Clan MacTavish
Clan MacTamhais
MacTavish is a Knapdale name from Dunardry in Argyll. The chiefship lay dormant for over two centuries before the Lord Lyon matriculated arms in 1997.
History
Clan MacTavish belongs to Knapdale in Argyll. Electric Scotland traces the name to Taus Coir, said to be a son of Gillespic by a daughter of Sween, lord of Castle Sween, around the late 11th century. That is family tradition, not documented fact. The same history says Clan Iver sprang from Taus's brother, and that the family held charter lands at Dunardry from the 12th century.
The chiefly lands lay at Dunardry, in Knapdale. Older records spell the name in many ways, such as MacAvis, McCawis and McKavis, and Thompson is the usual alternative form today. COSCA's list of related surnames runs to well over a hundred spellings, which shows how far the name drifted in the hands of clerks.
A long-standing story makes the MacTavishes a branch of the Campbells. The clan's own announcement in 2002 calls this a legend. It says the two families share a root but that the MacTavishes pre-date the Campbell name, and it cites the Craignish annals, which describe the clan as independent of the Argyll Campbells. The link has some history behind it. The arms granted in 1793 by Lord Lyon John Hooke-Campbell gave pride of place to a Campbell gyronny.
In 1745 Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry was held at Dumbarton after letters about raising men for the Jacobite cause were intercepted. A general pardon freed him in 1747. With the chief in prison, Electric Scotland says, MacTavish men fought at Culloden within the Mackintosh and Fraser ranks. His son Lachlan sold Dunardry at public auction in 1785. Money troubles, partly blamed on the Crinan Canal crossing the estate, lay behind the sale.
After that the chiefship went unclaimed. Electric Scotland follows the line to Canada, where William MacTavish went out in 1833, joined the Hudson's Bay Company and is recorded as chief from 1855. In 1949 the Lord Lyon of the day, Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, wrote to the family in Canada. On 23 July 1997 Dugald MacTavish was matriculated with the arms and recognised as 26th chief.
In December 2002 the 34th Lord Lyon, Robin Blair, agreed revised arms. The buck's head now takes the leading quarters and the Campbell gyronny moves to the lesser ones. The crest is a boar's head and the motto is Non oblitus. COSCA lists Steven MacTavish of Dunardry as chief today. We have not found a clear source for a plant badge or for a castle still standing at Dunardry, so we leave both out.
Clan MacTavish 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.
MacTavish #2Other sett · Register ref. 4840This is the sett as printed in Johnston's 1906 book. The Register says that in October 2003 the Lord Lyon was asked to record it as the official MacTavish tartan, in place of an earlier version that differs only in a black line where this one has blue.
MacTavish DressDress tartan · Register ref. 2769Approved by the Lord Lyon in 1958 and designed for Lord Thomson of Fleet from a mid 19th century sample in the Moy Hall collection. The Register says the chief agreed in 1998 that it should be the clan's dress tartan.
MacTavish HuntingHunting tartan · Register ref. 2770Also designed for Lord Thomson of Fleet and approved in 1958, from a Moy Hall sample of the mid 19th century. The Register says it suits MacTavishes and Thompsons who claim descent from the Mackintoshes.
Get the kilt
When you order a kilt, ask for the tartan by its full name — for example “MacTavish #2” — 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 MacTavish 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
- Dunardry, Knapdale. The chiefly lands of the family in Argyll, sold at auction in 1785.
Surnames
The clan name and its spellings
- MacTavish
- Tavish
- Mac Cavish
- Mac Thavish
- Mac Tamhais
Names associated with Clan MacTavish
- Thomson
- Thompson
- Thomas
- Tamson
- Stevenson
- Stevens
- Hawson
- Cash
- Todd
- Mac Lehose
- Mac Gavish
- Holmes
- Tawse
- Mac Comie
- Thomson: Listed by COSCA. A very common surname that is also found in other families.
- Thompson: Listed by COSCA, and named by Electric Scotland as the main alternative form of the name.
- Thomas: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
- Tamson: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
- Stevenson: Listed by COSCA. The surname is also found in other families.
- Stevens: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
- Hawson: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
- Cash: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
- Todd: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
- Mac Lehose: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
- Mac Gavish: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
- Holmes: Listed by COSCA. A common surname also found in other families.
- Tawse: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
- Mac Comie: Listed by COSCA among MacTavish names.
“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 MacTavish tartan?
The Scottish Register of Tartans lists several MacTavish setts, including a 1906 version, a dress sett and a hunting sett, the last two approved by the Lord Lyon in 1958.
What is the MacTavish motto?
The motto is Non oblitus, Latin for 'not forgetful', according to COSCA and the clan's 2002 announcement of new arms.
Are Thomson and Thompson part of Clan MacTavish?
COSCA lists Thomson and Thompson among MacTavish names, and Electric Scotland calls Thompson the main alternative form. They are also common surnames in other families, so we treat them as associated names.
Where do the MacTavishes come from?
The family is tied to Dunardry in Knapdale, Argyll. Tradition traces it to the lords of Castle Sween, and charters record lands there from the 12th century.
Sources
- MacTavish — COSCA - Council of Scottish Clans & Associations
- Clan MacTavish (Clan MacTamhais) — Electric Scotland
- News of an ancient Highland clan: new arms for MacTavish — Electric Scotland
- MacTavish #2 (ref. 4840) — Scottish Register of Tartans
- MacTavish Dress (ref. 2769) — Scottish Register of Tartans
- MacTavish Hunting (ref. 2770) — 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 3 November 2026.