The Keith clan traces its origins to Herveus de Keith, a Norman knight who arrived in Scotland during the 12th century and received lands in East Lothian from King David I around 1150. The family quickly integrated into Scottish society, with successive generations serving as sheriffs and royal officials. The Keiths demonstrated exceptional loyalty to the Scottish crown, earning the hereditary title of Great Marischal of Scotland by the late 13th century. This prestigious office made them guardians of the royal regalia and commanders of the cavalry in Scottish armies. Their early motto 'Veritas Vincit' (Truth Conquers) reflected their unwavering commitment to honor and duty in medieval Scotland.
Scottish Clans
Keith Tartans & Clan
The Keith clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most ancient and noble families, hereditary Great Marischals of Scotland whose ancestral seat at Dunnottar Castle commanded the northeast coast for over 400 years of distinguished service.
Clan Motto
Veritas Vincit
(Truth Conquers)
Heritage & Identity
Who Wears Keith Tartan?
Worn by Keith descendants worldwide, sept families including Austin, Dixon, Falconer, Harvey, Hervey, Hackston, Lumgair, MacKeith, Marshall, Urie bearers, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.
Associated Names
Austin
Dixon
Falconer
Harvey
Hervey
Hackston
Lumgair
MacKeith
Marshall
Urie
Keith-Falconer
Keath
Keeth
Keyth
Ceiteach
Mac Ceiteach
Marshell
Marischal
Urry
Urrie
Ury
Hakkestoun
Haxton
Military Heritage
Associated Regiments
Keith warriors commanded Highland regiments and British Army units with distinction, serving as hereditary Great Marischals while leading Scottish forces in colonial campaigns across North America, India, and European battlefields.
Gordon Highlanders (Scotland)
Royal Scots Fusiliers (Scotland)
Cameron Highlanders (Scotland)
Black Watch (Scotland)
King's Own Scottish Borderers (Scotland)
Nova Scotia Highlanders (Canada)
Cape Breton Highlanders (Canada)
Shop Keith Tartan Products
Discover authentic Keith clan products including traditional kilts, Highland dress accessories, Great Marischal crests, tartan scarves, ties, and ceremonial items crafted for descendants across North America and Britain.
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Keith 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 Keith Story
Four centuries of history woven into every thread
During the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Keiths proved instrumental in securing Scotland's freedom under Robert the Bruce. Sir Robert Keith, the Great Marischal, commanded the Scottish cavalry at Bannockburn in 1314, helping achieve decisive victory over English forces. The family's loyalty was rewarded with extensive lands in Aberdeenshire, including the strategic fortress of Dunnottar Castle, which became their principal seat. Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, successive Great Marischals expanded Keith influence across northeastern Scotland, establishing cadet branches and strengthening their position as one of Scotland's most powerful noble families through strategic marriages and military service.
Where does the name Keith come from?
Keith derives from the Gaelic 'Ceiteach' meaning 'wind' or 'wood,' originating from the ancient territory of Keith in East Lothian where the family held lands from the 12th century. The name also connects to Keith in Banffshire, where the clan later established their principal seat at Dunnottar Castle. This territorial surname reflects the Highland tradition of naming families after their ancestral lands, with Keith becoming synonymous with the hereditary office of Great Marischal of Scotland.
The 16th century brought both triumph and tragedy to the Keith clan as they navigated Scotland's religious and political upheavals. The 5th Earl Marischal founded Marischal College in Aberdeen in 1593, demonstrating the family's commitment to education and scholarship. However, the clan's fortunes dramatically changed following their support for the Jacobite cause. The 10th Earl Marischal and his brother, Field Marshal James Keith, were forced into exile after the failed 1715 rising. James Keith became one of Europe's most celebrated military commanders, serving with distinction in the Russian and Prussian armies under Frederick the Great, while maintaining hopes of returning to reclaim their Scottish heritage.
Following the Jacobite forfeitures, Keith lands were confiscated by the Crown, ending centuries of Great Marischal tradition. However, clan members adapted by emigrating to North America, where they established thriving communities in Nova Scotia, New York, and the Carolinas. Many Keiths served as officers in colonial militias and later the Continental Army during the American Revolution. In the 19th century, the clan experienced a revival when Sir Robert Murray Keith served as a distinguished diplomat, and other family members rebuilt their fortunes in the British Empire, serving as administrators in India, military officers in Highland regiments, and pioneers in Canada and Australia, maintaining their ancestral traditions.
The Keith tartan honors Scotland's Great Marischal heritage, worn by descendants of medieval guardians whose loyalty shaped centuries of Scottish history and honor.
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