The Barclay clan traces its origins to the Anglo-Norman conquest, when Walter de Berkeley arrived in Scotland during the reign of David I around 1165. The family received extensive land grants in Aberdeenshire, establishing themselves as prominent feudal barons. Early Barclays served as Chamberlains of Scotland and held strategic positions in medieval Scottish governance. The clan built their principal seat at Mathers Castle in Kincardineshire, wielding considerable influence in northeastern Scotland. Through successive generations, the Barclays demonstrated loyalty to Scottish independence while maintaining their Norman heritage and feudal traditions throughout the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Scottish Clans
Barclay Tartans & Clan
The Barclay clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most distinguished Anglo-Norman families, whose legacy spans from medieval English origins to Scottish baronies, producing notable bankers, military leaders, and pioneers across Britain, America, and Canada.
Clan Motto
Aut Agere Aut Mori
(Either action or death)
Heritage & Identity
Who Wears Barclay Tartan?
Worn by Barclay descendants worldwide, sept families including Berkeley, Berkley, and Barkley bearers, banking dynasty members, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.
Associated Names
Berkeley
Berkley
Barkley
Berklay
Barcklay
Barclaye
Berclay
Berckley
de Berkeley
de Barclay
MacBarclay
Barcley
Barckley
Barcklaie
Bercley
Berkelay
Barkelay
Barkeley
Bercklay
Military Heritage
Associated Regiments
Barclay warriors served with distinction in Scottish regiments, British Army units, and colonial forces, particularly excelling in Indian campaigns, American colonial service, and Russian military adventures.
Royal Scots Fusiliers
Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
Scots Guards
Gordon Highlanders
Russian Imperial Army
East India Company Forces
King's Own Scottish Borderers
Highland Light Infantry
Shop Barclay Tartan Products
Discover authentic Barclay clan products including traditional kilts, Highland dress accessories, clan crests, tartan scarves, ties, and ceremonial items crafted for descendants across North America and Britain.
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Associated Tartans
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Barclay Tartans
0 Variations
Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.
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Ancient Tartan
Before 1860, all fabric dyes came from nature — plants, berries, bark, and insects. The colours they produced were softer and more muted than what we're used to today: think mossy greens, dusty sky blues, and reds with a warm, orangey tone. A lot of people actually prefer Ancient tartans for this reason — the gentler contrasts let the pattern breathe and stand out in a way that bolder colours sometimes don't. Worth knowing: the pattern itself, called the sett, is exactly the same across all variations of a tartan. It's only the colours that change.
Modern Tartan
Modern tartans came about after 1860, when chemical dyes replaced natural ones. The difference is pretty striking. Those soft, earthy greens became deep bottle green. Pale blues turned into rich navy. Reds went from warm and muted to full-on scarlet. If you're after something bold and vivid, Modern is usually the one to go for. It's the version most people picture when they think of a classic tartan.
Weathered Tartan
Weathered tartans take their inspiration from what happens to fabric left out in the elements — faded by sun, softened by rain, worn in by time. The colours shift towards olive greens, warm browns, and very pale blues, with reds that fade down to something close to a dusty pink. It's a more rustic, lived-in look, and honestly a really beautiful one. If you want something that feels a little more understated and natural, Weathered is worth a look.
Hunting Tartan
Hunting tartans are essentially the camouflage version of a clan's tartan — greens and browns brought forward so the wearer could move through the landscape without standing out. Not every clan has one, and that's by design. If a tartan is already mostly green or brown (like the Black Watch or Gunn), there's no need to adapt it. But a tartan like the Fraser, which is predominantly red, would make someone very easy to spot in the field — so a Hunting version makes a lot of sense for clans like that.
Dress Tartan
Dress tartans were made for the big occasions — Highland games, celebrations, and traditional dance. The pattern stays the same, but the main colour is swapped out for white, or extra white is woven in to give it a lighter, more formal feel. As you'd expect from the Scots, the rules get bent every now and then — yellow has been used instead of white in some cases, which is exactly how the famously bold MacLeod Dress Modern and Barclay Dress Modern came to be.
The Barclay Story
Four centuries of history woven into every thread
During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Barclay clan expanded their influence through strategic alliances and military service. Notable clan members included Sir David Barclay of Mathers, who served as Sheriff of Aberdeen, and his descendants who established cadet branches throughout Scotland. The family weathered the religious conflicts while adapting to changing political landscapes. Barclays distinguished themselves as scholars and diplomats, with family members studying at European universities and serving Scottish royalty. The clan's Norman roots provided valuable continental connections, enhancing their political and commercial influence during Scotland's medieval period.
Where does the name Barclay come from?
Barclay derives from the Anglo-Norman 'de Berkeley,' meaning 'birch meadow' or 'birch wood clearing.' The name originates from Berkeley in Gloucestershire, England, brought to Scotland by Walter de Berkeley in the 12th century. This Norman surname reflects the feudal tradition of naming families after their English territorial holdings before establishing Scottish baronies in Aberdeenshire and other regions.
The 17th and 18th centuries marked significant Barclay expansion beyond Scotland's borders. The famous Barclay de Tolly family migrated to Russia, producing Field Marshal Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly, hero of the Napoleonic Wars and defender of Moscow in 1812. Meanwhile, Scottish Barclays established the renowned banking dynasty, founding Barclays Bank in London. Clan members emigrated to North America, establishing settlements in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Nova Scotia. The family produced distinguished Quaker leaders, including Robert Barclay, the influential theologian whose writings shaped religious thought across Britain and America during this transformative period.
Throughout the 19th century, Barclays continued their banking and military traditions while embracing industrial revolution opportunities. The banking branches expanded across the British Empire, establishing financial networks in India, Australia, and the Americas. Military Barclays served as officers in Highland regiments during colonial campaigns, while others became prominent industrialists and philanthropists. The family adapted to Victorian society while maintaining Scottish heritage through Highland societies and clan gatherings. Barclay emigrants prospered in Canada and America, contributing to railway development, mining ventures, and establishing educational institutions that honored their ancestral Scottish connections.
The Barclay tartan embodies centuries of Anglo-Norman heritage, from Berkeley Castle to Scottish baronies, woven into distinctive patterns worn with ancestral pride.
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