Clan Stewart / Stuart | History, Royal Heritage, and Tartan
- Kerri Cuthbert
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
Few names in Scottish history carry as much weight as Clan Stewart (or Stuart), the royal dynasty that ruled Scotland for centuries and eventually the entire British Isles. From their beginnings as stewards of the Scottish crown lands, the Stewarts rose to become monarchs, uniting Scotland under their line and later wearing the English and Irish crowns.
Their motto, “Virescit vulnere virtus” (“Courage grows strong at a wound”), reflects their resilience through centuries of political triumphs and tragedies. The clan’s tartans, including the royal Stewart tartan, are among the most widely recognised and worn in the world.
This is not simply a clan story – it is the story of a family that shaped the destiny of nations, producing kings and queens whose influence endures in Scottish and British history alike.
Origins and Early History
The Stewart name originates from the office of High Steward of Scotland, a hereditary title that passed through the descendants of Walter FitzAlan, who came from Brittany in the 12th century. His son and heirs became central figures in the Scottish court, trusted with managing royal estates and leading armies in times of war.
By the 14th century, the family had risen to the throne itself when Robert II (a descendant of Walter FitzAlan through his marriage to Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert the Bruce) became the first Stewart king of Scotland in 1371. This dynastic leap transformed the Stewarts from powerful nobles into the royal house of Scotland.
The Stewart Dynasty
The Stewarts ruled Scotland from 1371 until the early 17th century. Some of their most notable monarchs include:
Robert II (1371–1390): Founder of the Stewart royal line.
James IV (1488–1513): A renaissance king who strengthened Scotland but was killed at Flodden.
Mary, Queen of Scots (1542–1567): Perhaps the most famous Stewart monarch, remembered for her tragic reign, imprisonment, and execution in England.
James VI of Scotland (1567–1625): Later James I of England, who united the crowns of Scotland and England in 1603.
This dynastic union under James VI & I marked the beginning of the Stuart dynasty on the English throne, a family line that ruled Britain through turbulent centuries of civil war, revolution, and restoration.
Crest, Motto, and Symbols
The crest of Clan Stewart depicts a pelican feeding her young, a medieval symbol of self-sacrifice and nurturing, reflecting the family’s role as protectors of the realm. Their motto, “Virescit vulnere virtus” (“Courage grows strong at a wound”), speaks to the endurance of the clan despite many political upheavals and battles.
The plant badge varies among branches but often includes the oak or thistle, both symbols of strength and Scottish identity.
The Stewart Tartans
The tartans of Clan Stewart are among the most famous in the world. Key variations include:
Royal Stewart Tartan: Bright red with bold overchecks of green, yellow, and white, this is recognised globally as the personal tartan of Queen Elizabeth II and is considered the official royal tartan.
Hunting Stewart Tartan: A darker green and blue version with red highlights, designed for wear in the field.
Dress Stewart Tartan: A predominantly white version, historically worn on formal occasions.
Because of their royal association, Stewart tartans are some of the most widely worn tartans today, symbolising Scottish heritage far beyond the clan itself.
Feuds, Alliances, and Influence
The Stewarts were less a clan in the traditional Highland sense and more a royal dynasty, though their power extended across Scotland. They forged alliances through marriage and patronage, but their reign was marked by rivalries and conflicts as well.
During the Wars of the Roses in England and the Reformation in Scotland, the Stewarts found themselves at the heart of dynastic and religious conflict. Their support for Catholicism, particularly under Mary, Queen of Scots, and the later Stuarts in exile, shaped centuries of political turmoil.
The Stuarts and the Jacobite Cause
After James II of England and VII of Scotland was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the Stuart line in Britain ended in exile. However, the Jacobite movement emerged, seeking to restore the Stuarts to the throne.
Figures like Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) became legendary leaders of the Jacobite risings in the 18th century, with Highland clans rallying under their banner. These uprisings, though unsuccessful, cemented the Stuarts as romantic symbols of lost Scottish sovereignty.
The Clan Today
Although the royal Stuart line in Britain ended with the death of Henry Benedict Stuart, Cardinal Duke of York, in 1807, the wider Clan Stewart continues through various branches across Scotland and abroad.
Today, the clan is represented by several chiefs of different Stewart branches, including the Stewarts of Appin and the Stewarts of Atholl. Stewart societies around the world celebrate their heritage, preserving the history of Scotland’s most famous dynasty.
The Stewart tartan remains one of the most iconic symbols of Scottish identity, worn proudly at Highland games, weddings, and global events celebrating Scottish culture.
Clan Stewart is not just a clan – it is a royal house whose story shaped Scotland and Britain for centuries. From the battlefield of Flodden to the courts of Europe, from the tragic figure of Mary, Queen of Scots to the Jacobite dreams of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Stewarts left an indelible mark on history.
Their tartans, crests, and motto continue to embody courage, loyalty, and legacy. For those with Stewart ancestry, it is a proud heritage; for Scotland, it is a history that lives on in song, story, and tradition.
For more on Scotland’s great clans, explore our series: Clan Histories & Tartans.