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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> MacNaghten

MacNaghten Clan Tattoos - The Macnaghten are one of the clans who claim descent from the great Pictish rulers of Moray.

The name Neghtan, which means 'pure' or 'clear', was popular in at least one branch of the Pictish royal line. In the 13th century there are records of three brothers, Gilchrist, Athe and Gilbert, the sons of Malcolm Macnaghten. Gilchrist received from Alexander III a charter in 1267 granting him the keepership of a castle warding the narrow Pass of Brander, the gateway to the west.

The Macnaghtens appear to have changed their allegiance and a Baron Macnaghten, possibly Alexander of that Ilk, is recorded fighting at Bannockburn in 1314. The Macnaghten gained little from their late change of heart, and from that point on the Campbells dominated Loch Awe. Alexander, the chief who may have fought at Bannockburn, took for his second wife Christina Campbell. When she was widowed in 1316, Christina granted her cousin, Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow, her marriage portion of one third of the Macnaghten lands. Alexander's son, Duncan, succeeded to the remaining lands. He made his seat at Dunderave.

Clan MacNaghten Motto: I Hoip In God
From Gaelic: I Hope in God

See also: Claddagh, Thistle Tattoos, Scottish Lion Tattoo Designs, Welsh Dragon Tattoos, Scottish Tattoo Designs, Celtic Tattoo Designs, Family Crests