Heron
Heron Tartan Collection
Honour a hardy Border name with the Heron collection — a riding family of the frontier and lairds of Kirkcudbright, under the bold motto Par Valeur, "By Valour."
- Featured
- Most relevant
- Best selling
- Alphabetically, A-Z
- Alphabetically, Z-A
- Price, low to high
- Price, high to low
- Date, old to new
- Date, new to old
About the Heron Tartan
The Heron name is an old one of the Anglo-Scottish Borders, taken either from a territorial name or, some say, as a byname for a tall, long-legged person, like the wading bird. One branch of the Herons were riding families of the frontier, another became lairds in Kirkcudbrightshire in the south-west, where they held the barony of Heron. An old Border family, the Herons carry the motto Par Valeur.
Whether you bear the Heron name, descend from the Borders or Kirkcudbrightshire, or simply admire a hardy family of the frontier, this collection brings a Heron tartan into wearable apparel, everyday accessories, home decor and meaningful heritage gifts.
Heron Tartan Pattern & Colours
The collection draws on cool, handsome colours of blue and green crossed with black and lifted by fine lines — the soft grey-blue and green tones of the heron and the water-meadows, fitting for a family of the rivers and marches of the Border country and the south-west.
Who Is This Collection For?
The Heron collection is a meaningful choice for the Heron family, descendants of the Borders and Kirkcudbrightshire, those with Kerroughtree connections, and anyone drawn to an old riding family of the frontier.
- Heron family members
- Border & Kirkcudbright roots
- Riding-family heritage
- Family gatherings
- Birthday & Christmas gifts
- Everyday tartan style
Heron Family Heritage
The Herons appear in Scotland from early times: Jordan Heron witnessed charters of King David I in the mid-12th century, and Walterous de Hayroun served as clerk to William the Lion. Robert Heron was a burgess of Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1302, and the name spread through the Border country, where the Herons lived amid the raiding and feuding of the riding families, and were caught up in the endless cross-border conflict.
In the south-west, the Herons gathered their lands at Kerroughtree in Kirkcudbrightshire into the barony of Heron. George Heron, Keeper of Tynedale, was slain at the Raid of the Redeswire in 1575, one of the last great Border frays. After the union of the crowns in 1603 the old raiding days ended, and many Herons crossed to Ulster, helping to form the Ulster-Scots. The line of the lairds passed through an heiress to the Heron-Maxwells. The motto is Par Valeur.
Heron Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Heron name, the tartan its members wear, and why Heron products make meaningful Scottish heritage gifts.
Is there a Heron tartan?
Yes — those of the Heron name may wear a Heron tartan, a cool blue and green sett recalling the Border and Kirkcudbright country.
Where does the Heron name come from?
From the Borders, either as a territorial name or as a byname for a tall, long-legged person, like the wading bird the heron.
Were the Herons Border reivers?
Yes. One branch of the Herons were among the riding families of the frontier, caught up in the raiding and feuding of the Border country.
Where did the Heron lairds hold land?
At Kerroughtree in Kirkcudbrightshire in the south-west, where they held the barony of Heron.
What does "Par Valeur" mean?
It is French for "by valour" — a fitting motto for a hardy family of the Border frontier.
Is Heron tartan a good gift?
Yes. Heron products make thoughtful gifts for family members, gatherings, birthdays, Christmas and Scottish heritage celebrations.
Celebrate the Heron Name with Pride
Discover Heron tartan apparel, accessories and gifts — honouring the Borders, the lairds of Kirkcudbright and the bold motto Par Valeur.
View Heron Tartan Products