The word clann in Scottish Gaelic means 'offspring, children, or descendants' Each clan was a large group of people, theoretically an extended family, supposedly descended from one progenitor and all owing allegiance to the clan chief It also included a large group of loosely-related septs– dependent families - all of whom looked to the clan chief as their head and their protector They mostly shared the same name Most clans have their own tartan patterns, usually dating from the 19th century There are over 350 clans of Scottish origin, eg Cameron, MacDonald, Campbell, Duncan, Gordon, MacLeod, Montgomery, Ferguson or MacGregor A kilt is a knee-length type of male skirt, which has became a part of the standard dress for the Highlanders Kilts are often worn instead of a black tie and suit at formal occasions such as weddings It has its origin in an older garment called the belted plaid Different patterns of tartan are used to identify the clan, family, or