The Scottish surnames of Clan Grant reach across six continents today. If Grant, MacGillivray, or Allan appears on your family tree, you may trace your roots to Strathspey — one of the most beautiful valleys in the Scottish Highlands. Clan Grant held this land for eight hundred years. Their motto says it all: Stand Fast Craigellachie.
What Does the Surname Grant Mean?
The surname Grant has Norman French roots. It comes from the word le grand, meaning “the large one” or “the tall one.” Norman settlers brought it to Scotland in the twelfth century.
Over time, the name took on a Gaelic form. In Scottish Gaelic, the clan name appears as Grannd. The meaning stayed the same — a nod to great stature, both physical and social.
By the thirteenth century, the Grants had put down deep roots in the Highlands. They built a clan that would last for eight hundred years.
Scottish Surnames of Clan Grant and Its Septs
The primary surname is, of course, Grant. But like all major Scottish clans, Clan Grant gathered allied families and septs under its protection. These families often swore loyalty to the Grant chiefs while keeping their own names.
Here are the key surnames linked to Clan Grant:
- Grant — the chief name of the clan, widespread across Scotland, Canada, the United States, and Australia.
- MacGillivray — from the Gaelic Mac Gille Bhràth, meaning “son of the servant of judgement.” The MacGillivrays lived in Strathspey and the Grant heartland for centuries.
- Allan / Allen — descended from Allan Mòr, a figure in Grant clan tradition. The name appears often in Strathspey parish records.
- MacAllan — a variant of the Allan sept, meaning “son of Allan.” Found in Grant country across the Highlands.
- Gilchrist — from the Gaelic Gille Criosd, meaning “servant of Christ.” This name appears in Grant clan registers from the sixteenth century.
- Grierson — sometimes listed as a Grant sept, this surname derives from the forename Gregory. It is found in both Highland and Lowland Scotland.
If you carry any of these surnames, your ancestral lands likely lie along the River Spey. That is the Grant homeland — and it is still there, waiting for you.
The Clan Grant Homeland: Strathspey
Clan Grant ruled Strathspey — the valley of the River Spey in the Central Highlands. This stretch of country runs from the Cairngorm Mountains down through Speyside to the Moray Firth. It is one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland.
The centre of Grant power was Castle Grant, near the town of Grantown-on-Spey. The castle still stands today, though it is not open to the public. You can see it from the surrounding lanes and feel the weight of history around it.
Grantown-on-Spey itself is a clan creation. Sir James Grant — known as “The Good Sir James” — planned and built the town in 1765. He wanted to bring commerce and prosperity to his people. The town’s neat Georgian grid still reflects his vision.
The River Spey runs through the heart of Grant country. It is the second longest river in Scotland and one of the fastest. Salmon fishers have worked its banks for centuries. Whisky distillers still draw from its waters today.
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The Grant Tartan
The Grant tartan is one of the oldest and most recognised in Scotland. It uses red, green, and blue stripes on a dark background. The design is bold and striking — it suits a clan with a fierce reputation.
There are several Grant tartan variants today. The main Grant tartan works for everyday wear. A dress version uses white for formal occasions. A hunting tartan in darker greens and blues suits outdoor use.
If you have Grant blood, wearing the tartan is one of the most direct ways to honour your heritage. Many Scottish diaspora families bring it to weddings, Highland games, and Burns Night suppers around the world.
Want to explore more clan tartans? See our guide to Clan Fraser tartans and Clan MacKenzie tartans to compare the Highland palettes.
Clan Grant Through History
The Grants first appear in written records in the thirteenth century. They held land around Inverness and quickly expanded into Strathspey. By the fourteenth century, they were one of the largest clans in the Central Highlands.
The clan had complex ties to the Scottish Crown. They supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence. This loyalty earned them land and favour in Strathspey — grants that formed the core of their territory for centuries.
During the Jacobite risings, the Grants took a careful path. Many clan members felt sympathy for the Stuart cause. But the chief, Ludovick Grant, sided with the government in the 1715 rising. He raised a regiment for King George I.
This split the clan. Some Grants fought at Sheriffmuir in 1715. Others served in government forces. By the 1745 rising of Bonnie Prince Charlie, the chief again refused to commit fully. Individual Grants fought on both sides.
The Jacobite defeat at Culloden in 1746 ended the old Highland way of life. The clan system weakened. Land laws changed. The road that followed led to the Clearances — and the first great wave of Grant emigration.
To understand how these events shaped Scotland, read our guide to Clan Cameron, who suffered badly at Culloden, and Clan Fraser, who fought on the Jacobite side.
The Clearances and Grant Migration
The Highland Clearances hit Strathspey hard between 1750 and 1850. Landlords replaced tenant farmers with sheep. Families who had worked Grant lands for generations lost their homes.
Many Grant families sailed to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in Canada. Others went to Ontario. A smaller stream reached the United States — settling in Virginia, the Carolinas, and later moving west.
Australia and New Zealand received Grant settlers from the 1840s onwards. Many went to Otago in New Zealand, where Scottish settlers shaped early colonial society. Victoria and New South Wales in Australia also welcomed Highland families.
Today, the surname Grant appears in all these countries. If you carry it, your family’s story likely includes a journey across the Atlantic or Pacific — a departure from Strathspey that changed everything.
For guidance on tracing your family’s journey, see our step-by-step guide to planning a Scottish heritage trip to your ancestral clan lands.
Famous People Named Grant
The Grant name has travelled far. Several well-known figures in history have carried it.
Ulysses S. Grant served as the 18th President of the United States. He led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War. His family had Scottish roots, though the precise connection to Clan Grant Scotland remains a subject of genealogical debate.
James Grant of Grant — known as “The Good Sir James” — was the clan chief who changed Strathspey in the eighteenth century. He founded Grantown-on-Spey, improved farming across his estates, and tried to soften the worst effects of the Clearances on his tenants.
Anne Grant of Laggan was a Scottish poet and writer born in 1755. She lived much of her life in Strathspey and wrote about Highland society before the Clearances. Her letters and poems give us a vivid picture of Grant country at its peak.
Where to Visit: Clan Grant Country Today
Strathspey is one of the most easy-to-reach parts of the Highlands. The A9 road runs straight through it. The Caledonian Sleeper train stops at Aviemore. You can walk into Grant country within minutes of arriving.
- Grantown-on-Spey — the town Sir James Grant built in 1765. Walk the Georgian streets, visit the Grantown Museum, and stand where the chief’s vision took shape.
- Castle Grant — the clan seat, visible from the B9102 road near Grantown. Private property, but clearly visible from the surrounding lanes. A short walk gives you a real sense of the old Grant power base.
- Carrbridge — one of the most photographed villages in the Highlands. The old packhorse bridge over the River Dulnain dates from 1717. This is Grant country — the bridge served travellers crossing the clan’s lands for three centuries.
- Aviemore and the Cairngorms — the mountains above Grant country. Walk the ancient pinewoods of Rothiemurchus and see what the Highlands looked like before the Clearances changed the landscape.
- Strathspey Railway — a heritage steam railway running between Aviemore and Broomhill. It travels through the heart of Grant country and gives you a slow, beautiful view of the Spey valley.
- Craigellachie Rock, Aviemore — the rocky outcrop named in the clan’s motto. “Stand Fast Craigellachie” — this is the rock the clan rallied to in times of danger. You can walk to it from Aviemore town centre.
For help planning your full heritage route, read our 7-Day Scottish Ancestry Itinerary and our Scottish Heritage Trip Planning Guide.
Connecting with Neighbouring Clans
The Grants share much of their history with their Highland neighbours. Clan MacKenzie held land to the north and west. Clan Gordon controlled Aberdeenshire to the east. The Grants sat between these great powers for centuries — sometimes as allies, sometimes as rivals.
Clan Campbell and Clan Murray also shaped the political world the Grants moved through. Understanding these neighbouring clans helps you map the full picture of Highland history.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Clan Grant
What does the Grant surname mean in Scottish?
Grant comes from the Norman French le grand, meaning “the large one” or “the tall one.” It arrived in Scotland with Norman settlers in the twelfth century. In Scottish Gaelic, the clan name became Grannd, keeping the same meaning.
Where is Clan Grant from in Scotland?
Clan Grant comes from Strathspey — the valley of the River Spey in the Central Highlands. Their main stronghold was Castle Grant, near the town of Grantown-on-Spey. The clan controlled this region for hundreds of years.
What is the Clan Grant motto?
The Clan Grant motto is Stand Fast Craigellachie. Craigellachie is a rocky outcrop near Aviemore. In times of danger, the clan would rally there. The motto is a call to hold firm — it still defines the Grant spirit today.
What are the septs of Clan Grant?
The main septs and associated names of Clan Grant include Grant, MacGillivray, Allan, MacAllan, Gilchrist, and Grierson. These families lived in and around Strathspey and gave loyalty to the Grant chiefs. If you carry one of these surnames, Clan Grant territory may be your ancestral home.
Where can I visit Clan Grant country today?
You can visit Grantown-on-Spey, Castle Grant, Carrbridge, and Craigellachie Rock near Aviemore. The Strathspey Railway offers a scenic route through the clan’s heartland. The Cairngorms National Park surrounds the region with walking routes through ancient Grant lands.