Clan Cameron
Clan Cameron Motto
AONAIBH RI CHÉILE
Let Us unite
WAR CRY
"Chlanna nan con thigibh a so's gheibh sibh feoil" - "Sons of the hounds come here and get flesh."
Taylor Sept
TAILLEAR DUBH NA TUAIGHE (BLACK TAILOR OF THE AXE):
Natural son of Ewen Beag Cameron, 14th Chief of Clan Cameron. He was fostered and nursed by a tailor's wife in Blar-nan-Cleireach, or Lundavra, from which the infant was referred to as "An Taillear Dubh." He grew up a brave and prudent man, famous for his sarcasm and ready wit, but even more so for the skill with which he wielded his battle- axe, the Tuaighe, a favorite weapon of the Camerons of Lochaber; from this came his sobriquet of `Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe. Not being of legitimate birth, he could not act in the capacity of chief, instead he became the champion of the Camerons. It is said that in every battle in which he led them they were victorious. It is believed that in time he and a moderate number of allied Camerons settled in Cowal, where they all adopted the name of Taylor, in reference to Donald. His younger cousin, Allan, 16th Chief of Clan Cameron, whose estate and very life had been saved by Donald, bestowed upon him a great honor, placing his effigy in the family coat of arms as supporters, with his battle-axe conspicuously held aloft. There he remains. The name Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe rouses great pride and affection; he is thought of as the ideal warrior and hero of Clan Cameron.
TAYLOR / TAYLER
A major sept of Clan Cameron. This surname is derived from the Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe (Black Tailor of the Axe), the natural son of Ewen Beag Cameron, 14th Chief of Clan Cameron, known as the greatest warrior of Clan Cameron, wielding his famed Lochaber axe.
BASIC CLAN CAMERON: The tartan listed as "Clan Cameron," deep red and dark green, with bright yellow borders, is for general use by all members of Clan Cameron. It is also available as "ancient" Cameron, with softer dye colors and as a "reproduction" tartan with supposedly more "authentic" colors. If one tartan had to be singled out as the tartan for Camerons worldwide, Basic Clan Cameron would be the one. As is with most clan tartans, this is one from the Vestiarium of Scoticum in 1834, which was accepted by the then Lochiel over 150 years ago. It very much resembles an old red and green square sett in the West Highland Museum in Fort William, although there are some variations. One should remember that while "clan tartans" are indeed rather old, that in many instances they only have a passing resemblance to the garb of the ancient Scots.
CAMERON
A surname of many supposed origins, Lowland and Highland and foreign.
One tradition contends that the name originates from a younger son of the Royal Family of Denmark, who assisted at the restoration of King Fergus II, annointed in 404 A.D. He was called Cameron, or "Cambro" because of his "crooked" nose, as the surname implies. He supposedly acquired his property in marriage with the daughter and heiress of the MacMartins of Letterfinlay.
In the Highlands the name is thought to be derived from the word "Camshron," Gaelic for "wry"/"hook/crooked nose" or "Cambrun," Gaelic for "crooked hill."
It is thought to be of a "territorial" source in the Lowlands, from one of three places: Cameron, near Edinburgh; Cameron in Lennox; Cameron (Cambrun/Camberone), a parish in Fife, Norman for "crooked hill."
Battles of Clan Cameron