Quote Originally Posted by MacBean View Post
Yes, I've read this too, but remain somewhat unconvinced, in part, because not all Highlanders were Catholic. Clan Chattan (MacKintosh, MacPherson, MacBean, MacQueen, Farquarson, and some of Davidson, Shaw, MacLean) were Highlanders but are recorded as being Episcopalean (Protestant with bishops, but not Presbyterian or Anglican). I am aware of several branches of the MacBean group who fought in the Revolution, and nearly all on the side of the Patriots. Some were Ulster Scots for sure, meaning that living near Ft.George after the Jacobite rebellions was uncomfortable, so they left for the Plantations (or perhaps there were other reasons, but there are precious few left in Scotland and an abundance of Beans in the USA).
Fair enough, since all generalities at some point fail.

One caveat, not sure if this is your method- using surnames as a proxy for Highlander/ Lowlander/ Ulster Scots identity can be dicey, unless you know the particular history for any individual.

That being said, one comparison I've made is based on the prevalence of Gaelic-derived "Highland" surnames of the roster of Loyalists and the prevalence of non-Highland surnames of the roster "Patriots" at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge. I'd be a little hesitant to use this a sole proxy, without the contemporary accounts that the Loyalists were wearing kilts, playing bagpipes, giving commands in the Gaelic, etc. that are all indicative of native Highland identity, while none of this was true of the Continentals.

The rosters are available from this publisher:
http://www.loyalistsandpatriots.com/...-0-9626172-2-9
http://www.loyalistsandpatriots.com/...-0-9626172-3-7

Cordially,

David