Scottish Clans
Murray Tartans & Clan
The Royal Society is the oldest Scientific Society still in existence and aims to promote excellence in Science. Robert Moray, the Clan member who helped to found the Society was a soldier, statesman, diplomat, judge, spy and natural philosopher. He counted Cardinal Richlieu, Charles I and II, Samuel Pepys and Christopher Wren among his friends. Today he is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Who Wears Murray 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.
- Balneaves
- Dinsmore
- Dunbar
- Dunsmore
- Fleming
- Moray
- Murrie
- Neaves
- Piper
- Pyper
- Smail
- Smale
- Small
- Smeal
- Spalding
Associated Regiments
Over the last 300 years, tartans have been a part of official dress for some of the most famous regiments throughout the military world! Their respective regimental tartans became undisputedly tied to the very core identity of the soldiers who wear it. Explore the associated regiments below:
- Atholl Highlanders
- Glenalmond College
- Transvaal Scottish (SA)
Murray Tartans
9 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
Murray Clan Origins & History
Explore the history of clan murray
How it all started
Territories
The mighty Clan Murray originated in the 12th century with one bold man named Freskin. It has often been claimed that he was a Pict, but it is now believed that he was most likely a Flemish knight hired by David I of Scotland to help him keep control of his kingdom. It seems that Freskin did a good job, as the King granted him bountiful lands in West Lothian and Moray.
Freskin’s descendants inherited his daring and striving nature, and countless branches of the family set up across Scotland, acquiring numerous more territories.
One of the clan’s most striking territorial gains occurred in 1600, when Sir David Murray was awarded the lands of Scone in Perthshire by James VI and given the title ‘Lord Scone,’ and later, ‘Viscount of Stormont.’
This was a particular honour, as the estates included an ancient hill on which the Kings of Scotland were traditionally crowned. David’s heirs went on to become the prestigious ‘Earls of Mansfield,’ and built the stunning Scone Palace!
Clan Chief
The current Chief of Clan Murray is Bruce George Ronald Murray, the 12th Duke of Atholl. He was born in Louis Trichardt, South Africa, in 1960 and inherited the title from his father on the 15th of May 2012.
In 2000, he was named Lieutenant Colonel of the Atholl Highlanders, a private infantry regiment that essentially act as a personal bodyguard to the Murray Chief on ceremonial occasions. Not many modern-day clan chiefs can claim such an impressive display of support!
Where does the name Murray come from?
The origin of Clan Murray’s name is relatively self-explanatory! Freskin, the clan progenitor, encouraged his sons to adopt the surname ‘de Moravia,’ meaning ‘from Moray,’ to solidify their ownership of the local land. This then evolved to ‘Murray’ to echo the Lowland Scots pronunciation. The ‘Murray’ spelling was never adopted for the geographical area, but it remains the most common form of the surname to this day!
Do Clan Murray have a Plant Badge?
A clan plant badge is a small cutting of a specific plant or flower that was once commonly worn in a bonnet or attached to the shoulder of a tartan sash. Along with the crest and arms, the plant badge was a powerful symbol that clan members could use to signify their loyalty to their chief and belonging to the family. Popular lore also suggests that plant badges were indispensable in the chaos of battle, as they helped men distinguish friend from foe with just a quick glance!
Clan Murray has two main picks. The Murrays of Atholl use juniper, a plant long associated with strength and protection. The striking juniper tree can serve as a home for more than 40 species of insects and fungi!
Other branches of the clan typically go for the evocatively named ‘butcher’s broom,’ which was supposedly once used by butchers to sweep their chopping boards. It boasts beautiful red flowers, but also has a scarier side! It is adorned with extremely spikey ‘cladodes,’ or flattened shoots, that can inflict nasty scratches.
Together, the two plant badges, juniper and butcher’s broom, provide a concise representation for Clan Murray: accepting and protective, but not afraid to fight when necessary!
Image credit butcher's broom: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE - Butcher's Broom (Ruscus aculeatus), CC BY-SA 2.0
Winning Power and Influence
Clan Murray have shown a keen ability for building a prestigious reputation and winning power and influence. Numerous branches of the family have been given impressive titles, including the Gordon Earls of Sutherland, the Earls of Dunmore, the Earls of Mansfield, and the Dukes of Atholl!
In 1736, the 2nd Duke of Atholl inherited the sovereignty of the Isle of Man. This gave him the right to create his own coinage and hold his own parliament! The 3rd Duke graciously passed over control to the British Crown in 1765, but the Atholl family still honour this fascinating part of their heritage by displaying the Isle of Man’s symbol in their Arms.
Blair Castle
Over 19 generations, the Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl have backed winners and losers, fallen in and out of political favour, won battles and lost them. They have almost all, in one way or another, left their mark on Blair Castle. The story will take you from Mary, Queen of Scots to the Civil War, and from the Act of Union to the Jacobite cause and the disaster of Culloden, and from the Isle of Man to Queen Victoria’s love affair with the Scottish Highlands and her presentation of colours to the Atholl Highlanders.
Image credit: © Guillaume Piolle, CC BY 3.0
Do Clan Murray have a Clan Crest?
The Murrays have long had several different crests, due to the multiple branches of the family. The one pictured here is described as ‘a mermaid holding a mirror in her dexter hand and a comb in the sinister.’ The design is usually surrounded by the motto ‘tout prest.’
The mermaid is a popular, ancient Pictish motif that symbolises balance, power, and strength, while the mirror and comb are often used to represent wealth and prestige.
A fitting choice for the mighty Murrays!
Another of Clan Murray’s crests is described as ‘centre, on a Wreath Or and Sable a demi-savage Proper wreathed about the temples and waist with laurel, his arms extended and holding in the right hand a dagger, in the left a key all Proper.’
This means that it displays a black and gold belt, with a wild man in the centre. The man is decorated with laurel leaves around his head and waist and both his arms are raised. In one hand he holds a dagger, and in the other he holds a knife.
While this might seem like the perfect design for the ferocious Clan Murray, it actually has a fascinatingly tumultuous history!
Sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s, the Lord Lyon declared it to be ‘inappropriate,’ and banned its use. This caused a great amount of anger and upset amongst the Murrays, and when the 10th Duke of Atholl gained his position, he appealed the decision with the Court of Lord Lyon. Finally, in the 1980s, the ruling was reversed, and the Clan were allowed to reclaim their old crest.
Following this victory, the chief decided that the Demi-Savage should become Clan Murray’s one official crest.
Do Clan Murray have a Society?
If you have any Murray heritage, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a number of thriving clan societies you could join to connect with your peers and celebrate the history of this mighty family!
The Murray Clan Society of Scotland and the UK was formed on the 17th of January 1962 in Edinburgh by the 13th Lord Elibank, Alastair Erskine-Murray, with the aim of ‘promoting social links among people bearing the name Murray and stimulating interest in the history, culture, and traditions of the Murray clan’ in order to help members feel closer to their ancestors.
Find out more, including how to join, on their website here. There is also the Murray Clan Society of North America, who you can discover here.
They list their goals as ‘cultivating a spirit of kinship and pride, collecting historical and genealogical records, and providing a gathering place at the various Highland Gatherings throughout North America.’
Both groups are extremely friendly and welcoming to new members, so we would highly recommend checking them out!
Are Clan Murray connected to a River?
Clan Murray lived on the banks of the scenic River Earn for centuries. The Earn originates at St Fillans, then runs east through Strathearn, before forking to the east and south, and joining the River Tay near Abernethy.
Throughout its course, there are countless beauty spots that are extremely popular with locals and tourists alike. It attracts numerous visitors every year who enjoy the winding, peaceful walking paths along the water, and the calming, ancient lines of beech trees that tower over certain sections of the route.
What’s more, it is not only blessed with a wealth of clan history, it also played a key role in the Roman invasion of the north! The fascinating Strageath Roman Camp was once situated not far from the river’s shores.
Image credit: Brian Forbes - Flickr: River Earn, CC BY 2.0
Do the Clan Murray Society have a Piper?
Clan Murray maintains strong musical traditions to this day. The Clan Murray Society even has its own official piper! Ross McNaugton, a member of the Atholl Highlanders, says that ‘it is a huge honour to represent the clan.’ He plays at society events and other high profile, ceremonial occasions, such as the annual clan gathering, formal dinners, ceilidhs, and fundraising events.
Ross is a truly talented musician, qualified as an Army Pipe Major to level 8, and holding an HNC in Music from the National Piping Centre. The Murrays are lucky to have such a passionate and skilled instrumentalist to help them celebrate their heritage!
Clan Battles
Clan Murray had a longstanding feud with Clan Drummond, which led to the notoriously bloody Battle of Knockmary in 1511. It is thought that this particular clash started when the Murrays raided the Drummond’s land, an obvious insult and taunt to the Drummonds.
The Drummonds decided that they could not let the instance go unpunished, so they recruited the help of the nearby MacRobbies and set after Clan Murray. The two groups met on the south bank of the River Earn and, despite being outnumbered, the Murrays came out victorious, leaving the battle with few men lost, and all the spoils of their raid.
The Drummonds were further incensed by this outcome, so decided to gather more support, before pursuing the Murrays again.
The Murrays were tired from the recent fight by the lake, so decided to retreat when they saw the Drummonds had followed them, and took refuge in the church of Monzievaird, bringing their wives and children with them to shelter.
When the Drummonds found them, their desire for revenge was so strong that they acted entirely against the usual clan codes of honour and virtue, and set fire to the old church, trapping, and killing all those inside. It is thought that 160 men, along with their families, were murdered.
When King James IV found out about this, he was horrified, and ordered the arrest of several members of the Drummond family. The leader of the attack and several associates were found guilty of gross immorality and executed at Stirling Castle.
Image credit: Mausoleum at Ochtertyre, built on the site of the old church by M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Do Clan Murray have a War Cry?
Clan Murray has two main mottoes. The first is ‘Tout Prest,’ or ‘All Ready,’ reflecting their ability to leap into action whenever needed, at just a moment’s notice!
The second refers to a more specific event in the clan’s history. ‘Furth Fortune and Fill the Fetters’ means ‘Go Forward with Good Fortune and Take Hostages,’ and alludes to the Earl of Atholl capturing the last Lord of the Isles in 1475.
Both sayings certainly paint an accurately formidable picture of the clan!
Who are the Atholl Highlanders?
Clan Murray commands Europe’s only official private army! The Atholl Highlanders were first raised as a regiment in 1777 by John Murray, the 4th Duke of Atholl, to support other troops serving in North America, although they ended up spending most of their time in Ireland.
Many years later, the group received a prestigious royal stamp of approval. In 1842, the Atholl Highlanders escorted Queen Victoria on a tour of Perthshire, and in 1844 they stood guard during the entire time the Queen stayed as a guest at Blair Castle. She was so grateful for their service that she presented the regiment with official colours, therefore giving them official status!
To this day, the group continue to attend the current Duke of Atholl at ceremonial occasions.
Image credit: August Schwerdfeger - Own work, CC BY 4.0
Do Clan Murray have a Tartan?
If you would like to buy a Clan Murray tartan, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice!
Here at ScotlandShop, we stock 9 variations: Murray of Atholl Modern, Murray of Atholl Ancient, Murray of Atholl Weathered. Murray of Atholl Muted, Murray of Elibank Ancient, Murray of Tullibardine Modern, Murray of Tullibardine Ancient, Murray of Tullibardine Weathered and Murray of Tullibardine Muted.
Displaying your clan’s tartan is the perfect way to connect with your heritage, and we’d love to help you find the perfect way to do so.
We offer an extremely wide range of products, from crafting materials, to cozy cushion covers, to sophisticated dresses. The colours range from beautiful burnt oranges to royal blues, earthy greens, and striking reds, so you’re sure to find something to suit your own personal style!
Clan murray
Tartan Poll
There are nine Clan Murray tartans to choose from - vote in our poll to let us know your favourite(s)!
TOP 5 FACTS
Clan Murray
Learn about how the clan originated, impressive titles and honours, and more!
Clan murray
Famous Faces
Clan Murray are a family with more than their fair share of talent, success, and vision. We’ve had a great time getting to know just a few of their most famous members better, and we can’t wait to introduce you to them.
Read our blog to find out more!
The Castles of Clan Murray
Clan Murray have used their power and influence to stake claim over a number of grand Scottish Castles. We find that exploring a clan’s strongholds is one of the best ways to learn about their history and connect with their heritage, and luckily, all the sites we are going to mention today are open to visitors!
ScotlandShop On The Sofa
The Story of Clan Murray
This month we are delving into all things Clan Murray!
Join John and Carrie as they explore the clan’s origins, history of the Murray name, one of the clan's territorial gains as well as some famous Murrays.
Clan Murray
Quiz
How much do you think you know about Clan Murray? Enough to get all 12 questions correct? Test your Murray Clan Knowledge now!
Clan Murray
Tartan Tales
We called upon the valued Clan members to share their Murray stories and we had a fantastic response; read the blog to find out more!
Mobile Phone Backgrounds
Swipe to view
As part of our Clan of the Month celebrations, we produce different mobile phone wallpapers so you can celebrate your Murray heritage every time you pick up a call.
- Select your preferred image from the four above. Press on the image and a pop up will appear. Select download image.
- Open the image in the photos app on your phone and set as your new background.
- Ta-da, you have a bright and shiny new Scottish wallpaper for your phone!
Clan Motto: Tout Prest (Quite Ready)
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