MacTavish

Gaelic Name: MacTamhais

Clan Crest: A boar’s head erased Or, langued Proper

Clan Motto: Non Oblitus (Not forgetful)

Origin of Name: Gaelic ‘son of Thomas’

Lands: Dunardry, Argyll

Clan Chief: Steven MacTavish of Dunardy

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MacTavish Clan History

MacTavish is a phoenetic pronunciation of MacTamhais, which means "Son of Tammais" (Son of Thomas). This is likely to have changed in the 17th century, when English became more popular in Scotland than native Gaelic. Many variations of the name exist, including Thompson, MacOmish, and MacCombie.

The clan can be traced back to the 12th century, when it was based in Argyll around Dunrardarie. The clan MacTavish was also known as 'The Children of the Mist,' an acronym more commonly associated with the clan MacGregor.

During the 1745 Rebellion, the clan supported the Jacobite cause. He was also close to the Campbells of Achnabreack, but had a strained relationship with the Campbells of Argyll. Dugald MacTavish, son of Archibald the Clan Chief, was betrayed by the Duke of Argyll and imprisoned in Dumbarton for his allegiance to Prince Charles Edward Stuart.

During the bloody aftermath of Culloden, many MacTavishes changed their surname to Thompson in order to avoid the persecution of the highland clans; some of these later claimed to be a sept of Clan Campbell, which caused confusion.

Lachlan MacTavish, Dugald's son and heir, succeeded his father in 1775, but by 1785, he was forced to sell Dunardry at public auction. Despite having registered his arms in 1793 and intending to buy back Dunardry, Lachlan died in 1796, and the Chief's line was lost within a few generations. This was reinstated only after Lord Lyon traced the chiefly line in 1997.

Steven Edward Dugald MacTavish, the 27th Chief of Clan MacTavish, is the current chief.

MacTavish Places & People

Clan MacTavish People

Mr. McTavish

McTavish, Simon (1750-1804).

Scots-Quebecer entrepreneur who was Canada's pre-eminent businessman in the second half of the 18th century. Inverness native, born in Stratherrick near Loch Ness. Despite his family's connections in the Highlands, prospects were poor, and at the age of thirteen, Simon accompanied his sister and brother-in-law to the colony of New York. He quickly recognized the opportunity presented by the fur trade in Detroit, made a few key contacts, and was actively involved in the industry by 1769.

McTavish prospered in the fur trade over the next few years, and in 1773, he expanded his operations to Grand Portage on Lake Superior with a new partner, James Bannerman. He was able to put together a group of business investors and trapper/explorers by the end of the war to form the North West Company. He and the Frobisher brothers owned 37.5% of the company's shares, and after Benjamin Frobisher died in 1787, McTavish took over as CEO. Over the next sixteen years, McTavish built a business empire that stretched from the Labrador coast to the Rocky Mountains, amassing a fortune in the process.

Simon McTavish married Marie-Marguerite Chaboillez, the daughter of a well-known French trader, in October 1793. They moved to London immediately after their marriage. Simon McTavish had befriended the chief of clan McTavish during his time in Britain, and upon the chief's death, Simon brought one of the chief's sons into the North West Company. McTavish purchased the Dunardary estate in North Knapdale, Argyll, Scotland in 1799, which had been the ancestral home of the McTavish (MacTavish) clan for several hundred years.

Simon McTavish died in 1804 in Montreal.

MacTavish Tartans

MacTavish Contemporary

Ancient MacTavish Red

Ancient MacTavish Hunting

Modern MacTavish Hunting

Dress in MacTavish Blue

Camel of MacTavish

Grey, MacTavish

MacTavish of Dunadry's

MacTavish Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacTavish Crest

A boar's head has been erased from the crest. Alternatively, langued Proper

Coats of Arms of MacTavish

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.

MACTAVISH OF DUNARDRY, Edward Stewart Dugald

Clan MacTavish's Chief

Quarterly, first and fourth, Argent, a buck's head cabossed Gules Or, a cross crosslet fitchèe between two mullets of the first; 2nd and 3rd, Gyronny of eight Sable and Or. Lyon Court, 2003.

GARTBEG MACTAVISH

Quarterly, a stag's head cabossed Gules attired Or on a chief engrailed Azure a cross crosslet fitchee between two mullets of the third within a bordure Or. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul, 1793.

GARTBEG MACTAVISH

Quarterly, a stag's head cabossed Gules attired Or on a chief engrailed Azure a cross crosslet fitchee between two mullets of the third within a bordure Or. The Scottish Ordinary of Sir James Balfour Paul, 1793.

Arms of the current Chief, Steven Edward MacTavish. He was granted new arms by the Lyon Court in 2014. The shield, crest and colors are different from his father’s arms.