Bates Tartans & Clan Information

Scottish Clans

Bates Tartans & Clan

The Bates clan tartan represents one of Scotland's distinguished Border families, whose legacy spans from medieval Northumberland holdings to renowned service across the British Empire and flourishing communities throughout North America and Canada.

Clan Motto

Fortiter et Recte
(Bravely and Righteously)

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Bates Tartan?

Worn by Bates descendants worldwide, sept families including Bateson and Batts bearers, Border regiment members, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.

Associated Names

Bateson

Batts

Batt

Baites

Baets

Batts

Battson

Baterson

de Batesone

Batisson

Batteson

Batstone

Baitson

Bayts

Baytes

Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

Bates warriors served with distinction in Border regiments, Northumberland forces, and British Army units, particularly excelling in North American campaigns and colonial frontier service throughout the Empire.

King's Own Scottish Borderers

Northumberland Fusiliers

Royal Scots Fusiliers

Border Regiment

Canadian Scottish Regiment (Canada)

Nova Scotia Highlanders (Canada)

Shop Bates Tartan Products

Discover authentic Bates clan products including traditional kilts, Highland dress accessories, clan crests, tartan scarves, ties, and ceremonial items crafted for descendants across North America and Britain.

Bates 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.

The Bates Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

Border Origins

The Bates clan originated in the turbulent Border regions between England and Scotland during the 12th century, establishing themselves as prominent Border Reivers in Northumberland. Early clan records show the family holding lands along the Anglo-Scottish frontier, where they developed the fierce independence characteristic of Border families. The Bates participated in the endemic cattle raiding and feuding that defined Border life, while also serving as occasional peacekeepers between warring factions. Their strategic position allowed them to navigate the complex loyalties of frontier politics, sometimes serving English kings, other times supporting Scottish causes during the Wars of Independence.

Border Adaptation

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Bates clan adapted to changing Border politics following the Union of Crowns in 1603. As traditional reiving declined, clan members redirected their martial skills toward legitimate military service and Border administration. Notable Bates served as deputy wardens and Border officials, helping to pacify the formerly lawless frontier regions. The family established themselves in legitimate trade and farming while maintaining their warrior traditions. Several Bates branches emigrated to Ireland during the Plantation period, later forming the foundation for significant migration to North America during the 18th century colonial expansion.

Where does the name Bates come from?

Bates derives from the medieval given name 'Bartholomew,' shortened to 'Bate' with the patronymic suffix '-s' meaning 'son of Bate.' The name originated in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders during the 12th century, where Border Reiver families adopted surnames based on paternal lineages. This Anglo-Norman surname reflects the complex heritage of Border families who straddled English-Scottish territories along the turbulent frontier regions.

Colonial Expansion

The 18th century witnessed extensive Bates migration to North America, where clan members became pioneers in colonial settlements across Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Maritime provinces of Canada. Bates settlers distinguished themselves during the American Revolutionary War, with family members serving on both sides of the conflict according to regional loyalties. In Canada, Bates families helped establish communities in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, bringing Border traditions to the New World frontier. The clan's adaptability and frontier experience proved invaluable in conquering North American wilderness territories, establishing farms, mills, and trading posts throughout colonial territories.

Frontier Legacy

Throughout the 19th century, Bates descendants continued expanding across North America while maintaining connections to their Border heritage. Clan members served with distinction in the War of 1812, American Civil War, and various Indian Wars, displaying the military prowess inherited from their Border Reiver ancestors. The family produced notable pioneers, including early settlers in the American West and Canadian prairies. In Scotland, remaining Bates branches adapted to industrial changes while preserving clan traditions. The clan's entrepreneurial spirit led to success in various trades, from textile manufacturing to frontier commerce, establishing prosperous Bates communities from coast to coast.

The Bates tartan weaves together centuries of Border heritage, from Northumberland strongholds to global military distinction, in bold patterns worn with ancestral pride.

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