Knight

Scottish Clans

Knight Tartans & Clan

The Knight clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most distinguished warrior families, whose legacy spans from medieval chivalric service to renowned military leadership across the British Empire and North America.

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Knight Tartan?

Worn by Knight descendants worldwide, sept families including Nacht and MacKnight bearers, Highland regiment members, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.

Shop Knight Tartan Products

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

Knight 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 Knight Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

The Knight clan traces its origins to medieval Scotland's feudal system, where families earned their status through military prowess and loyal service to crown and country. Early Knights appeared in 12th-century records as minor nobility holding lands by knight-service, primarily concentrated in the Scottish Borders and Lowlands. These warrior families served as the backbone of Scotland's military structure, providing mounted cavalry and tactical expertise during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The Knights demonstrated unwavering loyalty to Scottish sovereignty, with clan members fighting alongside Robert the Bruce and William Wallace against English occupation.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Knight clan expanded their influence through military service and strategic alliances with major Border families. Notable clan members served as officers in royal armies, castle commanders, and diplomatic envoys during Scotland's tumultuous medieval period. The family weathered the religious upheavals of the Reformation while maintaining their martial traditions and Protestant faith. Knights distinguished themselves during Border skirmishes with English forces, developing expertise in mounted warfare and tactical cavalry operations that would define their military reputation for centuries.

Where does the name Knight come from?

Knight derives from Old English 'cniht' meaning 'boy' or 'servant,' evolving to signify a mounted warrior or feudal tenant holding land by military service. The name spread throughout Britain during Norman times, representing families elevated to knightly status through valor in battle. In Scotland, the Knights established themselves as minor nobility, serving larger clans as armigerous warriors and holding lands through military tenure across the Borders and Lowlands regions.

The 17th and 18th centuries saw Knights embracing opportunities in the expanding British military, serving as officers in Highland regiments during the Jacobite period and Seven Years' War. Clan members emigrated to North America, establishing Knight settlements in Nova Scotia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where they continued their military traditions in colonial militias. The family produced distinguished officers who served in the American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and various frontier conflicts, maintaining their warrior heritage across the Atlantic while adapting to New World challenges and opportunities.

Throughout the 19th century, Knights continued their military legacy while embracing new roles in the British Empire's expansion. Clan members served as officers in Highland regiments during the Napoleonic Wars, Indian frontier campaigns, and Crimean conflict, earning recognition for battlefield courage and tactical innovation. The family adapted to industrial changes in Scotland while maintaining connections to their ancestral lands. Knights emigrated to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, establishing successful communities and continuing their tradition of public service in colonial governments and military organizations worldwide.