Craig Tartans & Clan Information

Scottish Clans

Craig Tartans & Clan

The Craig clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most enduring Highland families, whose name derives from rocky crags and cliffs. Craig descendants span from ancient Scottish strongholds to thriving communities across North America, maintaining proud tartan traditions.

Clan Motto

Vive Deco et Vives
(Live for God and You Shall Have Life)

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Craig Tartan?

Worn by Craig descendants worldwide, sept families including MacCraig and Creag bearers, Highland regiment veterans, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts throughout Canada, America, and Scotland.

Associated Names

Craig

Cragg

Creag

MacCraig

McCraig

Craige

Crag

Carrick

Carrig

Creagh

Creig

Carig

MacCreag

McCreag

Creagach

Creagmhach

Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

Craig warriors served with valor in Highland regiments, Border battalions, and Scottish colonial forces, particularly distinguishing themselves in North American frontier service and Empire campaigns.

King's Own Scottish Borderers

Royal Scots Regiment

Scottish Rifles

Black Watch (Canada)

Nova Scotia Highlanders (Canada)

Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Canada)

Royal Highland Regiment (Canada)

Shop Craig Tartan Products

Explore authentic Craig clan merchandise including traditional Highland kilts, clan crest jewelry, tartan accessories, ceremonial sashes, and heritage items for Craig descendants across America, Canada, and Britain.

Craig 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 Craig Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

Rock Origins

The Craig clan emerged from Scotland's ancient landscape, taking their name from the Gaelic 'creag' meaning rock or crag. Early Craig families established themselves throughout the Scottish Highlands and Borders, particularly in Aberdeenshire, Angus, and the Border regions. The clan's origins trace to the 12th and 13th centuries when surnames became hereditary, with Craig families settling near prominent rocky outcrops that provided natural defense. Medieval records show Craigs as landholders, farmers, and warriors who defended their territories against Border reivers and clan conflicts. Their strategic positioning near crags and cliffs made them formidable opponents, earning respect throughout Scotland's turbulent medieval period.

Warrior Legacy

During the Wars of Scottish Independence, Craig clansmen rallied to support Robert the Bruce, with many serving at crucial battles including Bannockburn in 1314. The clan's Border heritage made them experienced fighters against English incursions, while Highland branches defended their territories in clan warfare. Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, Craigs expanded their influence through strategic marriages and military service to Scottish nobles. Notable clan members included John Craig, the reformer who worked alongside John Knox to establish Presbyterian Scotland. The clan weathered religious upheavals while maintaining their Protestant faith and Scottish independence. Border Craigs became renowned for their horsemanship and warfare skills during the turbulent reiving period.

Where does the name Craig come from?

Craig derives from Scottish Gaelic 'creag' meaning 'rock' or 'crag,' referring to steep rocky outcrops and cliff faces. The name originated as a topographical surname for families living near prominent rock formations throughout Scotland's Highland and Border regions. This ancient designation reflects the clan's connection to Scotland's rugged landscape, with early Craig settlements established near defensive rocky positions that provided natural fortification.

Faith & Migration

The 16th and 17th centuries brought both challenge and opportunity for Craig families. Many joined the great Highland regiments, serving throughout the British Empire's expansion. The clan faced religious persecution during the Covenanting period, with several Craigs martyred for their Presbyterian beliefs. Despite hardships, Craig families maintained their traditions and began emigrating to Ireland during the Ulster Plantation. The Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745 divided the clan, with some supporting the Stewarts while others remained loyal to the government. This period saw increased emigration to North America, where Craig settlers established communities in Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas, carrying their tartan traditions across the Atlantic.

Global Diaspora

The 18th and 19th centuries marked massive Craig emigration to North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Clan members fled Highland Clearances, potato famines, and economic hardship to seek opportunities in the New World. Craig settlers became pioneers in Canadian provinces, particularly Nova Scotia and Ontario, while others established communities throughout the American colonies and later states. Many served in colonial militias, the American Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. In Australia, Craigs became successful farmers, miners, and merchants during the gold rush era. Throughout this diaspora, Craig descendants maintained their clan identity through Highland societies, Burns clubs, and tartan traditions that connected them to their Scottish heritage.

The Craig clan tartan embodies Highland strength from ancient Scottish crags to modern diaspora communities across Canada, America, and Britain in timeless patterns.

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