Clan MacTavish: A Legacy of Dunardry, Argyll and the Name Not Forgotten
Introduction
Clan MacTavish, also written McTavish, Mactavish, MacTavis, MacTamhais, Tavish, and related forms, is a historic Highland Scottish clan rooted especially in Argyll, Dunardry, Kilmartin, Loch Fyne, Dunadd, Knapdale, Glassary, and the wider western Highlands.
The Gaelic name is:
MacTamhais
meaning:
Son of Thomas
The clan motto is:
“Non Oblitus”
“Not forgotten.”
The clan crest is:
A boar’s head erased Or, langued Gules / Proper.
In simpler terms, this is a golden boar’s head with a red tongue. Modern clan profiles list the MacTavish crest as a boar’s head and the motto as Non Oblitus.
The clan war cry is:
“Cruach Mòr”
The historic seat is:
The Castle of Dunardry, Argyll.
The current chief is:
Steven Edward Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry
27th Hereditary Chief of Clan MacTavish
Mac Tamhais Mòr
Modern clan references identify Steven MacTavish of Dunardry as the current chief of Clan MacTavish.
Chapter I: Origins of Clan MacTavish
The surname MacTavish comes from the Gaelic:
Mac Tamhais
meaning:
Son of Thomas
The personal name Thomas was widely used across medieval Scotland and the Gaelic world. In Argyll, the form Tamhais / Tavish became the basis of the clan name.
Historic spellings and related names include:
MacTavish
McTavish
Mactavish
MacTavis
MacTavish of Dunardry
MacTamhais
MacThamhais
MacIltavish
MacIlTavish
Tavish
Tawes
Tawse
Thomas
Thomson
Thompson
Clan traditions connect MacTavish with the older Argyll world of Dalriada, Knapdale, Kilmartin and Dunardry. Some histories also discuss early relationships between Clan MacTavish and Clan Campbell, especially because the two clans shared Argyll territory and because MacTavish was for a long period treated by some as a Campbell-associated name during the time when the MacTavish chiefship was obscured. Clan MacTavish sources emphasise that the name was later recognised again as a distinct clan with its own chiefship.
Clan MacTavish is therefore a clan of Argyll roots, Gaelic patronymic identity, Dunardry chiefship, Campbell-era complexity, tartans, restored recognition and a name remembered after long silence.
Its motto gives the clan its voice:
Not forgotten.
Chapter II: Clan Territory and Ancestral Lands
Clan MacTavish’s historic territory includes:
Dunardry
Kilmartin
Knapdale
Glassary
Loch Fyne
Dunadd
Argyll
The western Highlands
The wider Scottish diaspora
The historic seat is:
The Castle of Dunardry
Dunardry lies in Argyll, near the ancient heartland of Dalriada and the region around Kilmartin and Dunadd. ScotsConnection notes that the MacTavishes held lands in the vicinity of Kilmartin in Argyll, including the area around Dunadd, the ancient heartland of the kings of Dalriada.
For Clan MacTavish, Dunardry represents:
chiefship
Argyll roots
the old clan seat
the restoration of identity
the heart of MacTavish memory
The MacTavish landscape is classic west Highland Argyll:
sea lochs
ancient forts
Gaelic kingdoms
Campbell power
clan lands
Kilmartin stones
old routes through Knapdale and Glassary
Chapter III: Important People of Clan MacTavish
Tavis Coir
Clan tradition often names Tavis Coir as an early ancestor of the clan.
ScotsConnection gives the traditional account that Tavis Coir, second natural son of Gillespick, son of Callen Mòr, was the progenitor of Clan MacTavish.
As with many early clan origin stories, this tradition should be treated as part of clan memory rather than simple documentary proof. It remains important because it shows how MacTavish identity was understood within the wider Argyll clan world.
The MacTavishes of Dunardry
The chiefly line is:
MacTavish of Dunardry
Dunardry is central to the clan’s modern and historic identity. The current chief is styled of Dunardry, preserving the territorial heart of the name.
Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry
A major modern figure was:
Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry
He was recognised in the modern restoration of Clan MacTavish chiefship. The Scottish Register of Tartans notes that the MacTavish / Thompson / Thomson 1906 sett was agreed by Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry, 26th Chief, to be the clan tartan, and that it appears in the Lord Lyon Court Books as the MacTavish clan tartan.
Steven Edward Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry
The current chief is:
Steven Edward Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry
Modern clan summaries identify him as the 27th Hereditary Chief and Chief of the Name and Arms of Clan MacTavish.
Chapter IV: Castles, Lands and Historic Sites
The Castle of Dunardry
Dunardry is the great symbolic seat of Clan MacTavish.
For Clan MacTavish, it represents:
the chiefly line
Argyll identity
the clan’s old heartland
the “Not Forgotten” motto in living form
the restoration of a name once obscured
Modern clan summaries list the Castle of Dunardry as the historic seat of Clan MacTavish.
Kilmartin
Kilmartin is important because the MacTavishes are associated with lands in the surrounding Argyll region.
Kilmartin is one of Scotland’s most ancient landscapes, famous for prehistoric monuments, carved stones, burial cairns, early Christian memory and medieval Argyll history.
Dunadd
Dunadd is one of the great ancient power centres of Dalriada.
Because clan tradition places MacTavish lands near the Dunadd and Kilmartin area, Dunadd gives the clan story deep antiquity and Gaelic resonance.
Knapdale and Glassary
Knapdale and Glassary belong to the wider MacTavish and west Argyll landscape.
These areas connect the clan with:
Loch Fyne
Argyll Gaelic culture
Campbell-era politics
western Highland landholding
old clan routes and settlements
Loch Fyne
Loch Fyne gives the MacTavish story a maritime Highland setting.
It was a major artery of movement, trade, fishing, military travel and clan communication in Argyll.
Chapter V: Clan Campbell Connections and Restored Identity
Clan MacTavish history is shaped by its relationship with Clan Campbell and by the later restoration of independent clan recognition.
The Campbell Connection
The MacTavishes lived in Argyll, where Campbell influence became extremely powerful.
Some sources describe the MacTavishes as followers of the Campbell chiefs, and clan histories often discuss old blood or territorial connections between the names.
However, modern Clan MacTavish identity is distinct. The clan’s modern recognition restored MacTavish as its own chief-bearing clan, rather than merely a subordinate name.
The Long Obscurity
Clan MacTavish sources describe a long period when the chiefly line was considered lost or obscured.
During that period, MacTavish and related names were sometimes claimed under Campbell association. Modern clan summaries state that this situation changed when the MacTavish chiefship was again recognised.
Recognition of Chiefship
Modern clan summaries state that the chiefship was restored after a long period, with a MacTavish of Dunardry recognised by the Lord Lyon in the late 20th century.
This restoration is central to the meaning of the motto:
Non Oblitus — Not forgotten.
The clan was not erased. It was remembered, recognised and carried forward.
Chapter VI: Clan Crest, Motto and Badge
Clan Crest
The MacTavish crest is:
A boar’s head erased Or, langued Gules / Proper.
This means a golden boar’s head with a red tongue.
The boar suggests:
courage
ferocity
defiance
protection of territory
a warrior spirit
refusal to yield
In Highland symbolism, the boar is a powerful emblem of fearlessness and aggression when threatened.
Clan Motto
The motto is:
“Non Oblitus”
This is commonly translated as:
“Not forgotten.”
Some sources also render it as “Not forgetful,” but modern Clan MacTavish summaries strongly emphasise the sense of Not Forgotten.
It means:
the name survives
the chiefship is remembered
the ancestors are not erased
a clan can return after silence
heritage can be restored
For Clan MacTavish, this motto is not decorative. It is the heart of the modern clan story.
Clan War Cry
The war cry is:
“Cruach Mòr”
Modern clan summaries list Cruach Mòr as the war cry of Clan MacTavish.
Clan Badge
The plant badge is:
The Jacobite Rose
Modern clan summaries list the Jacobite Rose as the plant badge of Clan MacTavish.
The Jacobite Rose suggests:
loyalty
memory
romantic Highland identity
the cause of a lost but remembered past
beauty and sacrifice
Chapter VII: Clan MacTavish Tartans
MacTavish / Thompson / Thomson 1906 Tartan
The MacTavish / Thompson / Thomson 1906 tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 4114.
The Register notes that it was first recorded in W. & A. K. Johnston’s 1906 publication Tartans of the Clans & Septs of Scotland as MacTavish, and that Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry, 26th Chief, agreed it as the clan tartan. It is recorded in the Lord Lyon Court Books as the MacTavish clan tartan.
This is one of the principal tartans for Clan MacTavish.
MacTavish of Dunardry Dress Tartan
The MacTavish of Dunardry Dress tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 10731.
This gives the clan a more formal or dress tartan option.
MacTavish Associated Tartans
The official Clan MacTavish tartan page explains that affiliated tartans are divided into two groups:
MacTavish tartans, including variants connected with names such as Cash, Thompson, Thomson and Holmes; and
associated family-name tartans, formerly called sept tartans, including names such as Todd and Stephenson / Stevenson.
MacTavish Ancient, Modern and Weathered Options
Modern suppliers may offer MacTavish tartans in:
Modern
Ancient
Dress
Weathered
Muted, where available
The usual distinction is dye tone:
Modern colours are deeper and stronger.
Ancient colours are softer and lighter.
Dress tartans are often brighter or more formal.
Weathered colours are muted and aged.
The Meaning of MacTavish Tartan Today
For modern MacTavish descendants, tartan represents:
Dunardry
Argyll roots
the meaning “son of Thomas”
the motto “Not forgotten”
the boar’s head crest
the restored chiefship
family pride and diaspora identity
The MacTavish tartans give this Argyll clan a strong and visible Scottish identity.
Chapter VIII: Heritage, Identity and Clan Traditions
Clan MacTavish represents a Highland identity built on Gaelic naming, Argyll landholding, clan memory, restored recognition and refusal to disappear.
Its story includes:
MacTamhais — son of Thomas
Dunardry
Kilmartin
Dunadd
Knapdale and Glassary
Loch Fyne
Campbell-era complexity
restored MacTavish chiefship
the boar’s head crest
the motto “Non Oblitus”
the war cry “Cruach Mòr”
the Jacobite Rose plant badge
MacTavish tartans
a living recognised chief
Associated names include:
MacTavish
McTavish
Mactavish
MacTavis
MacTamhais
MacIltavish
Tavish
Tawes
Tawse
Cash
MacCash
Holmes
Thomson
Thompson
Thomas
Todd
Stevenson / Stephenson, where recognised by clan association
Modern clan summaries list many of these as related names or associated family names.
Chapter IX: Clan MacTavish Today
Today, Clan MacTavish remains a recognised Highland Scottish clan with a living chief.
The current chief is:
Steven Edward Dugald MacTavish of Dunardry
27th Hereditary Chief of Clan MacTavish
Modern clan references identify him as the current chief, with the Gaelic chiefly title Mac Tamhais Mòr.
Modern Clan MacTavish identity can be found through:
Clan MacTavish organisations
family history research
tartan wearing
study of Dunardry and Argyll records
research into Kilmartin, Knapdale and Glassary
Scottish heritage events
Highland games
diaspora family networks
For MacTavish descendants, the best first step is to trace the family’s name form and region:
MacTavish?
McTavish?
Tavish?
MacIltavish?
Cash?
Holmes?
Thomas?
Thomson?
Thompson?
Argyll?
Dunardry?
Knapdale?
Kilmartin?
Ulster?
Canada?
Australia?
New Zealand?
The United States?
That will determine the strongest family-history path.
Chapter X: Legacy of Clan MacTavish
The story of Clan MacTavish begins with a name:
MacTamhais — son of Thomas.
From Argyll came the homeland.
From Dunardry came the chiefship.
From Kilmartin and Dunadd came ancient Gaelic memory.
From Campbell-era complexity came confusion.
From modern recognition came restoration.
From the crest came the boar.
From the badge came the Jacobite Rose.
Its motto gives the clan its voice:
Non Oblitus — Not forgotten.
That phrase captures the MacTavish spirit: remembered after silence, restored after obscurity, and carried forward with pride.
From Dunardry to Kilmartin, from Argyll to descendants across the world, Clan MacTavish continues to carry its history forward.
Its legacy is written in tartan, boars, roses, old Argyll lands, restored chiefship, family records and the pride of those who still honour the name.
Tartan Time Machine Closing Paragraph
At Tartan Time Machine, we bring Scotland’s past into the present by exploring the clans, surnames, castles, kirkyards, tartans, legends and forgotten stories that shaped the nation.
Clan MacTavish is one chapter in that greater story — a story of Dunardry, Argyll, Kilmartin, Dunadd, boar’s head crests, Jacobite Rose badges, tartans, restored chiefship and the powerful motto: Not forgotten.
Discover more Scottish history, clan stories, castle features and heritage content at:
www.tartantimemachine.com