Clan Cameron
Clan Cameron is a West Highland clan from Lochaber, led for centuries by the Camerons of Lochiel and remembered for its part in the 1745 Jacobite rising.
History
The Camerons belong to Lochaber, the country around Fort William. Where they came from is not settled. One theory ties the chiefs to the medieval Cameron family of Ballegarno. Another reads the name as the Gaelic cam-shròn, crooked nose. A third, older story makes them descendants of Banquo, Thane of Lochaber. None of this can be proved. The first chief on firm ground is Donald Dubh, who lived around 1410. Every chief since has been Mac Dhòmhnaill Duibh, son of Black Donald. Tradition has him leading the clan at Harlaw in 1411.
Clan Cameron began as a confederation. The MacMartins, the MacGillonies and the MacSorleys of Glen Nevis were original branches, and the five arrows of the crest are said to stand for the branches united under Lochiel. The chiefs are usually called simply Lochiel. For more than three centuries the Camerons disputed land with the Mackintoshes. Tradition places Camerons at the judicial combat on the North Inch of Perth in 1396. The feud finally ended in 1665 at the Fords of Arkaig, without a fight.
Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, born in 1629, is the great figure of the 17th century. He held out against Cromwell's forces in the 1650s, fought them at Achdalieu in 1654, and secured good terms when he finally made peace. He built the first house at Achnacarry around 1655. In 1689 he brought the clan out for King James at Killiecrankie. He died in 1719.
His grandson Donald, the Gentle Lochiel, met Prince Charles Edward Stuart in August 1745 and pledged the clan. His support is widely seen as decisive in getting the rising started. The Camerons fought at Prestonpans, at Falkirk and in the front line at Culloden. Lochiel was wounded, escaped to France and died there in 1748. Government troops burned Achnacarry in May 1746 and the estates were forfeited.
The lands were restored in 1784 to the chief of the day, and work on a new house at Achnacarry began in 1802. In 1793 Alan Cameron of Erracht raised the 79th Cameron Highlanders, and the Erracht tartan was made for that regiment rather than for the clan. Achnacarry remains the seat of the chiefs. The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs lists the present chief as Lord Cameron of Lochiel.
Clan Cameron tartans
Names and reference numbers follow the Scottish Register of Tartans. Mills sell most setts in modern, ancient and weathered colourways. The pattern is the same; only the shades change.
CameronClan tartan · Register ref. 488The red and green clan sett with a yellow line, first illustrated in the Vestiarium Scoticum of 1842. The Register adds that it may derive from a tartan worn by the MacFees, who were closely tied to Lochaber.
Cameron HuntingHunting tartan · Register ref. 494The Register notes that it is close to the Cameron of Lochiel hunting tartan, which carries an extra red line.
Cameron of LocheilOther sett · Register ref. 497A red sett with blue and green bands and a fine white line, named for the chiefly house of Lochiel. The Register spells it 'Locheil' and gives no history beyond its place in the Scottish Tartans Society archive.
Cameron of ErrachtOther sett · Register ref. 495Designed for the Cameron Highlanders, raised by Alan Cameron of Erracht in 1793. The Register classes it as a military tartan and states plainly that it was never adopted by the clan.
Get the kilt
When you order a kilt, ask for the tartan by its full name — for example “Cameron” — and say which colourway you want. “Modern” is dark and strong, “ancient” is lighter, “weathered” is muted. The sett is the same in each.
We are choosing retailers we trust and will list them here soon.
Wear the colours
Our own Cameron range is on its way: the name, the tartan and the motto on a heavyweight tee, a hoodie and a mug. About the shop.
Lands and seats
- Achnacarry Castle. Seat of the Camerons of Lochiel, between Loch Lochy and Loch Arkaig. The old house was burned in 1746 and rebuilding began in 1802.
Surnames
The clan name and its spellings
- Cameron
Names associated with Clan Cameron
- MacMartin
- MacGillonie
- MacSorley
- Stronach
- Chalmers
- Clark
- Clarke
- Cleary
- Leary
- Dowie
- Gilbertson
- Gibbon
- Kennedy
- MacLachlan
- MacMaster
- MacMillan
- MacPhail
- MacPhee
- Taylor
- MacMartin: One of the original branches of the clan, fully identified with the Camerons by the mid-16th century.
- MacGillonie: One of the original branches rather than a sept in the strict sense.
- MacSorley: An original branch, settled in Glen Nevis.
- Clark: The clan association notes that outside Lochaber the name is claimed by Clan Chattan, and Clan Mackintosh in particular.
- Clarke: The clan association notes that outside Lochaber the name is claimed by Clan Chattan, and Clan Mackintosh in particular.
- Kennedy: Kennedy is a clan in its own right; only the Kennedys of Lianachan followed Lochiel.
- MacLachlan: The MacLachlans of Coruanan were hereditary standard-bearers to Lochiel. MacLachlan is also a separate clan.
- MacMillan: Described by the clan association as confederated with the Camerons around Loch Arkaig. MacMillan is also a separate clan.
- MacPhee: Described by the clan association as a broken clan long confederated with the Camerons.
- Taylor: Linked to the Camerons through descent from Donald, the Taillear Dubh.
“Associated” means the name appears in published sept lists for this clan. It does not prove descent, and many names are linked to more than one clan. Where your family lived is often the better clue.
Questions people ask
What is the Cameron tartan?
The clan tartan is a red and green sett with a yellow line, first illustrated in 1842. There is also a Cameron Hunting tartan, a Cameron of Lochiel sett named for the chief's house, and the regimental Cameron of Erracht.
What is the Clan Cameron motto?
The motto is 'Aonaibh ri chéile', Gaelic for 'Let us unite'. It goes with the crest of five arrows bound together.
Where is Clan Cameron from?
Lochaber in the West Highlands, around Fort William, Loch Arkaig and Glen Nevis. The chief's seat is Achnacarry.
Which surnames are associated with Clan Cameron?
The Clan Cameron Association lists names such as MacMartin, MacGillonie, MacSorley, Chalmers, Clark, Dowie, MacMaster, MacPhail and Taylor. Several, including Kennedy, MacMillan and MacLachlan, are also clans in their own right.
Sources
- Members: chiefs of clans and names — Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (clanchiefs.org.uk)
- Septs of Clan Cameron — Clan Cameron Association (clan-cameron.org)
- The Basics of Clan Cameron — Clan Cameron Association (clan-cameron.org)
- Scottish Crest Badge or Clan Crest? — Clan Cameron in Australia
- Clan Cameron — Electric Scotland
- Clan Cameron — Wikipedia (supplementary check)
- Scottish Register of Tartans: Cameron — tartanregister.gov.uk
- Scottish Register of Tartans: Cameron Hunting — tartanregister.gov.uk
- Scottish Register of Tartans: Cameron of Locheil — tartanregister.gov.uk
- Scottish Register of Tartans: Cameron of Erracht — tartanregister.gov.uk
Clan histories are contested and sources disagree. If you can correct something here with a source, write to hello@tartanflag.com. Last updated 17 September 2026.