Scottish Clans
Henderson Tartans & Clan
Hendersons can claim descent from a King of the Picts and down through five unique bloodlines evolving from the regions of Caithness, Fordell, Glencoe, Shetlands/Liddesdale and Ulster. Hendersons from the Glencoe region have strong ties to the MacDonald Clan and were renowned as pipers and bodyguards to the Glencoe MacDonald Chief (MacIan). Hendersons from the Caithness region have ties to the Clan Gunn.
Who Wears Henderson Tartan? - Associated Names
First of all to explain why there are so many tartans, way over 2000 in fact. There are an awful lot of Scottish clans to start with and on top of this each clan can have many different tartans and names associated with it.
- D'Handresson
- Eanrig
- Eanruig
- Enderson
- Endherson
- Endirsone
- Henders
- Henderson
- Hendersone
- Hendersonne
- Hendersoun
- Hendersoune
- Hendery
- Hendirsone
- Hendirsoune
- Hendrie
- Hendrisoune
- Hendry
- Henersoun
- Hennersoune
- Hennryson
- Henresoun
- Henreysoun
- Henriesoun
- Henrison
- Henrisone
- Henrisoun
- Henrisoune
- Henry
- Henryesson
- Henryson
- Henrysoun
- Kendrick
- Kenrick
- MacCanrig
- MacCanrik
- MacEanruig
- MacEnrick
- MacHendric
- MacHendrie
- MacHendry
- MacHenrie
- MacHenrik
Henderson Tartans
3 variationsEach tartan can have multiple variations, the most common of which are Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress
About tartan variations
- Ancient
- Modern
- Weathered
- Hunting
- One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if
Ancient Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans, mossy greens and sky blues, a more orangey red and some would say showing off the pattern to much greater effect as as the contrasts are much brighter than the Modern tartans. The pattern or sett remains the same across all variations of a single tartan, and only the shades or tones vary.
Helpful Advice
Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Modern Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer colours typical of the Ancient tartans. Post 1860 chemical dyes replaced the natural animal and vegetable dyes and the Modern Tartans were born with their stronger and bolder colours. The soft greens and blues become bottle green and navy blue, reds are scarlet.
Helpful Advice
The Modern tartans are often the more subtle combinations such as the classic Black Watch Modern
Weathered Tartan
Before 1860 fabrics were coloured using animal and vegetable dyes. This produced the softer, more earthy colours typical of the Weathered tartans, reminiscent of bolder colours subjected to wind, rain and sunshine producing beautiful faded tones, olive greens and browns, and very light blues with reds that are more pink than red.
Helpful Advice
Some mills refer to the Weathered tartans as Muted.
Hunting Tartan
The Hunting Tartans are the camouflage tartans and some clans don't have these variations because they are already predominantly green or brown and don't need amendment to blend in with nature's colours. The Black Watch or Gunn tartans are examples of these, whereas a tartan such as the Fraser is predominantly red and would not provide much cover for men out hunting.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if Tartan
The Dress Tartans were designed as the name suggests for celebrations and highland dance. The sett or pattern of the tartan remains the same and the main colour is changed to white, or extra white is added to the pattern to give it a brighter, more "fancy" appearance. The Scots do like to bend the rules and occasionally instead of white thread, yellow is used and this is where the rather wild MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came from.
Helpful Advice
One thing to remember if you are ordering your tartan to match an existing kilt or accessory is that although the sett and colours are the same, there can be a slight difference in colour from one mill to the next. This is purely down to yarn dying so if you need an exact match we suggest you order a swatch to double check.
From the start
Henderson Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan Henderson
How it all started
Territories
Clan Henderson claimed territory in Caithness, Glencoe, the Shetland Islands, and Fordell in Fife, where they established their clan seat, Fordell Castle. The different branches of the family had a variety of different allies.
In Caithness, they associated closely with Clan Gunn, whereas in Glencoe, they forged a strong alliance with Clan MacDonald. An independent branch of the Henderson clan formed in Liddesdale and Ewesdale, where they played a small but significant part in the notorious border-reiving of the 16th century.
Clan Chief
The current chief of Clan Henderson is Alistair D. Henderson of Fordell, who inherited the role from his father in 2005.
He lives in Brisbane, Australia, and has a successful career as an electrical engineer, focusing on the field of air pollution control.
He is highly passionate about Scottish history and is a member of the Heraldry Society of Scotland, the Scottish Genealogy Society, and serves as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
Henderson is proud of the vibrant community the society supports, and enthusiastically represents the clan at various traditional events and gatherings each year.
Where does the name Henderson come from?
‘Henderson’ is a patronymic name, meaning that it references a paternal ancestor. In this case, it means ‘son of Henry,’ or ‘son of Hendry.’
The Glencoe branch of the clan are thought to have taken the English version of their name from the Gaelic translation of Henry or Hendry, ‘Eanruig.’
They boast very lofty origins, claiming to descend from the Pictish prince, Eanruig Mor Mac Righ Neachtain!
Do Clan Henderson have a Plant Badge?
Clans would wear sprigs of their plant badge to signify their identity. They were often worn attached to bonnets or pinned to the shoulder of a sash.
Clan Henderson’s plant badge is the extremely distinctive cotton-grass, which you can recognise by its dark green narrow leaves and fluffy white flower heads. Cotton-grass is widespread across Scotland and can be found on countless moorlands and heaths.
In Celtic tradition, cotton-grass represents endurance and resilience, as it thrives in harsh conditions, as well as mysticism and a connection to the supernatural. Its fluffy white flowers have long been associated with fairy beds!
Do Clan Henderson have a Society?
If you are looking for a way to connect with your Henderson peers, why not join the Clan Henderson Society?
The Society welcomes all those who are descendants of ‘MacEanruig’ from across the world! If you join, you will be supporting their noble goals, which includes fostering Scottish culture, promoting Scottish festivals and games, assisting in genealogical research, promoting the history of clans, and more!
The society also runs an admirable scholarship programme which aims to encourage young people to value and preserve their Scottish heritage by learning traditional Celtic arts and skills.
Fordell Castle
Fordell Castle was built in the 16th Century, it is located in Fife and is the historic seat of Clan Henderson. The Henderson family acquired the Fordell lands in the late 15th Century and built the castle within the grounds. However, the Castle did not stand long as it was destroyed in 1568 when the Henderson Family supported Mary Queen of Scots. After this the Castle was re-built numerous times, with hardly any of the structure standing today from the original build. The Castle and the grounds are now in private ownership and were renovated at the start of the 2000s.
After the Hendersons left their clan seat of Fordell Castle at the end of the 19th century, many of their grand family portraits were given to the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland!
Image credit: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 2.0
Big Henderson of the Chanters
Renowned for their great strength and imposing size, Clan Henderson traditionally acted as personal bodyguards for the Chief of the Glencoe branch of Clan MacDonald. One particularly famous example was the striking ‘Big Henderson of the Chanters,’ who supposedly stood at 6ft 7 inches tall! Loyal and dedicated to the end, he sadly fell alongside the MacDonald Chief at the notoriously bloody Massacre of Glencoe in 1692.
Do Clan Henderson have a Crest?
Clan Henderson’s crest is described as ‘A cubit arm Proper the hand holding a star of five points Or with a crescent Azure between the upper points.’
This means that it displays a raised arm, with the hand clutching a gold star, on which rests a blue crescent moon.
This imagery seems very fitting for Clan Henderson, as they produced one of the most significant astronomers of the 19th century!
Do Clan Henderson have a War Cry?
Clan Henderson’s war cry was the simple but effective, ‘the Hendersons are here!’
This reflected their ever-readiness for battle and confidence in their fearsome reputation, as they clearly trusted that once an enemy heard the Henderson name, they would know what they were in for!
Are Clan Henderson connected to a Firth?
One branch of Clan Henderson held land, and a grand castle, near Dalgety Bay, a coastal town that borders the northern shore of the Firth of Forth.
The Firth of Forth stretches 96 km from Stirling to the Isle of May and is bridged in Kincardine and North Queensferry.
It boasts the only offshore islands of the East Coast, including Inchcolm Island, famous for its 12th century Abbey, and the Isle of May, beloved for its gatherings of puffins.
The Firth of Forth also has a rich commercial history, as it would have played a key role in transporting coal. Today, it hosts a number of boats that fish for crabs, lobsters, and prawns.
The Firth is also a highly significant area for nature conservation and is home to more than 90,000 breeding seabirds and was historically home to a large population of European oysters. This population was sadly almost completely depleted by overfishing in the 1900s, but luckily a project to reintroduce about 30,000 oysters back into the water has recently been successful.
Many tourists and locals alike visit the Firth each year to enjoy the scenic environment, yacht or kayak, or even take one of the popular cruise ships that operate on the estuary.
Image credit: Arcaist - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Henderson Stone
An unassuming granite stone that stands in an idyllic field near Glencoe holds a fascinating link to Clan Henderson’s history! Known as ‘The Henderson Stone,’ the boulder is the subject of many myths.
One of the most popular tales claims that a Campbell soldier, who knew of the impending Glencoe Massacre, tried to warn local people of the chaos about to unfold by cryptically speaking to the stone, eerily suggested that if the stone knew what was about to happen, it would flee from its spot in the field.
Do Clan Henderson have a Tartan?
Wearing or displaying your clan tartan is a great way to honour your ancestors and connect with your peers, and here at ScotlandShop, we have plenty of options for you to choose from!
We stock 3 variations of the Henderson tartan: modern, ancient, and weathered, each offering a different tone and depth of colour.
Let us know if you need any help finding the perfect one for you.
Clan Battles
Clan Henderson would defend their beliefs and stand by their allies until the bitter end. One particularly poignant example is the Battle of Flodden of 1513, one of the largest battles ever fought between Scotland and England.
James Henderson, Clan Chief and notable courtier, eagerly rallied to fight alongside the Scottish King James IV against the English army.
However, a number of strategic mistakes, including choice of weapons, timing, and terrain, caused difficulty for the Scots, ultimately leading to a devastating defeat.
The Scottish King himself was killed, as well as the loyal James Henderson, his eldest son, and an estimated 10,000 more men.
Even today, the Battle of Flodden is remembered as a tragic event in Scotland’s history, and James Henderson’s participation is seen as a testament to his great bravery, valour, and loyalty to his country.
Clan Henderson
Tartan Poll
There are three Clan Henderson tartans to choose from - vote in our poll to let us know your favourite(s)!
Clan Henderson
Famous Faces
Clan Henderson has produced some extremely talented members who have achieved great things across a wide range of fields. Come along with us to meet a few of their most accomplished figures!
TOP 5 FACTS
Clan Henderson
Learn about their plant badge, name origin, war cry and more.
The Castles of Clan Henderson
Clan Henderson has a long and winding history and have used their great influence to acquire a number of stunning castles in the beautiful Scottish countryside. Come along with us to discover a few fascinating sites of Clan Henderson!
Image credit: Jason Henderson
Clan Henderson
Quiz
How much do you think you know about Clan Henderson? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your Henderson Clan Knowledge now!
Clan Henderson
The Heartbreaking Tale of the henderson stone
In an eerily beautiful valley of Glencoe, nestled amongst rugged hills and sweeping heaths, stands an unassuming granite boulder known as ‘the Henderson Stone,’ that supposedly played a surprising role in one of Scotland’s deadliest battles, the 1692 massacre of Glencoe. Find out more in our short video.
Clan Henderson Among The Stars
Thomas james Henderson
Recognised as a highly important scientist, Thomas James Henderson’s work undeniably laid the foundations for modern astronomy. Find out more about this ‘star’ in our short video.
Clan Motto: Sola virtus nobilitat (Virtue alone ennobles)
