Clan Grant is a Scottish clan which inhabited land in Northern Scotland since 1316, although the clan is known to have existed farther back than that. During the various times of personal financial hardship in Scotland (particularly in the aftermath of the Jacobite rebellions) many Grants moved elsewhere, mostly across the former British Empire including Canada, the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand. In the present, Grants live in a large number of nations in most parts of the world - an important faction of the Scottish diaspora.
Little is known about the clan from before the 13th century. The earliest known members may include:
Members of Clan Grant have owned land in Strathspey at least since 1316, most likely in Stratherrick, to the east of Loch Ness. In 1316, John Grant of Inverallan sold his land to John le Grant, who was father of Patrick le Grant, Lord of Stratherrick. The clan's lands in Stratherrick would later become controlled by Clan Fraser.
The next available reference is of Duncan le Grant in 1434, and later, Sir Duncan Grant of Freuchie (Castle Grant), who inherited land in Dulnain valley in upper Speyside from his mother, Matilda of Glencarnie. Her family had partially owned it since 1180, when Richard I of England gave Kinveachy (approximately ten miles southwest of Castle Grant) to Gilbert, 3rd Earl of Strathearn.
By the late 15th century, Clan Grant became an important clan in the Scottish Highlands. During this period, the clan's actions resulted in the murder of the Earl of Moray and the defeat of the Earl of Argyll at Glenlivet.
In the 16th century, Sir James Grant of Grant, 16th Chief, led the clan to fight for Charles I of England and the Royalists. Also, an alliance between Sir James and the Earl of Huntly led to the annihilation of the Clan Farquharson.
The main part of Clan Grant supported the British government during the Jacobite uprisings. A force of over 600 Grants joined Colonel Livingstone and fought against the Jacobites at the Battle of Cromdale. However the Grants of Glenmoriston sided with the Jacobites and the two divided Grant forces fought each other at the Battle of Culloden (1746).
The official tartan for the Grant clan is the "1860 sett", which was declared official by Lord Strathspey, chief of the clan. The 1860 sett is used to define both the Ancient and the Modern colours, the Ancient colours being lighter and less sharp (for example, the red of the modern colours is more orange for the ancient colours). Modifications of the official tartan are recognized for Grants of specific regions: the Grants of Ballindalloch and the Grants of Rothiemurchus. There is also a Hunting tartan for the Grant clan, which is common with the Black Watch's tartan. In 1725 the government called up the Grants among three other clans to form six regiments of non-Jacobite highlanders. These regiments were given a tartan to wear. This tartan had a green and black sett was used in the military (and still is today by the Black Watch) and for hunting, as the name implies. Due to the green and black colours of the hunting tartan, one wearing a kilt with such a design would be able to blend in with his surroundings. The green and black sett was adopted by some clans as their official tartan. Others, such as the Grants, adopted it purely as a hunting tartan, opting for a brighter and more colourful official tartan.
It is theorized that Aulay Grant(Olav or Alan Grant) was the earliest Chief of the Clan Grant, though Gregory Grant (1214-1249 A.D.) is the first for which there is any reference.
The current Chief of Clan Grant is Sir James Patrick Trevor Grant of Grant, Bt., 33rd Hereditary Chief of the Clan Grant.
A sept is a split in a Scottish clan. Due to either peaceful splits or conflicts of various types and degrees, a member of a clan would leave to form their own family or clan. The known and accepted septs of the Grant clan are:
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