Background Texture
Scottish Clans

Kidd Tartans & Clan

The Kidd clan tartan celebrates one of Scotland's most notorious families, whose descendants sailed from Scottish shores to become legendary figures across the Atlantic, from Border country origins to Caribbean adventures and North American settlements.

Clan Motto

Donec Impleat
(Until it fills the World)

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Kidd Tartan?

Worn by Kidd descendants worldwide, sept families including Kid and Kydd bearers, maritime enthusiasts, Scottish-American communities, and heritage celebrants across the United States, Canada, and Britain.

Associated Names

Kid
Kydd
Kidde
Kyde
MacKidd
McKidd
Keddie
Kiddie
Kida
Kyda
Keddy
Kiddy
Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

Kidd warriors served in Scottish Border regiments, colonial maritime forces, and various British Army units, particularly excelling in naval service and frontier defense across the American colonies and Caribbean territories.

King's Own Scottish Borderers (Scotland)
Royal Scots Fusiliers (Scotland)
Black Watch (Scotland)
Nova Scotia Fencibles (Canada)
New York Provincial Regiment (America)

Shop Kidd Tartan Products

Explore authentic Kidd clan merchandise including traditional Highland kilts, maritime-themed accessories, clan badges, tartan scarves, dress ties, and ceremonial items for descendants across America, Canada, and Scotland.

Kidd Tartans

0 Variations

Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.

The Kidd Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

The Kidd clan emerged in the turbulent Scottish Borders during the 12th century, establishing themselves as formidable Border reivers in Dumfriesshire and Roxburghshire. Early records show Thomas Kyd holding lands near Jedburgh in 1296, while the family developed their reputation as skilled horsemen and fierce warriors. The Kidds participated in countless Border raids, cattle lifting, and feuds with English neighbors, becoming integral to the lawless yet honorable reiving culture. Their strategic position along ancient drove roads made them wealthy through legitimate trade and opportunistic raiding, earning respect from both Scottish and English Border families despite frequent conflicts.

Kidd History 1
Kidd History 2

During the 16th century, the Kidd clan adapted to changing Border politics while maintaining their martial traditions. Notable family members included George Kidd of Nisbet, who served as a Border Warden, and his kinsmen who established branches throughout southern Scotland. The Union of Crowns in 1603 disrupted traditional reiving, forcing many Kidds to seek new opportunities. Some embraced legitimate farming and trade, while others turned to military service in European wars. The family's seafaring instincts emerged during this period, with several Kidd men joining merchant vessels and naval expeditions, laying foundations for their later maritime fame across the Atlantic.

Where does the name Kidd come from?

Kidd originates from the Middle English 'kidde' meaning 'young goat' or from the Old Norse 'kiddi' referring to a young animal. The surname emerged in the Scottish Borders during the 12th century, where families adopted descriptive nicknames that became hereditary. Some Kidd lines also derive from Gaelic 'Mac Giolla Dhe' meaning 'son of the servant of God,' later anglicized to Kidd through phonetic evolution in Border regions.

The 17th century witnessed the most famous Kidd of all: Captain William Kidd, born around 1645 in Dundee to a seafaring family. Initially a respectable privateer commissioned by English authorities to hunt pirates in the Indian Ocean, Kidd's career took a fateful turn when accusations of piracy led to his arrest, trial, and execution in London in 1701. His legendary treasure, supposedly buried along the American coast, captivated imaginations for centuries. Meanwhile, other Kidd family members emigrated to North America, establishing settlements in New York, Pennsylvania, and the Maritime provinces, where they became respected farmers, merchants, and shipbuilders, distancing themselves from their infamous kinsman's reputation.

Kidd History 3

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Kidd descendants flourished across North America while maintaining connections to their Scottish homeland. In Canada, Kidds became prominent in the Maritime provinces' fishing and shipbuilding industries, while American branches contributed to westward expansion as pioneers, soldiers, and entrepreneurs. During the American Revolution, Kidd families found themselves divided between Loyalist and Patriot causes, with some fleeing to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The clan's maritime heritage continued through generations of sea captains, merchants, and naval officers who served in both British and American fleets, gradually rehabilitating the family name through honorable service.

Kidd History 4
The Kidd tartan honors Scotland's legendary maritime clan, whose legacy spans from ancient Border reivers to infamous pirate captains, woven in bold patterns of courage.
Featured Collections

Craftsmanship defined by tradition, designed for the modern era.

Men
Women
Fabric
Quick View Collection Preview
Featured Item Men's Highland Wear
From $120.00