Welsh
Thomas Tartans & Clan
Thomas is a popular name all around the world it grew in popularity in Wales in the 17th century with Edmund Thomas. Edmund was an elected MP for Glamorgan and sat in Cromwell’s Upper House. These staunch beliefs meant he was a strong supporter of Cromwell during the English Civil War. Thomas was only one of three Welsh men in Cromwell’s upper circle and thus was put in charge of the militias in Glamorgan, Brecon and Rednor. Upon his death the estate was in jeopardy with the premature deaths of both of his children which led his sister-in-law to marry her distant cousin who became Sir John Thomas the 1st Baronet of Wenvoe.
Who Wears Thomas 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.
- Tamas
- Thom
- Thomason
- Thompson
- Thomson
- Tomas
- Tomasett
- Tomek
- Tomey
- Tomie
- Tomislaw
- Tomkin
- Tomlin
- Tomlinson
- Tommey
- Toombs
- MacThomas
- FitzThomas
- Thomasett
Thomas Tartans
1 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
Thomas Clan Origins & History
explore the history
How it all started
Thomas is a popular name all around the world it grew in popularity in Wales in the 17th century with Edmund Thomas. Edmund was an elected MP for Glamorgan and sat in Cromwell’s Upper House. These staunch beliefs meant he was a strong supporter of Cromwell during the English Civil War. Thomas was only one of three Welsh men in Cromwell’s upper circle and thus was put in charge of the militias in Glamorgan, Brecon and Rednor. Upon his death the estate was in jeopardy with the premature deaths of both of his children which led his sister-in-law to marry her distant cousin who became Sir John Thomas the 1st Baronet of Wenvoe.
What is the plaid?
The Thomas plaid holds a distinct red and green colour throughout.
Rhys ap Thomas
Sir Rhys ap Thomas was a Welsh soldier who played a pivotal part in the War of Roses. This legendary soldier was instrumental for the victory of the Tudors at the battle of Bosworth. The majority of Welsh landowners supported the Tudors after the Tudors gave them their land for their support during the civil war of Owain. The Tudors were losing, Rhy’s grandfather had died in battle and Rhys and his father were both exiled. When they returned, they got parts of their lands back and soon his father died. Rhys then promised his army to the Lancaster’s whilst still being a spy for the Tudors. So when the Tudors attacked once again, and the Lancaster ordered his soldiers to march he was already marching with the Tudors. The two sides met at Bosworth, Rhys planned a fast attack on Richard III. The Guto’r Glyn states that Rhys himself killed Richard with one blow of a pollaxe. After this, he was knighted right there on the battlefield and was appointed governor of Wales.
The Thomas motto is "Deo et patre" which translates to "For God and Country"
