come from Wales, England, Ireland, Australia, and even Germany, and, over time, the surname has also been spelled or recorded as Harbinson, Harbeson, Hardison, Harvison, Harveson, Harberson and about 40 other variations. We welcome participation by all variations."

[David H]

I have been doing a lot of research the past three or four years. I did find out that one of my gg grandmothers was a McKinney which is associated with Clan McKenzie. I have come to find out that that particular line of McKinney's may have come from the eastern portion of Scotland, Argyle. So I will probably get a tartan that represents that area of Scotland.

However, I believe that I found out my mothers direct line to Northumberland, so I will probably be getting a Northumberland or Shepherd Tartan soon. My fathers direct line goes to Devon, so chances are one day I may get a Devon Tartan.

I have a USAF Kilt that I wear quite a bit since I have been in the USAF/Reserves/Air Guard for over 26 years. My wife's grandmother was a Henry. They are linked to Clan Henderson.

I do have a McKenzie and Henderson kilt however, since I do not have a strong connection to any one clan, I prefer to wear a tartan of where my ancestors are from. That is why I will be getting the Northumberland and Devon soon.

[BEEDEE]

Please READ!

Names in RED are closest variant spellings I've found.



From:

The Surnames of Scotland

by George F. Black

page 354

HERBERTSON, 'son of Herbert,' from OE. personal name Herebeorcht, meaning 'army bright.' Archibald Herbertson was burgess of Glasgow in 1525 (REG., 497), and Robert Herbertsoune was a notary public there in 1536. The name is common in the Glasgow protocol books of the sixteenth century as Herbisone (1551), Herbisoune (1550). George Harbertsone is recorded as a witness in Glasgow in 1559 (HP., n, p. 203), William Herbesone of North Berwick is mentioned in 1555 (CMN., p. 70), and Richard Harbertson, son of John Harbertsoun, notary, was burgess of Glasgow in 1605 (Inquis. Tut., 75). Margaret Herbertson is recorded in the parish of Monkland in 1619 (Campsie), andMartin Herbertson was tenant in the barony of Mousewall (Mouswald, Dumfriesshire) in 1673 (PSAS., XXIII, p. 74). An Action at law against Georg Harbeisone in Hairshaw, 1706 (Coreshill, p. 213). Harbersone, Harbertsone, Harbeson, and Harbisone 1706, Herbertsoun 1609.

Harbison does not feature in Tartans for Me. However, Herbertson does and shows both Glasgow and Musselburg District tartans as appropriate. Hope this helps.

Brian

[Bugbear]

I think it is just fine to use the tartan of a group to which you belong in place of a clan tartan for us out here playing Scot, so be proud of your Leather Neck tartan. It may be the only way you can relate to how a Scot feels about the clan tartan. You will understand what I am saying if someone ever starts putting down the Leather Neck tartan; though, I hope that never happens to you.

[thescot]

You seem to be a member of my clan: Clan MacPuller. The clan is named after its most important chief, Chesty Puller, who set the standard for true performance.

All members of Clan MacPuller are dedicated to God, Corps, and Country, and constantly remember the clan motto: Semper Fidelis. The arms of the chief include an eagle, globe, and anchor which have become the clan badge of all clansmen. This is the cap badge of a typical clansman:


Clanmen are known for their integrity, sense of honor and devotion to duty, and there understanding that freedom is not free, accompanied by a willingness to pay most of the price of freedom for everyone else.

Once a clanman, one is always a clansman (unless drummed out of the clan or dishonoring the clan). And it is not uncommon for any clanman who meets another to do so with a greeting that always includes saying the motto out loud.

The MacPullers (literally, "children of Chesty") proudly claim the title from the halls of Montezuma in Mexico to the northern coast of Africa (Tripoli to be exact), the long way around, since they have established clan HQ's in most of the places in between. Other similar clans (e.g., those that weigh anhors, roll caissons, or dwell in the wild blue) often envy the MacPullers and attempt to immulate them, their appearance, and their discipline, but they never quite pull it off.

The mystique of the MacPullers lies in the fact that one must experience being a MacPuller in order to understand. As US Army General William Thompson put it, ""There are only two kinds of people that understand [MacPullers: MacPullers] and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."

The only thing I could find about Harbison--and it's pretty shaky as to its facts--is that the family was first recorded in Argyleshire and that the family motto was something like Dues spes mea. Being in Argyle, I guess you could claim kinship with the Campbells, but you might want to think about that.

Better stick with the MacPullers. Lord knows they'll stick with you.

(Disclaimer: the above is a tongue-in-cheek bit of fancy in praise of all things US Marine Corps, and is not intended in any way to offend the Army, Navy, Air Force, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Blue Birds, Rainbow Girls, Baptists, or Campbells. The author, a MacPuller, is justly proud of his heritage as should be all other folks who never got to be Marines.)

Semper fi. Carry on.

[Rowland]

Least we not forget there are also the heritage tartans as well. Point of fact there are lots of Scottish heritage tartans. To add to that list you mention German heritage, there is a heritage tartan for that as well.....and it is so lovely to boot.

Keep in mind that no matter who you are in this world you can trace your linage back to someone from somewhere.

i.e. My mothers maiden name is Landers which is a sept of the Lamont clan. I have our family tree written back to about the 15th cent. Can you imagine how many names are in that tree? Just from my mothers line i can see members who either are or were septs of 10 different clans. You throw in my father (sir name Bryant) which is of Irish decent and i could easily find another handful of clans and district tartans that would fit.

End of the day you find a tartan that suit you and go with it. Outside of the fine people on this forum, who really knows the meaning of it all anyway

[Phogfan86]

Good gravy.

Find a tartan. Wear it respectfully and proudly at all times. Learn about it. Learn about the clan. Questions will come up. Often. Being able to talk about your tartan and clan -- even if it's just your best guess -- is just as cool as donning the tartan.

Enjoy.