The Lauder clan traces its origins to the royal burgh of Lauder in Berwickshire, first documented in 1120 when Robert de Lawedre received lands from King David I. The family established themselves as hereditary King's Foresters, holding Lauder Castle and wielding considerable influence in Border politics. Early clan members served as sheriffs and justiciars, with Sir Robert Lauder of the Bass becoming one of Scotland's most powerful nobles in the 14th century. The Lauders demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the Scottish crown, with successive generations fighting alongside Robert the Bruce and defending the realm against English incursions during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Scottish Clans
Lauder Tartans & Clan
The Lauder clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most distinguished Border families, whose legacy spans from medieval Berwickshire lordships to renowned diplomatic and military leaders across the British Commonwealth and North America.
Clan Motto
Sub Umbra Alarum Tuarum
(Under the Shadow of Thy Wings)
Heritage & Identity
Who Wears Lauder Tartan?
Worn by Lauder descendants worldwide, sept families including Lawder and Lowder bearers, diplomatic corps members, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, Australia, and Britain.
Associated Names
Lawder
Lowder
Lauther
Lauder of Bass
Lauder of Hatton
Louder
Lawther
Lother
MacLauder
Lauders
Military Heritage
Associated Regiments
Lauder warriors served with distinction in Border regiments, diplomatic missions, and British Army units, particularly excelling in Commonwealth service and international diplomatic corps throughout the Empire.
King's Own Scottish Borderers
Royal Scots Guards
Scots Guards
Canadian Scottish Regiment (Canada)
Royal New Zealand Regiment (New Zealand)
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Discover authentic Lauder clan products including traditional kilts, Border dress accessories, clan crests, tartan scarves, diplomatic ties, and ceremonial items for descendants across North America and Britain.
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Lauder 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 Lauder Story
Four centuries of history woven into every thread
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Lauder clan reached the pinnacle of Scottish noble power through strategic alliances and royal service. Sir George Lauder of the Bass served as Provost of Edinburgh and acquired extensive lands throughout the Lothians. The family's most dramatic moment came in 1482 when Archibald Lauder of the Bass led the conspiracy that hanged King James III's favorites at Lauder Bridge, effectively controlling the Scottish monarchy. Lauders established multiple cadet branches including Lauder of Hatton and Lauder of Fountainhall, spreading their influence across the Borders while maintaining their ancestral seat at Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth.
Where does the name Lauder come from?
Lauder derives from the royal burgh of Lauder in Berwickshire, Scotland, meaning 'rushing river' from the Celtic 'laver.' The name originates from the ancient lordship of Lauder, where the clan held the hereditary position of King's Foresters from the 12th century. This territorial surname reflects the Border tradition of naming families after their ancestral lands along the Leader Water in the Scottish Borders region.
The 17th and 18th centuries saw Lauders transition from feudal lords to distinguished professionals and diplomats. Sir John Lauder of Fountainhall became one of Scotland's greatest legal minds, serving as a judge and recording invaluable historical observations of Restoration Scotland. The clan weathered the Jacobite period through careful neutrality while maintaining Presbyterian principles. Lauder descendants began emigrating to North America, establishing settlements in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Nova Scotia. The family produced notable scholars, including university professors and Presbyterian ministers who helped establish educational institutions across the American colonies and Canada.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Lauders distinguished themselves in diplomatic service, academia, and colonial administration across the British Empire. Clan members served as British ambassadors to European courts, colonial governors in Australia and Canada, and military officers in Highland regiments. The family adapted to industrial Scotland while preserving their Border heritage, with many Lauders becoming successful merchants and industrialists in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Notable clan members included Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, the renowned Scottish author and geologist, and various Lauders who served in the Indian Civil Service and colonial judiciary.
The Lauder tartan embodies centuries of Border heritage, from Lauder Castle lordships to global diplomatic service, woven in distinctive patterns cherished by descendants worldwide.
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