Welsh
Madoc Tartans & Clan
The Welsh name of Madoc originates from the Old welsh names of Madawc and Madog as well as Matoc, which translates to 'goodly'. It was first recorded in Herefordshire where the dynasty held a family seat from ancient times with the name first documented on the early censuses taken by the early Kings of Britain. Madoc ap Owain Gwynedd was believed to have been a Welsh prince of the 12th century, who sailed to America over three hundred years prior to the voyage of Christopher Columbus. The legendary story attainted great prominence throughout the Elizabethan era, telling the tale that the Welsh were truly the first to step on American soil!
Who Wears Madoc 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.
- Mattick
- Mattix
- Maddock
Madoc 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
- Dress
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.
Dress 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
Madoc Clan Origins & History
Explore the History of the Welsh name Madoc
How it all started
The Welsh name of Madoc originates from the Old welsh names of Madawc and Madog as well as Matoc, which translates to 'goodly'. It was first recorded in Herefordshire where the dynasty held a family seat from ancient times with the name first documented on the early censuses taken by the early Kings of Britain. Madoc ap Owain Gwynedd was believed to have been a Welsh prince of the 12th century, who sailed to America over three hundred years prior to the voyage of Christopher Columbus. The legendary story attainted great prominence throughout the Elizabethan era, telling the tale that the Welsh were truly the first to step on American soil!
What's in the Madoc tartan?
The Welsh Madoc tartan is predominately blue and has yellow, red, green and black stripes running throughout.
Castell y Bere
Castell y Bere is a remote ancient castle ruin stretched out over a jagged rocky outlet in the Dysynni Valley, at the bottom of Cader Idris. The fortress was built by the Welsh prince Llyywelyn asp Iorwerth in order to protect the Kingdom of Gwynedd but once the English invaded it was taken under their control in the later 13th century. However, it was the sight where to courageous Welsh leader, Madoc ap Llywelyn, mounted a revolt again King Edward I where it was besieged by the Welsh!
The Welsh name Madoc translates into meaning 'goodly' or 'fortunate'.
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