Clan Kincaid
Kincaid is a territorial name from lands in the parish of Campsie, north of Glasgow. The motto is "I'll defend", and the chief is listed by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.
History
Kincaid is a name taken from land. Electric Scotland and the Clan Kincaid Association both trace it to the estate of Kincaid in the parish of Campsie, between the Campsie Fells and Kirkintilloch, north of Glasgow. The lands lay between the River Kelvin and its tributary, the Glazert. COSCA files the clan under Dunbartonshire, while older references place Campsie in Stirlingshire, so the county label depends on the period.
According to the clan association, the Kincaids may be descended from the Earls of Lennox, who owned these lands in the late twelfth century. That is a tradition rather than a proven line. East of Kincaid stood Auchinreoch, nicknamed the Prince's House because it housed a succession of the lairds' eldest sons.
Kincaids were also active in Edinburgh, where Electric Scotland places them among the city's bailies from about the 1450s. Branches took root at Warriston, Craighouse and Over Gogar. Edward Kincaid was sheriff-depute of Edinburgh in 1521, and David Kincaid of Coittis held the post of Constable of Edinburgh Castle in 1542. A separate family settled at Bantaskine, in Stirlingshire, around 1450. Alexander Kincaid of that line was Provost of Edinburgh in 1776 and King's Printer for Scotland.
The record has darker episodes too. In 1563 Malcolm Kincaid lost his left arm in a clash with the Stirlings of Craigbarnet, and Electric Scotland adds that he joined a feud against the Lennoxes of Woodhead in 1571. The same source reports that John Kincaid of Warriston was killed in 1600 on his wife's orders, and that she paid for it by being beheaded.
The chiefship later passed through a Lennox line. By Electric Scotland's account, John Kincaid of that Ilk registered arms in 1808, and in 1833 his son John did so under the combined name Kincaid-Lennox. In 1959 the family rematriculated the undifferenced Lennox arms, and in 1960 the Lord Lyon granted arms to Alwyne Cecil Kincaid as Kincaid of Kincaid. Sources differ in how they describe these steps, so treat the exact sequence with care.
Today COSCA and the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs both name Madam Arabella Kincaid of Kincaid as chief, and the Clan Kincaid Association International says the same. The association serves members around the world. The name also travelled widely, and the association notes later Kincaids in Ireland, North America and elsewhere.
Clan Kincaid 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.
Get the kilt
When you order a kilt, ask for the tartan by its full name — for example “Kincaid” — 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 Kincaid 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
- Kincaid House. The Clan Kincaid Association places Kincaid House at the centre of the old lands and says parts of it date to around 1570. COSCA lists it as the historic seat, though its page labels are not entirely clear.
Surnames
The clan name and its spellings
- Kincaid
- Kincade
- Kinkead
- Kinkaid
- Kinkade
- Kincaith
- Kincathe
- Kencade
- Kinah
- Kinard
- Kyncade
- Kinkid
- Kyncayd
- Kynkad
“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 Kincaid tartan?
The Scottish Register of Tartans lists Kincaid of Kincaid, ref. 1978, dated 1960. It is a green and black sett with a thin dark red line, recorded in the Lord Lyon's register in March 1960.
What is the Kincaid motto?
COSCA gives "I'll defend". Electric Scotland gives it as "This I'll defend".
What spellings of Kincaid are recorded?
COSCA lists Kincade, Kinkead, Kinkaid, Kinkade, Kincaith, Kincathe, Kencade, Kinah, Kinard and Kyncade. Electric Scotland adds older forms such as Kinkid and Kyncayd.
Where is Kincaid from?
The name comes from the lands of Kincaid in the parish of Campsie, north of Glasgow. Sources place Campsie in Stirlingshire or, more recently, in Dunbartonshire.
Sources
- Kincaid — COSCA - Council of Scottish Clans & Associations
- Kincaid — Electric Scotland
- Kincaid history — Electric Scotland
- Members — Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs
- Clan Kincaid Association International — clankincaid.org
- Kincaid lands — Clan Kincaid Association International
- Kincaid of Kincaid (ref. 1978) — Scottish Register of Tartans
Clan histories are contested and sources disagree. If you can correct something here with a source, write to hello@tartanflag.com. Last updated 10 November 2026.