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Clan MacGregor (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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MacGregor / Clan Gregor

Gaelic Name: MacGrioghair

Clan Crest: A lion’s head erased Proper, crowned with an antique crown, Or

Clan Motto: ‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream (My race is royal)

Origin of Tartan: Not Known but can be seen in Cockburn Collection. This sett also appears in Clans Originaux in 1525 but version has black guards on the white whereas in 1525 has none.

Origin of Name: Gregory (Flocksman)'s son

Clan Badge:Pine

Lands: Argyll and Perthshire

Historic Seat: Bannatyne, Newtyle, Angus

Clan Chief: Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor Bt

⇨ View All MacGregor Tartan Products

MacGregor Clan History

The MacGregors' claim to royal descent is symbolized by their motto, "My blood is royal."

The Clan Campbell was one of the most well-known victims of the Clan Campbell's expansionism. It owned property in Glenstrae, Glenlochy, and Glenorchy. The Campbell Clan inherited Iain MacGregor's property after his capture in 1296.

They were pushed even deeper into Glenstrae. The Campbells established a rival line to Gregor MacGregor, and thus began the clan's survival as an independent tribe.

Following a series of incidents, the entire clan was declared illegal in 1603.

Clan MacGregor and Clan Colquhoun fought the Battle of Glen Fruin on February 9th. The MacGregors were outnumbered by the cavalry-heavy Colquhouns, but the MacGregors won decisively. They were said to have suffered few casualties in comparison to the Colquhouns' 200-300 men.

Two months after the battle, King James VI declared the MacGregor surname to be 'altogidder abolished,' and those born to it were ordered to renounce the surname or face death. This was following the assassination of John Drummond, a king's forester, for hanging a number of MacGregors for poaching. The clan dispersed and became known as the 'Children of the Mist'. Many MacGregors adopted new surnames, including King, Grant, and Murray. During this period of persecution, Rob Roy MacGregor rose to prominence as a folk hero. The MacGregor persecution lasted over 170 years, ending in 1774.

In 1775, General John Murray (Macgregor) of Lanark was appointed chief and the clan was re-established. In 1795, a baronetcy was established. Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor, 6th Baronet, died in 2003, leaving his titles to his son, Major Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, 7th Baronet.

MacGregor Places & People

People of Clan MacGregor

MacGregor, Gregor Roy (c.1540-1570)

Went to war with the Campbells over the clan name.

MacGregor, Alastair (1587–1604)

After the King's forester was murdered, he and seven other chieftains were hanged at Edinburgh's Merchant Cross for bearing the clan name.

MacGregor, Rob Roy (1671-1734)

Born in 1671 at Loch Katrine, the third son of a Lieutenant-Colonel, MacGregor's inherited long arms and great strength gave him broadsword abilities that made his name well-known. In 1689, he fought for Viscount Dundee at Killiecrankie before joining the Lennox Watch.

When the name MacGregor was made illegal again in 1694, he took his mother's maiden name, Campbell. His land and cattle acquisitions brought him prosperity until 1711, when he persuaded a group led by the Duke of Montrose to advance him £1000.95 for herding investment. His chief drover stole the letters of credit, leaving MacGregor facing embezzlement charges. He was declared an outlaw after failing to respond to the charge or the subsequent arrest warrant.

He moved to the Trossachs lands of the Earl of Breadalbane, who was no friend of Montrose's, and rustled cattle from Montrose's lowland estates from there.

James Gregor MacGregor, Ph.D.

Rob Roy's cousin, Professor of Medicine at Aberdeen University, and a member of one of the world's most illustrious intellectual families.

MacGregor Tartans

Ancient MacGregor

MacGregor Contemporary

MacGregor's Ancient Hunt

Rob Roy MacGregor Aged

Rob Roy, MacGregor, Modern

MacGregor Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacGregor Crest:

A lion's head erased Proper, crowned with an antique crown, Or, is the description of the crest.

Coats of Arms of MacGregor

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.

MacGREGOR OF MACCORD

Argent, an oak tree eradicated in sinister bend, Proper, surmounted by an Azure sword hilted and pommelled, Gules, in bend, supporting an antique crown on its point in the dexter canton.