MacBean Clan

Scottish Clans

MacBean Tartans & Clan

The MacBean clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most valiant Highland families, whose fierce loyalty and warrior tradition shaped Scottish history from their Inverness-shire strongholds to their heroic final stand at Culloden battlefield.

Clan Motto

Touch Not A Catt Bot a Targe

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears MacBean Tartan?

Worn by MacBean descendants worldwide, sept families including Bean, MacBain, and MacVean bearers, Highland regiment veterans, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Scotland.

Associated Names

MacBain

MacBane

MacVean

Bean

Bain

Bane

Vean

MacIllebhain

MacGillibain

MacGillivain

MacGillivray

Beaton

MacBeaton

Beaton of Mull

Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

MacBean warriors served with legendary courage in Highland regiments, particularly the Clan Chattan confederation forces, Fraser's Highlanders, and various Scottish regiments throughout British military campaigns.

Fraser's Highlanders (78th Foot)

Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs)

Cameron Highlanders (79th Foot)

Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

Gordon Highlanders (75th and 92nd Foot)

Canadian Scottish Regiment (Canada)

Lovat Scouts

Shop MacBean Tartan Products

Discover authentic MacBean clan products including traditional Highland kilts, clan crest items, tartan accessories, ceremonial swords, and heritage gifts crafted for descendants across North America and Scotland.

MacBean 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 MacBean Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

Highland Origins

The MacBean clan emerged in medieval Inverness-shire as a sept of the mighty Clan Chattan confederation, tracing their origins to the 13th century Highlands. Early MacBeans established themselves as fierce warriors in the mountainous regions around Loch Ness and the Great Glen, serving as loyal followers of the Mackintosh chiefs. The clan's warrior reputation grew through countless Highland conflicts, with MacBean swords defending their territory against rival clans and foreign invaders. Their strategic Highland location made them guardians of ancient routes through the Scottish mountains, earning respect throughout the Highlands for their courage and unwavering loyalty to Clan Chattan leadership.

Clan Warfare

During the 15th and 16th centuries, MacBean warriors distinguished themselves in Highland warfare and clan feuds that shaped medieval Scotland. The family produced renowned swordsmen and military tacticians who served Clan Chattan interests across Inverness-shire and beyond. MacBeans fought alongside their Mackintosh kinsmen in conflicts with Clan Cameron, Clan MacDonald, and other Highland rivals, establishing their reputation as formidable Highland fighters. The clan weathered the religious upheavals of the Reformation while maintaining their traditional Highland culture and Gaelic language, adapting to changing times without abandoning their warrior heritage that defined MacBean identity.

Where does the name MacBean come from?

MacBean derives from Gaelic 'Mac a' Bheathain' meaning 'son of life' or 'son of the lively one.' The name originates from the ancient Gaelic personal name Beathan, reflecting the Highland tradition of patronymic surnames. The MacBeans established themselves in Inverness-shire as members of the Clan Chattan confederation, where their name evolved through various spellings including MacBain and MacVean across different Highland regions and emigrant communities.

Jacobite Era

The 17th century brought new challenges as MacBeans navigated the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and Jacobite sympathies that divided Highland clans. Many MacBean warriors supported the Stuart cause, fighting in various Jacobite uprisings that swept through Scotland. The clan's military prowess reached legendary status during this period, with MacBean swords defending Highland traditions against Lowland and English interference. Their loyalty to Clan Chattan remained absolute, participating in confederation military campaigns and maintaining their warrior culture despite increasing government pressure on Highland clans to modernize and abandon traditional practices.

Culloden Heroics

The MacBean clan's most legendary moment came at Culloden in 1746, where Gillies MacBean achieved immortal fame in Highland military history. This giant MacBean warrior, standing over six feet tall, single-handedly defended a gap in the Jacobite line against dozens of government soldiers, killing numerous enemies before falling mortally wounded. His heroic last stand epitomized MacBean courage and became one of Culloden's most celebrated acts of valor. Following the battle's devastating defeat, surviving MacBeans faced the Highland Clearances and clan system destruction, forcing many to emigrate to North America while others adapted to changing Scotland.

The MacBean tartan reflects the Highland warrior heritage of Clan MacBean, from their medieval Inverness-shire origins to their legendary stand at Culloden in 1746.

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