Rea – Scottish Kilt

Scottish Clans

Rea Tartans & Clan

The Rea clan tartan embodies Scotland's ancient Lowland heritage, representing families whose origins trace to medieval Scotland and who established significant settlements across Ireland, Canada, and America through centuries of migration.

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Rea Tartan?

Worn by Rea descendants worldwide, Ulster-Scots families, sept members including Ray, Rhea, and MacRae connections, and Scottish-Irish heritage enthusiasts throughout America, Canada, and Britain.

Shop Rea Tartan Products

Explore authentic Rea clan merchandise including traditional Highland kilts, tartan accessories, clan badges, Scottish ties, heritage plaques, and ceremonial items for descendants across North America and beyond.

Rea 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 Rea Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

The Rea clan's Scottish origins trace to the Lowlands and Border regions, where families bore variations of the name from medieval times. Early records show Rea families in Dumfriesshire and Galloway from the 14th century. During the 17th century Ulster Plantation, many Scottish Rea families migrated to northern Ireland, particularly counties Antrim, Down, and Londonderry. These Ulster-Scots established farming communities and became integral to the Protestant settlement. The family name appears in plantation records, church registers, and land grants throughout Ulster, marking the beginning of the Rea diaspora that would eventually reach North America through subsequent migrations seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity.

Throughout the 18th century, Rea families participated in the great Scots-Irish migration to colonial America, settling primarily in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the Carolinas. Many traveled down the Great Wagon Road, establishing homesteads along the frontier. Canadian Rea families arrived during the same period, particularly in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, often as part of planned settlements. These pioneer families contributed to frontier life as farmers, traders, and militia members. The name spread westward across America during the 19th century expansion, with Rea descendants participating in the opening of Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and beyond, maintaining their Presbyterian faith and Scottish-Irish cultural traditions.

Where does the name Rea come from?

Rea originates from the Scottish Gaelic 'ruadh' meaning 'red' or from the Old English 'reagh' meaning 'brindled' or 'streaked.' The name also derives from geographic locations including Dumfriesshire's River Rea. Many Rea families descend from Ulster plantation settlers who migrated from Lowland Scotland during the 17th century, establishing the name throughout Ireland before spreading to North America during the great Scots-Irish migrations of the 18th century.

During America's colonial conflicts and the Revolutionary War, Rea family members served on various sides, reflecting the complex loyalties of Scots-Irish communities. Some supported independence while others remained loyal to the Crown, particularly those with recent Ulster connections. Post-revolution, Rea families continued westward expansion, establishing settlements in the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes region, and eventually the Great Plains. In Canada, Rea descendants became prominent in maritime communities, participating in shipbuilding, fishing, and trade. The family name appears in military records from the War of 1812, where Canadian and American Rea descendants found themselves on opposing sides of the same conflict.

The 19th century saw Rea families establish themselves across North America's expanding frontiers. In the American West, Rea descendants participated in cattle ranching, mining, and frontier commerce. Canadian Rea families contributed to railway construction, logging, and prairie settlement during western expansion. The family maintained connections to Scottish heritage through Presbyterian churches, Highland societies, and cultural organizations. Industrial development brought urban opportunities, with Rea families entering professions, business, and civic leadership. Immigration records show continued arrivals from both Scotland and Ulster throughout the century, adding to established Rea communities and spreading the family name to new regions across both countries.