Description

Boyd Modern Medium Weight Tartan. One likely derivation of this name is that it is taken from the Island of Bute, the Gaelic name of which is Bod. This, in the genitive becomes Bhoid, the Marquess of Bute, in Gaelic, becoming Morair Bhoid. This appears the more likely in that the first recorded Boyds were vassals of the De Morevilles in the regality of Largs. A different origin altogether of the name is that Walter and Simon, sons of Alan, Hereditary Stewart of Dol, in Normandy, who came to England in the reign of Henry I, went north to seek their fortune. Robert, the son of Simon, became the progenitor of the Boyds since he was himself known as Buidhe (Gaelic: yellow) from the colour of his hair. The name is still common in the Highlands, particularly in Lochaber. From this tradition comes the fact that the Boyds are recognised by some authorities as a sept of the Royal Stewarts.