The Rafferty clan traces its origins to ancient Donegal, where they ruled as kings and chieftains of Tír Chonaill. The O'Raffertys descended from Raithbheartach, a 10th-century leader whose name meant 'prosperity wielder.' Early clan members held significant territories around Kilmacrenan and established themselves as influential nobility in medieval Ireland. The Raffertys demonstrated fierce loyalty to Gaelic culture, supporting Irish independence and maintaining their ancestral traditions despite Norman invasions. Their stronghold at Kilmacrenan served as a center of learning and Celtic scholarship throughout the medieval period.
Scottish Clans
Rafferty Tartans & Clan
The Rafferty clan tartan embodies the proud heritage of Ireland's most distinguished families, whose legacy spans from ancient Donegal chieftains to influential settlers across America, Canada, and Britain, weaving together centuries of Celtic tradition.
Heritage & Identity
Who Wears Rafferty Tartan?
Worn by Rafferty descendants worldwide, sept families including O'Rafferty and Raftery bearers, Irish regiment veterans, and Celtic heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, Ireland, and Britain.
Associated Names
O'Rafferty
Raftery
Raffertie
O'Raftery
Raffarte
Rafter
MacRafferty
O'Raithbheartaigh
Rafferty
Rafferdy
Raffertey
Raffertay
O'Ratherty
Raghartach
Raughtery
Shop Rafferty Tartan Products
Discover authentic Rafferty clan products including traditional kilts, Celtic dress accessories, clan crests, tartan scarves, ties, and ceremonial items crafted for descendants across North America, Ireland, and Britain.
- All Categories
- Accessoires pour vêtements traditionnels
- Bandanas pour animaux de compagnie
- Bandeaux
- Barrettes, pinces et épingles à cheveux
- Bas de Noël
- Bas de pantalon
- Bas pour bébés et tout-petits
- Besaces
- Bodies bébés
- Bonnets
- Bottes
- Boucles de ceinture
- Boucles d’oreilles
- Boutons de manchette
- Breloques et pendentifs
- Bretelles
- Broches et épinglettes
- Cartables
- Casquettes de baseball
- Casquettes plates
- Chapeaux
- Chapeaux de cowboy
- Chapeaux d’hiver
- Chaussures
- Chemins de table
- Chemises
- Colliers et cravates pour animaux de compagnie
- Colliers standards
- Cordons
- Costumes et tailleurs
- Coussins et porte-alliances
- Couvertures
- Cravates
- Drapeaux et manches à air
- Décorations
- Décorations de Noël
- Ensembles pour bébés et enfants
- Ensembles pour bébés et tout-petits
- Foulards
- Fournitures de mariage
- Gilets et vestes sans manches
- Grande cornemuse des Highlands
- Hauts de vêtements
- Housses de coussin pour chaises et canapés
- Jarretelles
- Jupes
- Lits pour animaux de compagnie
- Manteaux bouffants
- Manteaux et vestes
- Masques faciaux de mode
- Nappes
- Pochettes de costume
- Porte-monnaies
- Robes
- Rubans et galons
- Sacs fourre-tout
- Sacs pour cadeaux
- Sacs à bandoulière
- Sacs à dos
- Sacs à main
- Serviettes en tissu
- Shorts
- Tabliers
- Tapis de sapin de Noël
- Vestes boléro
- Vestes universitaires
- Vêtements traditionnels et de cérémonie
- Écharpes
- Écharpes, foulards et châles
- All Styles
- 16 oz
- 3 Piece
- 5 Yards - Casual
- 8 Yards - Traditional
- 9 Yards - Traditional
- A Line
- All Round Pleated
- Argyll
- Bias Cut
- Bow
- Dinner
- Double Breasted
- Dresses
- Golf
- Great Kilt
- Horseshoe Neck
- Infinity Scarf
- Kate Coat
- Kilt Shoes
- Mini
- Narrow Heel
- Pencil
- Pet Accessories
- Prince Charlie
- Quilted
- Ring
- Rosette
- Shirt
- Single Breasted
- Sleeveless
- Slim Cut
- Straight Cut Bottom
- Striped
- Tie
- Wrap
- All Products
- Accessoires pour cheveux
- Accessoires tartan
- Bandeau
- Bowties
- Braces
- Broche tartan
- Ceintures en cuir tartan
- Chapeaux et casquettes en tartan
- Chemises kilt
- Coats & Jackets
- Costume
- Court
- Cravates en tartan
- Dog Rug
- Embrayages
- Fly Plaid & Broches
- Ghillie Brogues
- Grand Kilt - Tous Tartans
- H-Bar Set
- Instruments de musique
- Kilt 9 Yards - Tous les tartans
- Kilt Flashes
- Kilt Flashs
- Kilt de 5 mètres - Tous les tartans
- Kilt végétalien - Tous les tartans
- Kilted/Plissé
- Kilts en cuir
- Kilts en jean
- Kilts féminins
- Kilts hybrides
- Lanyards
- Neckwear
- Pantalon tartan
- Pince à cheveux
- Plaid Fly
- Ring Cushion
- Robes tartan
- Romper Suit
- Ruban tartan
- Sacs à bandoulière
- Sacs à main
- Serape
- Sporrans
- Stoles
- Tabliers en tartan
- Tartan Beret
- Tartan Capes
- Tartan Decoration
- Tartan Dresses
- Tartan Knickerbockers
- Tartan Pants
- Tartan Poncho
- Tartan Ribbon
- Tartan Scarf
- Tartan Shawl
- Tartan Skirts
- Tartan Ties
- Tartan/Cargo
- Tenue kilt
- Trew
- Vestes
- Vestes et gilets kilt
- Vêtements pour chiens
- Waistcoat
- Wedding Garters
- Women Shoes
- kilt pour enfants
- masque
- Écharpe en tartan
- Écharpe tartan
- All Prices
- Under $50
- $50 - $100
- $100 - $200
- $200 - $500
- $500+
Associated Tartans
Your Selected Tartan
Other Associated Tartans
Rafferty Tartans
0 Variations
Each tartan can feature several variations, with the most common being Ancient, Modern, Weathered, Hunting and Dress.
Loading tartans…
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 Rafferty Story
Four centuries of history woven into every thread
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Rafferty clan faced increasing English colonization pressures in Ulster. Notable clan members included chieftains who resisted plantation policies while others adapted to changing political circumstances through strategic alliances. The family weathered the religious conflicts of the Reformation while maintaining their Catholic faith and Gaelic traditions. Raffertys distinguished themselves as poets, musicians, and scholars, preserving Irish culture during turbulent times. Many clan members served as hereditary poets to other Irish noble families, earning recognition for their literary contributions to Gaelic heritage.
Where does the name Rafferty come from?
Rafferty derives from Gaelic 'Ó Raithbheartaigh' meaning 'descendant of Raithbheartach' or 'prosperity wielder.' The name originates from ancient Donegal, where the O'Rafferty clan ruled as kings and chieftains. This patronymic surname reflects the Irish tradition of honoring ancestral leaders who brought prosperity and fortune to their people through wise leadership and successful warfare in medieval Ireland.
The 18th century marked significant migration for Rafferty families, with many departing Ireland during economic hardships and religious persecution. Clan members established communities in Pennsylvania, New York, and Nova Scotia, bringing their Celtic traditions to North America. In Ireland, Raffertys continued their scholarly pursuits, producing renowned musicians and storytellers who preserved ancient Irish folklore. The family adapted to colonial life while maintaining strong connections to their Donegal origins. Rafferty settlers contributed to American independence movements and Canadian frontier development throughout this transformative period.
Throughout the 19th century, Raffertys embraced new opportunities across the expanding British Empire and American territories. Clan members served as officers in various military units, pioneered settlements in Australia and New Zealand, and established successful businesses in growing American cities. The family produced distinguished educators, clergy, and community leaders who promoted Irish culture in diaspora communities. In Ireland, Raffertys participated in nationalist movements while preserving their ancient bardic traditions. The clan adapted to industrial changes and urban development while honoring their ancestral Donegal connections through cultural societies.
The Rafferty tartan captures the enduring spirit of Irish nobility, from Donegal kingdoms to global diaspora communities, worn with ancestral pride across generations.
Featured Collections
Craftsmanship defined by tradition, designed for the modern era.
Quick View
Featured Item
Men's Highland Wear
From $120.00
