Tartan Cloth & Celtic Origin
Campbell
Casey
Contained on this page are the tartans (plaids) that are associated with our family line (Smiths and Ryans).
Initially the patterns were loosely associated with the weavers of a particular area. For example, there were no patterns affiliated with the Ryan clan, but over time two patterns were adopted: the Murphy colors and a specific pattern created for the clans of Tipperary.
In 1815, the Highland Society of London asked the clans to register their patterns, and this created some issues. Some families had multiple patterns which all families living in a district, including unrelated families, wore. In other districts, there were no discernable patterns to speak of, but many of the families were more than happy to send in their "official" tartan which would eventually be registered by the society.
In the case of the Irish, their colors are associated with their "country". There were 32 countries in Ireland led by Irish Captains (O'Mulyran, e.g.), and each country was assigned two colors. See Ryans and Tipperary as an example.
History & Merit
The Celts wore coats set with a pattern of checks close together and of varied colors, similar in fashion to the Scottish, Irish, and Welsh tartans. Tartan patterns have been used in British and Irish weaving for centuries.
Multicolored cloth was used by the Celts from the earliest time, but the variety of colors used identified the rank of the wearer. That of the ancient kings had seven colors, that of the druids six, and that of the nobles four. By 1700 the tartans came to distinguish the inhabitants of different districts and not the inhabitants of different families. Even today families can still create their own tartans.
McGowan
Smith
Mulryan (Ryan), Murphy District
Tipperary District
McDonnell
McDonald