Throughout the month of July we have been celebrating all things Clan MacLaren. We have met some famous faces, visited many a castle, and gained great insight into the history of this ancient clan. Finally, we called upon the valued Clan members to share their stories; the response was fantastic and we are so excited to share them.
A MacLaren Wedding
Bruce sent us some absolutely amazing photos of his son's wedding. Josh got married in Kinglake, USA and of course the MacLaren family proudly wore their MacLaren ties in the Modern variation. Can you also spot the matching MacLaren pocket squares and cufflinks?
Bruce's father Roy commenced the family tradition of showing off their Scottish heritage by wearing MacLaren ties at weddings. Pictured are the three generations with Roy, Bruce and Bruce's sons Josh and Fraser.
We can't mention a wedding without the gorgeous bride, and I am sure you will agree she looks absolutely beautiful. We hope everyone had a wonderful day and created memories that will last a life time! We look forward to more photos in the future of the MacLaren ties tradition continuing.
Meet the Patterson Family
Karla got in touch to share her connections with the MacLaren Clan. While she is a Patterson, she is part of the MacLaren Clan and very proud of her Scottish heritage.
"The Patterson's were/are a family within the MacLaren Clan. My ancestors emigrated from the Dumfries region to the Chicago area in the 1840s. Five generations of Patterson's farmed in Wheatland Township until the land became too valuable and many farms were sold to buy more acreage further away from Chicago.
My father, Kenyon Patterson, was the last Patterson to farm in Wheatland Township. He passed away in 2022. For his funeral I bought MacLaren Ancient dress ties for my brothers and button brooches for my sister and myself. It was a very sweet way to honour him. He was very proud of his Scottish heritage and his years as a sheep farmer. Until recently we had Patterson cousins on the family farm , “Kirtlehead,” near Ecclefechan. Foot and moth disease wiped out their prize-winning flock of sheep and the farm has since been sold.
We hold a Patterson Family Reunion every five years in Naperville, Illinois, about 25 miles west of Chicago. Our next reunion in 2027 with be the hundredth year of this family celebration. I am of the last generation to grow up on a farm in Wheatland, so we just don’t know how many more reunions there will be. Such is life in the modern world."
Karla is due to visit Scotland in a few years time and we will be excited to meet her and talk all things Clan MacLaren.
Did you know that the surname Lawson is part of Clan MacLaren?
The surnames Lawson, Law and Lawrence are not native to Scotland and originate from Roman Italy. The names have been accepted as a sept of MacLaren as the founder of the clan is thought to be Abbot Labhran of Achtow. The clan's name in Gaelic is 'Clann Labhruinn' or translated - Clan Laurence.
Similar to MacLarens, you can find Lawsons all over the Globe!
Kilted Romance for Josh Laws
Josh got in touch to share a picture from his wedding day. He looks great in his MacLaren Modern Kilt and we think you would agree it is an amazing photo, with the colours of his kilt outfit set off to a tee with the beautiful landscape in the backdrop.
Battle of the Beards with Jon Lawson
Jon (on the left) sent us this great picture featuring his MacLaren Ancient kilt.
"That picture was taken at the St. Andrews Society of Detroit’s Highland Games. It’s the oldest of it’s kind in North America and is a wonderful event. I met the amazing gentleman in the picture with me there, as I recognized his MacLaren modern kilt and approached him. He was so gracious that he allowed me to get the picture I sent. His mother was a Lawson before marriage so we had both Clan and Sept in common!"
Two MacLarens of sept Lawson. I’m the one with a beer and not as much beard !
An Australian MacLaren
Susan McLaren from Australia was delighted to get in touch to share her clan connections.
"I born in South Gippsland. My parents, grandparents and a number of members of the family are buried at Grantville cemetery including Great Uncle Peter who was a champion axeman. He completed at the Hippodrome in London and later travelled with the Barnum and Bailey Circus in US. My Grandfather David McLaren (his brother) was also a skilful axeman and competed in competitions around Victoria until going to serve in WW1 where he was awarded the Military Medal."
There is also an article in Ripley's Believe it or Not. David McLaren was never beaten in a competition. You can read the article here.
Find out more about Clan MacLaren
Discover 5 interesting facts about Clan MacLaren with our special edition video guaranteed to up your knowledge. Learn about the origin of the MacLaren name, the clan plant badge and their intriguing link to the Boy Scouts. Find out about their bold rally cry, try it out yourself and explore the connection to the 7 Earls of Scotland. It only takes a few minutes to become a MacLaren expert!
Unfortunately July has come to an end, that certainly doesn't mean our love for Clan MacLaren is over, so be sure to get in touch with us if you fancy chatting all things MacLaren!
