The Scottish Family of Birnie

    The terms family and clan have become interchangeable. The “Clan Name” was originally the major family within a specific territory, and a “Sept” was a minor family under the Clan’s authority.  And we, the members of the Sept, were often the crofters, tradesmen, and military support, when required. Never say Never

Q. Did we ever have a tartan or Clan ?

Unfortunately, we have no evidence we were a clan. Our early family affiliation was as a “Sept” of the West Coast Matheson Clan. They do have a tartan used today.