Scottish Clans
Irvine Tartans & Clan
Clan Irvine traces its origins to Aberdeenshire, where the family has held the lands and Barony of Drum since the 14th century, granted by Robert the Bruce to William de Irwyn for his loyal service. The Irvines of Drum played an important role in Scotland’s royal court and military history, serving as royal armour bearers and guardians of the royal forest of Drum.
Who Wears Irvine 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.
- AIRWIN
- AREWINE
- ARVINGE
- ARVON
- ARWINE
- CURWEN
- CURWIN
- CURWING
- CURWINGS
- deHERWYNE
- deHIREWINE
- deIREVIGNE
- deIRWIN
- deORVIN
- deYREWYNE
- del RUWYN
- del RWYN
- D'ORVIN
- EAREWIN
- EAREWINE
- EARVEN
- EARWEN
- EARWIN
- EARWING
- EIRRYN
- EIRVEN
- EIRVIN
- EIRVING
- EIRVYN
- EIRWIN
- EORVIN
- EORWINE
- ERBEINE
- EREIVIN
- ERENVINE
- ERENWINE
- EREVEIN
- EREVIN
- EREVINE
- EREVINE
- EREWYNIS
- ERIN
- ERIN-FEINE
- ERIN-VEINER
- ERIVEEN
- ERIVEN
- ERIVENE
- ERIVIN
- ERNWINE
- ERUM
- ERVAN
- ERVEN
- ERVENING
- ERVENS
- ERVEWIN
- ERVIEN
- ERVIN
- ERVINE
- ERVING
- ERVINGE
- ERVINGTON
- ERVINLET
- ERVION
- ERVIPNNE
- ERVPNNE
- ERVWIN
- ERVWYN
- ERWANE
- ERWEIN
- ERWIN
- ERWINE
- ERWING
- ERWINN
- ERWINNE
- ERWINSKI
- ERWINSS
- ERWYN
- ERWYNE
- ERYVINE
- ERYVINO
- ERYVINUS
- ERYVYNE
- ERYWEN
- EUERVINUS
- EURINI
- EURWINGS
- HERWYND
- HIEREWINE
- HIREVIGNE
- HIREWINE
- HURVEN
- IARWIN
- IERIVEN
- IERVINE
- IREVIN
- IREVINGNE
- IREWIN
- IREWING
- IREWYN
- IREWYNE
- IRIN
- IRINE
- IRLTYN
- IRLTYNE
- IRN
- IRREIN
- IRREWIN
- IRREWIN
- IRREWING
- IRREWINGS
- IRRIN
- IRRUEIN
- IRRUEN
- IRRUIN
- IRRUWIN
- IRRUWING
- IRRUWINGUS
- IRRUWYNG
- IRRVINGS
- IRRWIN
- IRRWING
- IRRWYNNIS
- IRUEYN
- IRUIN
- IRUINE
- IRUING
- IRUIUN
- IRUIUNE
- IRUVINE
- IRUWYN
- IRUWYNE
- IRUYNE
- IRVANE
- IRVEING
- IRVEN
- IRVENE
- IRVEYN
- IRVFEIN
- IRVIN
- IRVINS
- IRVINE
- IRVINEE
- IRVINER
- IRVINEY
- IRVING
- IRVINGE
- IRVINGS
- IRVINGSE
- IRVINGSS
- IRVINGSST
- IRVINN
- IRVINUE
- IRVON
- IRVUN
- IRVVWNG
- IRVYERINS
- IRVYING
- IRVYN
- IRWAIN
- IRWAN
- IRWAYNE
- IRWAYNES
- IRWEIN
- IRWEING
- IRWEN
- IRWENIS
- IRWINE
- IRWINEG
- IRWINE
- IRWING
- IRWINGE
- IRWINGER
- IRWINGH
- IRWINGTON
- IRWINGUS
- IRWINN
- IRWINS
- IRWIRN
- IRWON
- IRWYN
- IRWYNE
- IRWYNN
- IRWYNNIS
- IRYNAGIO
- IZAT
- IZATT
- IZSET
- IZSETT
- OERIN
- OERYN
- ORRUEIN
- ORVINE
- ORWIN
- OURINE
- OURON
- OURREN
- OWYRN
- UIRVINE
- UIRWIN
- UREWENS
- UREWING
- UROWRIN
- URRWINE
- URUIN
- URVEN
- URVENS
- URVIN
- URVINE
- URVIUNG
- URWAIN
- URWAINE
- URWAN
- URWEN
- URWENN
- URWENS
- URWIN
- URWINE
- URWING
- URWINS
- URWYNG
- VERVINE
- VERWAYN
- VROWING
- VRUING
- VRUVING
- VRVIN
- VRVYNN
- VRWAINE
- VRWAN
- VRWAYN
- VRWAYNE
- VRWEN
- VRWIN
- VRWING
- VRWM
- VRYNE
- YIRWING
- YIVEWING
- YREIN
- YREWING
- YRVIN
- YRWEN
- YRWENS
- YRWIN
- YRWINE
- YRWING
- YRWYNE
Irvine Tartans
4 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
Irvine Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan Irvine
How it all started
Territories
The traditional lands of Clan Irvine lie in Aberdeenshire, in the northeast of Scotland. The clan’s ancestral seat is Drum Castle, located near Banchory, on the edge of the royal Forest of Drum. These lands were granted to William de Irwyn by Robert the Bruce in the early 14th century and have remained closely associated with the Irvine family ever since.
Clan Chief
Alexander Irvine, 27th Baron of Drum, serves as Chief of the Name and Arms of Irvine of Drum and Patron of the Clan Irwin Association. Although he holds the title of 27th Baron of Drum under a Royal Charter granted in 1323, Scottish custom and family tradition refer to him colloquially as “Drum," while abroad he is often known as the “Baron of Drum.”
Where does the name Irvine come from?
The name Irvine is believed to originate from the River Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland, where early members of the family may have first settled. The name itself is likely derived from the Brittonic or early Celtic words ir (meaning green, fresh) and afon (meaning river), essentially translating to “green water” or “fresh river.” Over time, families who lived near or were associated with this river adopted de Irwyn, de Irvin, or de Irvine as a territorial surname. While some researchers also connect the name’s meaning to the same Gaelic roots as Irving (Erin-viene or Erin-fiene, meaning "true Westland man"), the Irvine spelling is most strongly linked to its geographic origin in Ayrshire and later Aberdeenshire.
Drum Castle
Drum Castle, the ancestral seat of Clan Irvine, stands in Aberdeenshire near Banchory, on the edge of the ancient Royal Forest of Drum. The lands and castle were granted to William de Irwyn by Robert the Bruce in 1323, in recognition of his loyal service as armour bearer and secretary. The original 13th-century tower house remains one of the oldest in Scotland, with later additions reflecting centuries of family history. Surrounded by woodlands, parkland, and the River Dee, Drum Castle served as both a stronghold and family home for the Irvines for over 650 years, symbolising the clan’s deep connection to the northeast of Scotland.
Centuries of Conflict: Clan Irvine and Clan Keith
For centuries, Clan Irvine and Clan Keith were locked in a bitter feud, one of the longest-running in Scottish history. The conflict largely centred on territorial disputes, particularly over hunting rights and boundaries in the Royal Forest of Drum in Aberdeenshire. Skirmishes between the two clans were frequent and at times violent, with both sides fiercely defending their claims. The feud continued for generations, symbolising the tensions that often arose between neighbouring clans in medieval Scotland. It was not until 2002, after over 600 years, that the chiefs of Clan Irvine and Clan Keith formally ended the feud in a ceremonial act of reconciliation at Drum Castle.
Clan Irvine’s Plant Badge
The plant badge of Clan Irvine is a sprig of holly, slipped and leaved proper, symbolising the clan’s strength, resilience, and enduring spirit. Holly, with its evergreen leaves and sharp points, reflects both protection and steadfastness qualities that have long been associated with the Irvine family. Like many Scottish clans, the plant badge served as a visual symbol of allegiance, worn on bonnets or displayed to identify members of the clan in times of gathering or battle.
The Crest of Clan Irvine
The crest of Clan Irvine features a sheaf of holly, consisting of nine green leaves (vert), tied together with a red band (gules). This carefully arranged bundle of holly continues the symbolism of the clan’s plant badge, representing unity, resilience, and protection. The nine leaves are sometimes seen to reflect the strength of the clan’s family branches, bound together by loyalty and shared heritage. As with many Scottish crests, it serves as a proud emblem of the chief’s authority and the enduring identity of Clan Irvine.
The Clan Irwin Association
The Clan Irwin Association is a global not-for-profit organisation based in the United States, recognised as a 501(c)(3) corporation. It was officially founded on 21 March 1976 by Ralph Irwin, building on the legacy of the earlier Irvine Society, which operated from 1910 into the 1930s. The Association celebrates the shared cultural heritage of families bearing the Irwin name and its many variations. Its mission includes fostering a sense of community, advancing genealogical research, and preserving the long and honourable story of the Irvine name across generations.
Clan Motto: Sub sole sub umbra virens (Flourishing both in sunshine and in shade)
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