Tartan Tuesdays - The Keith Clan
The tartan pictured is our Keith Modern, 16oz, Single Width.
To view this tartan click here: https://www.scotweb.co.uk/tartan/Keith-Modern-Colo...
To view our other selection of Keith tartans, click here: https://www.scotweb.co.uk/tartan/Keith-/32015?filt...
Origins of the Name
A Scottish warrior slew the Danish General Camus at the Battle of Barrie in 1010 for which King MÃ¡el Coluim II of Scotland dipped three fingers into the blood of the slain and drew them down the shield of the warrior. Thereafter, the warrior was named Marbhachir Chamius or Camus Slayer. Ever since then, the Chief of the Clan Keith has borne the same mark of three red lines on his arm. The Keiths derive their name from the Barony of Keith, Humbie, East Lothian, said to have been granted by the king to Marbhachir Chamius for his valour.
The Keith Clan motto is 'Veritas Vincit' which means 'Truth Prevails'.
Clan Crest: The clan crest is a roebuck's head, standing out of a crest coronet.
At the close of the 14th century Sir William Keith, by exchange of lands with Lord Lindsay, obtained the crag of Dunnottar in Kincardineshire, where he built Dunnottar Castle, which became the stronghold of the Clan Keith. He died in about 1407. The Castle is on a cliff-top, south of Stonehaven.
Keith Hall estate in Aberdeenshire is the current seat of the chief of Clan Keith.
The Clan Keith were often at feud with the neighbouring Clan Irvine. Both clans invaded each othersâ lands. In 1402 the Clan Irvine are said to have attacked and defeated an invading war party of the Clan Keith in, what was known as, the Battle of Drumoak.
In 1571 the Clan Keith joined forces with the Clan Forbes in their feud against the Clan Gordon. The Forbes were also joined by Clan Fraser and Clan Crichton. The Gordons were also joined by Clan Leslie, Clan Irvine and Clan Seton. The feud between the Gordons and Forbes, which had gone on for centuries, culminated in two full scale battles: The Battle of Tillieangus and the Battle of Craibstone. It was at the Battle of Tillieangus that the 6th Lord Forbesâs youngest son, known as Black Aurther Forbes, was killed. Legend has it that â he stooped down to quench his thirst and one of the Gordons gave him his death blow through an open joint in his armour â.
The current Chief of Clan Keith is James William Falconer Keith, 14th Earl of Kintore
Clan Septs and Tartans
Other names that may wear the Keith Tartan are:
Austen, Austin, Cate(s), Dickson, Dix(s)on, Dick, Falconer, Faulkner, Harvey, Hackston, Haxton, Hervey, Hurrie, Hurry, Keath, Keech, Keeth, Keyth, Lumgair, MacKeith, Marshall, Ouston, Urie, Urry