Bagtown Clans

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Clan Patterson Crest

Clan Patterson Crest
Clan Patterson Crest
CREST: A dexter hand issuing out of a cloud holding a branch of laurel, all Proper
MOTTO: Hic tendimus omnes
TRANSLATION: We strive for this
VARIATIONS: Paterson
The name “Patterson” finds its roots in the Gaelic “MacPhadraig,” which translates to “son of the devotee of St. Patrick.” This etymology suggests a strong connection to the Celtic church, where some Paterson ancestors may have held ecclesiastical roles. Remarkably, even though the Celtic church permitted priests to marry, these early Pattersons might have chosen a path of devotion to St. Patrick.

Around the close of the thirteenth century, the Patterson clan settled along the picturesque shores of Loch Fyne in the Lowlands of Scotland. This move marked the beginning of their presence in the region and set the stage for the name “Paterson” to become one of the twenty most common surnames in Lowland Scotland.

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The Darien Scheme remains a significant chapter in Patterson history. Scots, including many Patersons, invested heavily in this ambitious project, envisioning a prosperous Scottish colony in Central America. However, powerful merchant interests in England opposed the scheme, leading to its ultimate collapse in 1699. The settlers endured harsh conditions, and many investors faced financial ruin.

One of the most celebrated episodes involving the Patterson clan unfolded during the Jacobite rising of 1745. Sir Hugh Paterson of Bannockburn, a baronet since 1686, hosted Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the “Bonnie Prince,” at his grand mansion near the famous battle site. It was during this visit that the prince met Sir Hugh’s niece, Clementina Walkinshaw, who would become his mistress and bear him a daughter, Charlotte, Duchess of Albany. Bannockburn House still stands today, a tangible connection to this historic encounter.

Citations:

  • Descriptive catalogue of the clan tartans and family tartans of Scotland with a brief note on their antiquity: also roll of the landlords and Baillies of lands in the Highlands and isles, A.D. 1587: roll of the clans; badges of the clans, John Catto and Company, King Street, Toronto, Canada
  • Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia”, by Collins, HarperCollins Publishers 1994
Clan Patterson Scottish History Poster