Shaw Clan

Scottish Clans

Shaw Tartans & Clan

The Shaw clan tartan represents one of Scotland's most distinguished Highland families, whose legacy spans from ancient Tordarroch chiefs to renowned military leaders across the British Empire and beyond in North America and Canada.

Clan Motto

Fide Et Fortitudine
(By Faith and by Fortitude. We force nae friend, we fear nae foe.)

Heritage & Identity

Who Wears Shaw Tartan?

Worn by Shaw descendants worldwide, sept families including MacAy, Shiach and Sheach bearers, Highland regiment members, and Scottish heritage enthusiasts across America, Canada, and Britain.

Associated Names

Shaw

Sheach

Shiach

MacAy

Aye

Shaw of Tordarroch

Shaw of Sauchie

Shaw of Greenock

MacShaw

Schaw

Schawe

Shae

Shay

Shaw-Stewart

Shaw-Mackenzie

Shaws

Military Heritage

Associated Regiments

Shaw warriors served with distinction in Highland regiments, colonial forces, and elite British Army units, particularly excelling in North American campaigns and Indian frontier service throughout the Empire.

42nd Royal Highland Regiment (Black Watch)

78th Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs)

79th Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

Seaforth Highlanders

Canadian Scottish Regiment (Canada)

Nova Scotia Highlanders (Canada)

South African Scottish Regiment (South Africa)

Shop Shaw Tartan Products

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

Shaw 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 Shaw Story

Four centuries of history woven into every thread

Tordarroch to Highlands

The Shaw clan traces its origins to the ancient chiefs of Tordarroch in Inverness-shire, first documented in the 13th century when Shaw MacDuff received lands from Alexander III. The family established themselves as significant landholders in the Scottish Highlands, with their seat at Tordarroch Castle overlooking Loch Moy. Early clan members served as loyal supporters of Clan Mackintosh and later Clan Chattan confederation. The Shaws demonstrated fierce Highland warrior traditions, defending their territories against rival clans and supporting Scottish independence through the Wars of Independence.

Chattan Alliance

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the Shaw clan became prominent members of the Clan Chattan confederation, with Shaw Mor serving as captain and leading the clan at the famous Battle of the Clans at Perth in 1396. The family expanded their influence through strategic alliances with Mackintosh chiefs and military prowess in Highland conflicts. Notable clan members included Ferquhard Shaw, who established the Shaw stronghold at Rothiemurchus, and his descendants who maintained Highland traditions while adapting to changing Scottish political landscapes through the Stewart dynasty.

Where does the name Shaw come from?

Shaw derives from Gaelic 'Sitheach' meaning 'wolf' or from the Old English 'sceaga' meaning 'copse' or 'small wood.' The name originates from the ancient lands of Tordarroch in Inverness-shire, Scotland, where the clan held territories from the 13th century. This Highland surname reflects both the fierce warrior nature of the clan and their ancestral connection to the forested glens of the Scottish Highlands.

Military Glory

The 18th century marked Shaw military distinction, with clan members serving in Highland regiments during the Jacobite uprisings and later British Army campaigns worldwide. Major John Shaw fought at Culloden, while his kinsmen emigrated to North America, establishing Shaw settlements in Nova Scotia, New York, and the Carolinas. The clan produced distinguished officers including General Sir Frederick Shaw and Colonel Robert Shaw, who served with honor in India and the Americas, spreading Shaw heritage across the expanding British Empire.

Empire & Innovation

Throughout the 19th century, Shaws embraced new opportunities while maintaining Highland traditions. Clan members served as colonial administrators in Canada and Australia, military officers in Highland regiments, and pioneers in industrial Scotland. The family produced notable figures including Sir Charles Shaw, founder of modern policing, and numerous Shaw emigrants who established successful communities across North America. In Scotland, the clan adapted to Highland Clearances while preserving their cultural heritage and clan connections through evolving social changes.

The Shaw tartan weaves together centuries of Highland heritage, from Inverness-shire strongholds to global military service, in distinctive patterns worn with pride.

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