Scottish Clans
Smith Tartans & Clan
The name Smith comes from the blacksmiths, bladesmiths, goldsmiths, silversmiths and metalsmiths who supplied almost all of Scotland with anything made of metal. Although every clan had its Smiths, the Smiths also had their own clan based around Loch Lomond.
Who Wears Smith 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.
- Gow
- Gowan
- MacGowan
- Macpherson
- Smeayth
- Smyith
- Smyithe
- Smyth
- Smythe
- Smytht
Smith 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
- 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
Smith Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of Clan Smith
How it all started
Territories
Clan Smith held land all over Scotland, but one particularly well-established branch of the family is said to have set up in Strathblane at Craigend over 400 years ago.
They began as tenants, but cannily managed to raise their status to lairds of the land. It is believed that they adopted the surname ‘Smith’ to reflect their vocation of blacksmiths and armourers for the Barony of Mugdock.
The clan is also tied strongly to Loch Lomond, with many lines of the family making their homes on the water’s shores.
A further well-known branch of the clan, known as ‘Slioch Gow Chruim,’ has ties to the Badenoch region, as in Gaelic, the word ‘gow,’ or ‘gobha,’ translates as Smith.’
Clan Chief
Clan Smith are an armigerous clan, which means that, while they are registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon, they do not currently have an officially recognised chief.
However, the Clan Smith Society has historically chosen an honorary chief for the family, with Emery Smith III currently holding the position.
It is thought that he is descended from David, a chief of Clan Smith who lived on the banks of Loch Lomond in the mid 17th century.
Image credit: Robert Insall - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Where does the name Smith come from?
The name ‘Smith’ is thought to have originated from the Old English word ‘smitan,’ meaning ‘to strike’ or ‘hammer,’ reflecting its links to trades such as carpentry, metalwork, and armory. It is one of the oldest recorded names in the British Isles, with one of its earliest known appearances dating all the way back to 975 AD, when an Ecceard Smith was mentioned in the Annals of Durham. Its association with skilled trade led to the name being rapidly and widely adopted, and to it becoming a symbol of strength, talent, and reliability.
Fyvie Castle
Fyvie Castle is located in the North of Scotland, near Aberdeen and the original castle was built during the 13th Century. Five families had possession of the castle, and while each family was in ownership they built their own tower, two of these towers have since fallen. The most grandest of the towers would have to be Seton tower as this forms the entrance to the castle.
A Member of Clan Chattan
Clan Smith was a member of Clan Chattan, a unique confederation of powerful Scottish families. There are several origin stories for the Smiths of Clan Chattan, and historians cannot be sure of which is most accurate. One of the most popular legends, however, took place during the battle of North Inch in 1396, when Clan Chattan had supposedly been abandoned by one of their star swordsmen. It is said a Smith of Perth, Gobh Cruim, heroically volunteered to fill the spot, helping the Chattans achieve victory.
Do Clan Smith have a Plant Badge?
The plant badge is an important symbol for clan members as it is worn to show loyalty to the chief and belonging to your kin.
Historically, men would wear a sprig of their clan’s plant on their cap, while women would fasten the plant to their sashes, usually at the shoulder.
Clan Smith does not have a single universal plant badge, as the name is associated with various different septs.
However, as the Smiths are part of the Clan Chattan Federation, they frequently use the Chattan’s plant badge, the Red Whortleberry.
This striking plant boasts a beautiful red berry, and symbolises endurance and resilience in Celtic mythology, fitting for the mighty Clan Smith!
Do Clan Smith have a Society?
In 1978, Emery Smith Jr, who lived in Southern Pines, North Carolina, formed the Clan Smith Society USA.
The society is still thriving today and describes its purpose as ‘perpetuating Scottish traditions and cultural heritage in the United States, fostering the relationship between Scotland and the US, and promoting clan sentiment among its members'.
Find out more about the Clan Smith Society here.
Are Clan Smith connected to a Loch?
Clan Smith have historically set up home in the lands surrounding the scenic Loch Lomond, a freshwater loch that is popularly considered the boundary between the lowlands and the highlands of Scotland. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area, and the second largest by water volume, with the deepest depths reaching 190 metres!
The loch contains over 30 islands, including Inchmurrin, famous for being the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles. Several of the islands also hold great historical significance, as they appear to be crannogs, artificial islands built in the prehistoric period.
Loch Lomond is also blessed with rich and varied wildlife, with its waters being home to numerous species of fish, including lamprey, lampern, brook trout, perch, loach, common loach, and flounder. The surrounding hills, meanwhile, house animals such as black grouse, golden eagles, pine martens, red deer, and mountain hares. In winter, the area even sees mass migration of geese.
Perhaps the most unusual creatures at the loch are found on one of the islands, Inchconnochan, which is home to a colony of red-necked wallabies!
Loch Lomond is a popular leisure destination for locals and tourists alike, serving as one of Scotland’s best venues for watersports, with visitors enjoying kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, wake boarding, water skiing, and wake surfing.
It has also been honoured in the beloved song ‘the Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond,’ which has been recorded by countless artists. The loch was also once voted as the 6th greatest natural wonder in Britain!
Image credit: Mimihitam - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Do Clan Smith have a Motto?
Clan Smith’s motto is ‘Luceo Non Uro,’ or ‘I shine, not burn,’ which perfectly encapsulates the family's strength, vigour, and endurance!
Clan Battles
The Battle of the North Inch is one of the most unusual and mysterious battles in Scottish history, with historians still struggling to pin down the facts today.
Also known as ‘the Battle of the Clans,’ it took place in September of 1396 in a large meadow beside the River Tay, between Clan Chattan and the ‘Clan Quhele,’ thought to have either been Clan Cameron or Clan Davidson.
The battle was arranged by Robert III of Scotland, aiming to settle a long lasting feud between the 2 groups. It was decided that each would choose 30 of their best warriors to fight in front of a crowd of spectators, including the king.
However, before combat could start, disaster struck, with one of the Macphersons of Clan Chattan falling ill, declaring himself unable to fight. This would have led to the battle being called off had a brave bystander not stepped in.
It is said that a local blacksmith named Henry Gow (Smith), or ‘Hal o’ the wynd’ volunteered to join Clan Chattan’s side, and went on to contribute greatly to the Chattan’s outstanding victory.
Clan Chattan supposedly killed all but one of their opponents, while losing 19 of their own men.
Following this, Henry Smith went north to officially join Clan Chattan, becoming the progenitor of the clan’s Smith, or Gow, sept.
Image credit: Dudesleeper, Public Domain
A Medieval Connection
Early Latin medieval documents recorded the Smith surname as ‘Faber’ or ‘Ferro.’ In around 1199, a man called Robert Ferro was recorded as a witness to a charter signed by the Bishop of Dunkeld. By the early 13th century, further Smiths including Adam Faber and William Faber de Karel appeared in several land and court documents, confirming that the family had already established themselves as an important part of Scottish society.
Do Clan Smith have a Tartan?
If you are lucky enough to belong to Clan Smith, you may be wondering how best to honour your heritage.
We think that owning your family’s tartan is the perfect way to connect with both your ancestors and your clan peers, and we have a large range of products you can choose from!
We stock 4 variations of Smith tartan: ancient, modern, weathered and muted.
The modern version features deep and striking tones of navy, green, and black, interspersed with red and yellow stripes, while the weathered, muted and ancient tartans use softer, more muted colours, creating a more traditional and earthy effect.
Apothecary To The King
Clan Smith were a highly respected family who held numerous prestigious positions. One particularly interesting character, Thomas Smith, even served as King James III’s apothecary!
Do Clan Smith have a Crest?
Clan Smith’s crest is described as ‘A winged red heart enflamed, Proper.’ This means it shows a flaming red heart with white wings, a striking image representing loyalty, strength, and courage. The flame also references the clan’s motto, ‘I shine not burn,’ honouring their admirable endurance.
Smith is also associated with Clan Chattan and the Clan Chattan crest is described as ‘a cat salient, proper’ meaning it shows a cat leaping up with its forelegs in the air, in the centre of a belt with the clan motto ‘Touch Not the Cat Bot a Glove.’
Clan Motto: Luceo Non Uro (I shine, not burn)
Second banner image: Fyvie Castle by Ikiwaner - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0
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