Carnegie Tartans & Clan Information

Scottish Clans

Carnegie Tartans & Clan

The Carnegie clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most influential families, whose legacy spans from medieval Angus strongholds to global philanthropy. From ancient Scottish baronies to Andrew Carnegie's American steel fortune and library endowments worldwide.

Clan Motto

Dred God

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Carnegie Tartan?

Worn by Carnegie descendants globally, sept families including Carnegy and Carnagie bearers, Scottish-American societies, library beneficiaries, and heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Scotland.

Associated Names

Carnegy

Carnagie

Carnegie of Lour

Carnegie of Kinnaird

Carnegie of Southesk

Carnagy

Carnagey

Carneigie

Carnaggie

Carneagy

Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

Carnegie warriors distinguished themselves in Scottish Border conflicts, Jacobite campaigns, British colonial forces, and American Civil War units, particularly excelling in frontier service and Highland military traditions.

Forfarshire Regiment (Scotland)

Black Watch Royal Highland Regiment (Scotland)

Gordon Highlanders (Scotland)

Canadian Scottish Regiment (Canada)

79th New York Highland Regiment (USA)

Shop Carnegie Tartan Products

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

Carnegie 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 Carnegie Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

Medieval Origins

The Carnegie clan originated in medieval Angus, first recorded when John de Carnegie witnessed a charter in 1203. The family established themselves as significant landholders in Forfarshire, building their seat at Kinnaird Castle overlooking the River South Esk. Early Carnegies served as royal vassals, holding extensive lands around Arbroath and Montrose. The clan demonstrated fierce loyalty to Scottish independence during the Wars of Independence, with successive generations fighting alongside Robert the Bruce and defending their ancestral territories against English invasions throughout the 14th century.

Rising Influence

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Carnegie clan expanded their influence through strategic alliances and royal service. Sir Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird received extensive land grants from James II, while his descendants served as sheriffs and justiciars in Angus. The family weathered the Reformation by embracing Protestantism while maintaining their Highland traditions. Notable clan members included David Carnegie, 1st Earl of Southesk, who established the Carnegie earldom in 1633, and Sir John Carnegie of Ethie, who built one of Scotland's most impressive coastal castles.

Where does the name Carnegie come from?

Carnegie derives from the Gaelic 'Cathair-na-eige' meaning 'fort at the gap' or from the Angus lands of Carnegie near Arbroath, Scotland. The name reflects the clan's ancient territorial holdings in Forfarshire, where they established their seat at Kinnaird Castle. This geographical surname demonstrates the Highland tradition of naming families after their ancestral strongholds, with Carnegie representing strategic defensive positions in medieval Scotland.

Turbulent Times

The 17th century brought both triumph and tragedy to the Carnegie clan through the turbulent period of civil wars and Jacobite conflicts. The 2nd Earl of Southesk supported Charles I during the Civil War, resulting in temporary exile and estate forfeiture. However, the family recovered their lands and titles, with successive earls serving in the Scottish Parliament and supporting the Union of 1707. Carnegies distinguished themselves in military service, colonial administration, and scholarly pursuits, establishing a tradition of public service that would define the clan for centuries.

Global Legacy

The 18th and 19th centuries marked the Carnegie clan's global expansion through emigration and military service. Clan members settled in North America, establishing Carnegie communities in Pennsylvania, New York, and Nova Scotia. The family produced distinguished soldiers serving in Highland regiments, colonial forces, and American frontier units. Most notably, William Carnegie emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1848, bringing his son Andrew, who would become America's greatest philanthropist, funding over 2,500 libraries worldwide and revolutionizing steel production.

The Carnegie tartan embodies the legacy of Scotland's most philanthropic clan, from Angus fortresses to American steel empires, worn by descendants of noble benefactors.

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