Taylor is a
sept ("branch") of
Clan Cameron, a
Scottish clan. Present day members of the Taylor sept hold the Scottish
surname Taylor.
Sept namebearer
Some members of the Taylor sept are descendants of
Donald Cameron ('Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe')
Donald Cameron (born c. 1550), known as Black Taylor of the Axe (Scottish Gaelic ''Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe'') was a famed warrior of the Scottish Highlands during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. Born illegitimate, his father was Ewen Camero ...
, who lived in the
Scottish Highlands Lochaber area ("Cameron country") circa mid 16th century. Others, with no documented connection to Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe or the Clan Cameron, are simply descended from those with an occupational surname meaning tailor. Though Donald's father was XIV Chief of Clan Cameron, Donald, born out of wedlock, could not inherit the title. Nursed by a tailor's wife, Donald received the nickname
''An Taillear Dubh'' (''an'', a diminutive; ''Taillear'', an occupational reference to the caretaker's husband; ''Dubh'', translated as "black" in the context of meaning "swarthy" or "dark tempered") as an infant.
As a young man, Donald became skilled in battle with the
Lochaber axe, and his nickname evolved to ''Taillear Dubh na Tuaighe'' ("Black Taylor of the Axe") because of his fighting prowess. Taylor and his family eventually found safety in
Cowal. There, descendants of his family and followers became known as ''Mac-an-taillear'' ("son of the tailor").
Later history
In the 18th century, ''MacInTaillear'', ''Macintaylor'', ''Taylor'', and ''Tayler'' families were still living on the Cowal peninsula. They referred to themselves as ''Clann an Taillear Dhuibh Chamronaich'' ("Children of the Black Taylor of the Camerons").(Mackenzie, 1875, pages 526-530)
Coat of arms and tartan
The Taylor sept bears the Cameron Clan
coat of arms, a depiction of a "wild man" with a Lochaber axe. Barring actual historical evidence, interpretations vary as to whether the depiction is the likeness of the Taylor sept patriarch, or if it denotes a character attribute and weapon of choice common amongst early Cameron.
In 1955, Lt.Col. Iain B. Cameron Taylor designed the Taylor sept
tartan with double black lines, honoring ''Taillear Dubh'' ("Black Taylor").
See also
*
Taylor (surname)
*
Clan Tailyour
Clan Tailyour,Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 463. also known as Clan Taylor,
References
* Mackenzie, Alexander, Alexander Macgregor, and Alexander Macbain.
The Celtic Magazine'. Inverness: A. and W. Mackenzie, 1875.
{{Scottish clans
Scottish families
Scottish clans
History of the Scottish Highlands
People from Lochaber