American Tartans
American Tartans
American Tartans — states, services, and societies
All 50 US states have a registered tartan. So do the four armed services, dozens of cities, every St Andrew's Society chapter, and the United States itself. The American tartan tradition is genuinely real and respectful of Scottish heritage — designed by Americans of Scottish descent and registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans in Edinburgh.
American tartans — honouring Scottish-American identity
The American tartan tradition began in 1981 when Maine adopted a state tartan, followed by Georgia in 1983 and a wave through the 1990s and 2000s. Today every US state has at least one registered tartan, designed by local committees of Scottish-American organisations and recorded officially in Edinburgh.
The United States National Tartan (also called the American St Andrew's Tartan) was designed by Robert Lyon of Scotland in 1992 and adopted by the US Senate in 2008 when National Tartan Day — April 6th — was formally recognised. April 6th marks the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, the founding document of Scottish independence.
Military service tartans — US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, US Coast Guard, US Space Force — are widely worn at funerals, retirements, and Highland Games. The NYPD, FDNY, US Customs, and US Marshals Service also have their own registered tartans, often worn at pipe band events.
Categories of American tartan
US National Tartan
The American St Andrew's Tartan, designed 1992. Officially recognised for National Tartan Day, April 6th. Appropriate for any American with Scottish heritage.
State Tartans
Each state has at least one registered tartan. Georgia, Texas, California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are among the most widely-worn.
US Marine Corps
Designed in 1995. The most-worn American service tartan — popular at Marine Corps Birthday Balls and military funerals.
US Army
Official Army tartan registered in 2007. Often paired with regimental insignia for veteran events.
US Air Force
Registered 2007. Blue-and-grey colour scheme matching service identity.
US Navy
Registered 2007. Navy blue and gold honour the service colours.
NYPD & FDNY
Both have registered tartans, frequently worn at memorials and ceremonial events. Strong Irish-Scottish-American heritage in both services.
St Andrew's Society
Most major US cities have a St Andrew's Society with a chapter tartan. Often worn at Burns Suppers and St Andrew's Night dinners.
What to wear if you're American with Scottish heritage
American tartans aren't substitutes for clan tartans — they sit alongside them. Many Scottish-Americans wear both: their family clan tartan in one kilt, their state or service tartan in another.
- Your state tartan — for state-pride events, Highland Games where you're representing your state, or as a secondary kilt to your family tartan.
- US Marine Corps / Army / Navy / Air Force — if you're a veteran or active service member, or honouring a family member who served.
- US National Tartan — for National Tartan Day (April 6th) or general Scottish-American events where you want a universal American sett.
- Your family clan tartan — always available alongside — American tartans complement but never replace a clan tartan if you have one.
American with Scottish roots?
Most Americans of Scottish descent wear both their state tartan and their family clan tartan at different events. Find both below or use the Clan Finder.