Shaw in Scotland has two especially important historical strands: Highland Clan Shaw within the Clan Chattan association, linked with Rothiemurchus and Tordarroch, and the Lowland Schaws of Sauchie in Clackmannanshire. Together they show the surname’s broad place in both Highland and Lowland history.
For family-name designs, browse the Shaw Scottish heritage collection.
Is Shaw a Scottish clan?
Yes. The Clan Chattan Association identifies Clan Shaw, or Clann Ay, as one of the clans within the wider Clan Chattan association. Its account links the Highland Shaws closely with the Mackintosh line and names John, a younger son of Angus and Eva, as the founder of Clan Shaw. The clan later held lands at Rothiemurchus near Aviemore and, after Rothiemurchus passed out of Shaw hands, the chiefly family was represented at Tordarroch in Strathnairn.
The Rothiemurchus and Tordarroch history firmly supports the name Clan Shaw for the Highland kindred. Family records can connect a modern Shaw line with this Clan Chattan tradition, the Lowland Schaws of Sauchie, or another regional branch.
What is the connection between Shaw, Rothiemurchus and Tordarroch?
The Clan Chattan Association places the early Highland Shaw story at Rothiemurchus in Strathspey. Its published history says Shaw Mor led the Clan Chattan champions in the celebrated combat on the North Inch of Perth in 1396 and that the family received lands at Rothiemurchus. By 1567 those lands had passed to the Grants. The Shaw chiefly line was thereafter represented by Clann Ay at Tordarroch in Strathnairn, with other branches recorded at places including Dell, Dalnavert and Kinrara.
The North Inch episode is a celebrated part of Clan Shaw tradition. The Clan Chattan account preserves the clan’s role in the famous 1396 combat at Perth and its enduring place in Highland memory.
Who were the Schaws of Sauchie?
The Schaws of Sauchie belong to a separate Lowland strand of the surname story. Historic Environment Scotland records Sauchie Tower in Clackmannanshire as a nationally important late-medieval tower house built between about 1430 and 1440. Its account says historical records suggest the builder was James Schaw of Sauchie, who later served as Comptroller of the royal household in the 1470s and was appointed captain of Stirling Castle in 1489.
The Schaw spelling has a firm place in fifteenth-century central Scotland through the family of Sauchie. This Lowland story stands alongside, and adds breadth to, the Highland Clan Shaw chiefly tradition at Tordarroch.
What is the Shaw motto?
The Clan Chattan Association records the Clan Shaw motto as Fide et Fortitudine, “By Fidelity and Fortitude.” It belongs to the Highland Tordarroch tradition and remains one of Clan Shaw’s proudest identifiers.
Who is the current Chief of Clan Shaw?
Two current organizations preserve different chiefship listings: the Clan Chattan Association names Iain Shaw of Tordarroch as the 23rd chief following his father John’s death in 2017, while the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs page still lists John Shaw of Tordarroch. The more recent Clan Chattan succession account provides the clearest modern chronology, with the Council listing noted as awaiting alignment.
How should Shaw family history be researched?
Start with the most recent documented generation and work backward through civil registration, parish records, census returns, wills, and land records. Inverness-shire or Strathspey can lead toward the Highland story, while Clackmannanshire records may connect with the Schaws of Sauchie.
Researchers can follow Shaw and Schaw across the historical records, using places, relatives, occupations, and dates to connect spelling changes with the Highland or Lowland branch involved.
Frequently asked questions about the Shaw name
Is Clan Shaw part of Clan Chattan?
Yes. The Clan Chattan Association treats Clan Shaw as one of the clans within the Clan Chattan association and traces its Highland story through Rothiemurchus and Tordarroch.
The Highland Shaw and Lowland Schaw traditions
They are both important Scottish Shaw/Schaw histories: Sauchie represents a documented Lowland family, while Tordarroch carries the Highland Clan Shaw chiefly tradition. Family records reveal where an individual line belongs within this wider Scottish story.
What does Fide et fortitudine mean?
The Clan Chattan Association translates the Clan Shaw motto Fide et fortitudine as “by fidelity and fortitude.”
Sources
- Clan Chattan Association — Clan Shaw: Clan Shaw history, Rothiemurchus, Tordarroch, North Inch tradition and motto.
- Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs — Members: current listing for Shaw of Tordarroch.
- Historic Environment Scotland — Sauchie Tower (SM629): fifteenth-century tower and James Schaw of Sauchie.