Inglis Clan

Scottish Clans

Inglis Tartans & Clan

The Inglis clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most notable Lowland families, whose legacy spans from ancient Border holdings to distinguished service in diplomacy, military leadership, and pioneering settlements across North America.

Clan Motto

Nobilis Est Ira Leonis
(The Lions Anger is Noble)

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Inglis Tartan?

Worn by Inglis descendants globally, sept families including English and Inglish bearers, diplomatic corps members, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.

Associated Names

English

Inglish

Englisch

Inglisch

Ingles

Inglese

Ingleys

Ingliss

Inglass

Ingols

Ingalls

Inglewood

Ingleby

Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

Inglis members served with distinction in Scottish Border regiments, diplomatic guards, colonial forces, and British Army units, particularly excelling in administrative and intelligence roles throughout the Empire.

King's Own Scottish Borderers (Scotland)

Royal Scots (Scotland)

Canadian Scottish Regiment (Canada)

Black Watch (Scotland)

Gordon Highlanders (Scotland)

Shop Inglis Tartan Products

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

Inglis 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 Inglis Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

Anglo-Norman Beginnings

The Inglis clan emerged in medieval Scotland during the 12th and 13th centuries as Anglo-Norman settlers established themselves in the Scottish Borders. Early records show the family holding lands in Roxburghshire and Berwickshire, with Sir John Inglis documented in 1296 among the nobles swearing fealty during the Scottish Wars of Independence. The Inglises quickly integrated into Scottish society while maintaining their distinctive identity, serving as border wardens and administrators. Their strategic position in the volatile Border region required diplomatic skills and military readiness, shaping the clan's character for centuries. The family established their principal seat at Manor in Peeblesshire, becoming influential landholders in the Scottish Lowlands.

Strategic Alliances

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Inglis clan consolidated their position as significant Border family through strategic marriages and loyal service to the Scottish Crown. Sir Alexander Inglis of Manor served as Sheriff of Peebles, while his descendants expanded their holdings throughout the Borders region. The family survived the turbulent Border wars between Scotland and England, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and political acumen. Inglises served as diplomats and negotiators during various Anglo-Scottish conflicts, their English origins making them valuable intermediaries. The clan weathered the religious upheavals of the Reformation while maintaining their Presbyterian convictions and loyalty to Scottish independence.

Where does the name Inglis come from?

Inglis derives from Middle English 'Inglisch' meaning 'English' or 'of English origin,' originally applied to Anglo-Norman settlers in medieval Scotland. The name identified families who came north from England during the 12th-13th centuries, particularly to the Scottish Borders region. This surname reflects the complex medieval relationship between Scotland and England, where 'Inglis' distinguished these settlers from Gaelic-speaking Scots in official records.

Administrative Influence

The 16th and 17th centuries saw Inglis family members rise to prominence in Scottish legal and administrative circles. Sir James Inglis became a Senator of the College of Justice, while his kinsmen served as sheriffs and commissioners throughout southern Scotland. The family produced notable scholars and clerics, with several Inglises graduating from Scottish universities and serving parish communities. During the Jacobite period, most Inglis branches remained loyal to the Hanoverian succession, reflecting their pragmatic political traditions. Clan members began emigrating to North America, establishing settlements in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Nova Scotia, carrying their administrative and legal expertise to colonial societies.

Professional Legacy

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Inglises distinguished themselves in diplomatic service, legal professions, and colonial administration across the expanding British Empire. The family produced several prominent judges, including Lords of Session in Edinburgh's Court of Session. Inglis emigrants became influential figures in North American development, with family members serving as colonial officials, merchants, and pioneers. In Canada, Inglises helped establish educational institutions and legal frameworks in Nova Scotia and Ontario. The clan adapted successfully to industrial changes in Scotland while maintaining their Border heritage, with many members entering professional careers in law, medicine, and civil service throughout Britain and the colonies.

The Inglis clan tartan honors distinguished Lowland heritage, from medieval Border lands to global diplomatic service, in patterns worn by descendants worldwide.

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