My mother’s father was Scots-Irish, though born in Kentucky. Her mother was German, the daughter of a piano teacher. My father’s parents were both Russian/Polish Jews.
wonders why a set of The Long Highland, Für Elise, and Tumbalalaika keeps swirling in her imagination
Carol
Scots-Irish on my mother’s side, Whinnery. It’s a Borders name, if I understand correctly, probably of English beginnings (is that why I find no clan or sept info on the name?).
One wedding reception I played at (an American woman marriying into a family of Glaswegian lawyers: talk amongst yourselves 
), one of the visiting Scottish in-laws asked if I was Irish (we played as much Scots music as we could, but they were happy all in all), and I said I was part Scots-Irish. He replied, “Ah, Scotch-Irish.” To which I replied, “Yes, Scots-Irish.” To which he replied, “Yes, Scotch-Irish.” Evidently the denizens of Glaschú are more contrary than I realised.
I think of myself as of Scottish ancestry, though in truth at least as many of my ancestors probably came from England. The Scottish connection is from my paternal grandmother (Burns), and it happens that that is the only branch of the family tree we can tract all the way back across the pond. My great, great …(I lose track) grandfather, known as Grandsir Burns, came Ayrshire, Scotland, fought in the Revolutionary war (during which he wrote some really awful poetry), then settled first in Kentucky and later in Illinois.
This heritage led me want to to learn a bit about “Celtic” music (a term I rarely use anymore). But I ended up learning more about and becoming more interested in the music of Ireland than of Scotland. So I sort of adopted the traditional music of Ireland.
I hope the real Irish don’t mind.
–Jay
Clans were a Highland thing as were things like pipes and kilts. It’s quite likely William Wallace (aka braveheart a la Mel Gibson) never wore a kilt (he was born near Paisley and didn’t live in the Highlands). In the 19th century some Lowland and Borders families adopted some Highland customs like kilts and tartans and it was only then that many clans actually had an official Clan tartan. So even if your family did have Scottish connections to the Borders they may not actually be part of a Clan.
Cheers,
Aaron
I’m Scotch-Irish too LimuHead. The term “Scotch-Irish” was given to the Scottish border clans that were “banished” to northern Ireland for unruly behavior(Jackobites).
The English wished to place a “wedge” between themselves and the angry Irish, and in this way they set 2 of their adversaries to fight each other while they sat back and watched. My ancestor John Hastie left northern Ireland to fight with the American colonists as a Teamster in the French and Indian War around 1756. He was later granted 100 acres of land in St Steven New, Brunzwick
My clans are Clan Hay(Earl of Tweedale) and Clan Graham(Mentieth) and are affiliated through marriage to clans in the Lanark area as well. I can also proudly claim that My family, The Hastie’s, were the Hereditary Pipers of Jedburgh for 300 years, begining with the original Piper, John Hastie, suvivor of the Battle at Flooden Field in 1513.
Glad to see so many Scotsman proud of thier heritage!
Thomas Hastay.
Someday I hope to move back there…the pipes, the pipes are calling!
Hi,
I am Scots/Irish on my mothers side, my great grandfather came over from his last name was cochran. I read that they were from the lowlands.
My fathers family is French Canadian-Ay! Jon
Hi,
I’m 1/4 Scottish and 1/4 Irish. My Scottish comes from my grandpa who was from Inverness. You know where the Loch Ness monster lives. 
I grew up doing Scottish Highland dancing even know I live in the USA because my grandpa wanted me to. I actually liked faster music that was more jig like than the bagpipes (though they do hold a special place in my heart) and when I went to one of the Highland games around here I was introduced to “Cape Breton stepdancing”. I knew right then I was hooked!!! I have no clue how to play a fiddle so the best I can do is to learn the tin whistle I picked up in Ireland on my honeymoon and try to sound like Jethro Tull. haha As far as the dancing is concerned I am in the process of trying to learn it from a video since the ONLY teacher that taught around here isn’t here anymore. I can’t wait to see if I can find some “scottish jig” tunes for the tin whistle since the Cape Breton style is supposed to be of Scottish origin and it feels weird to dance Scottish steps (hee /toe v.s. toe/heel) to Irish tunes.
Check this site out.
http://www.pictland.freeserve.co.uk/downloads.htm
http://www.pictland.freeserve.co.uk
A lot of Scottish families moved to Ireland, and then a generation or two later came over to the US. I think that’s what lots of people mean when they say “Scotch-Irish.” Of course, it should be “Scots-Irish” – scotch is a drink, not an adjective.
Steven
Well gee, don’t I feel silly now! I hit the icon that takes you to new posts since your last visit, but didn’t notice that it had put me on page 1 and there was a page 2. So everything I said above is completely redundant, having already been said on page 2. Oh well! :roll:
On the topic, I’m not of particularly Scottish ancestry myself (mostly German), although there is a little bit of Guthrie back there. Not one of your larger or better-known clans. However, when I was in college a friend got me into Scottish country dancing (no, it’s not highland), and I got hooked. Been doing that for over 15 years now, and teaching it for more than 10. I met my wife (and my first wife before that) on the dance floor. It’s through the dancing that I got interested in Celtic music, and from that into whistle.
By the way, jigginatune, you might want to give Scottish country dancing a try. It might just fit some of what you’re looking for. If you tell me where you live, I can probably tell you if there’s a group near you (and there probably is – most people don’t know it, but we’re darn near everywhere!).
Steven
Is that why Scottish Country Dancers are some times called kudzoo? 
Cheers,
Aaron
No, we don’t spread that fast, and we tend not to obliterate everything for miles around. That’s why people don’t know we’re there!
Steven
My maternal grandfather’s last name was Linsley. My family always assumed that it was a derivative of the Lindsay clan name. To embrace our heritage, I even went so far as to learn to play the bagpipes and my Father played the Scottish snare drum (even though he’s Irish/English…he just needed something to do while waiting for me at pipe band practice).
Now that the internet makes geneological research so much easier, I was able to verify that our family name, Linsley, was actually a derivative of Lindley, which is English.
Now what do I do with all the Lindsay tartan junk I’ve collected over the years? I’m sure that I’m a Scot somewhere in the family tree, but have no idea where. My other parts are English, Irish and Norwegian…kinda like a ring-around-Scotland.
The Scotch-Irish: A Social History by James Leyburn is the most-recommended book on this subject. We covered this in a thread called Scots-Irish Music last year with much info. Below are a few facts from it.
The Ulster Scots were English-speaking PROTESTANT Lowlanders (of mixed ethnicities with elements of Scots, English and Norse) recruited as loyalists to run the Ulster Plantations in the 17th century, thereby displacing the native Irish. They were successful at first in cultivating the land and prospered, and were in an ascendancy of Presbyterianism, which greatly increased their educational levels, including farming techniques, building of schools etc.. In Scotland, they had never drained many of the wetlands, lived as tenant farmers, and were frequently uprooted by landlords to keep them in subjugation. Also, the Border areas they lived on had been a battleground for hundreds of years, and skirmishing, cattle-stealing and pillage were hereditary behaviors. Consequently, in Scotland, they had little education (less literacy than the Highlanders, supposedly), few towns and little social organization, other than family associations, which were clans but in different context and cultural attributes than the Highlanders.
After several generations in Ireland, economic conditions (rack-renting by landlords, I think) led to a migration of several hundred thousand of them (often retaining family clans in settlements) to the American Colonies between the years of 1715-1780. Not all were poor, though they were quite distinct and considered as rabble by the Americans. Almost all came through Philadelphia (Boston basically wouldn’t allow em in), colonized parts of Pennsylvania, then mostly pushed south, most famously in Appalachian regions, always seeking or taking cheaper lands. In later years, they pushed West as well, especially through Missouri and on to California (Texas too). They were famous for squatting, never staying put, personal and social violence, rugged individualism and social anarchy contrasted by a tendency toward litigiousness. Many fought in the Rev War, though not even native born, yet were among the first to rebel against the new American govt (Whisky rebellion).
At first they were called Irish and considered themselves as such. But in later generations, as Catholic Irish came to the US, the term SCOTCH-IRISH (yes, with the H) was adopted to distinguish themselves.Its an American term, and Leyburn urged adoption of Ulster Scots, as the most accurate appellation, especially since there was little inter-marriage with the Irish. The term SCOTS-Irish has become more popular in last few decades since people started getting into their heritages here.
These are all arguable generalizations (so don’t start flaming ME), but there is a wealth of annotated info to be had in Leyburn’s book as well as comparative cultural info between them versus New Englanders, Quakers and Virginia cavaliers (all British Isle cultures to America before 1800) in genealogy backgrounder’s Bible, “Albion’s Seed” by David Hackett Fischer.
If you are Scots-Irish, there will be little of kilts, Highland music or Gaelic tongue in recent family history (other than adversarial!), but it always is instructive to learn of this background as its a huge component in American character. And it sure doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all of Scottish culture, as well as the Donegal styles. It is asserted that the Ulster Scots brought the reel to Ireland, though it seems impossible to absolutley prove such a huge musical event as happening via one migration (lots of sea crossing back and forth thru history, including original Scoti from Ireland to Scotland). The Ulster Scots certainly brought the reel to America, where it flourished and changed some. Thomas Jefferson loved to play reels and you see that half of the migration occurred within his lifetime.
“You’ll take my gun when you pry it from my cold dead fingers” is as accurate a Scots-Irish sentiment as I can find in the US.
The Weekender, gggrandson of Margaret Ferguson Langin, of Ulster via NB, Canada.
A lot of Scots, especially in the Islands, are actually descendants of Vikings. Also Scots-Gaelic culture is heavily influenced by Ireland, much of it having come to Scotland from Ireland (the term Scot comes from an Irish tribe). And we don’t need to delve much to see the relationship between Scotland and England. So even though you don’t need to justify your interest and participation in Scottish and Irish culture, there you have it.
I’d sell all of the Clan Lindsey stuff on eBay and spend the money on whatever piping, whistle, or flute stuff you wish.
Cheers,
Aaron
Now taking bids on a wonderful set of Lindsay dish towels!
Hey Aaron, you’ll never guess where I’m going this summer…Mott!! My wife’s Grandmother always says, ‘Mott’s the spot that God forgot’ Too bad we’ll only be there for two days, or else you could hook me up with a swingin’ session!!
I was born in Scotland…simple as that.
Trisha
Mott! That’s wild! I’m always amazed at how many people know somebody or have a relative from North Dakota. That’s partially because so many people leave.
Two days is a small amount of time to throw a session together. Enjoy the sky when you get here; it’s the most beautiful part of the state. It sounds silly that the most beautiful part of North Dakota isn’t really part of the state but it’s true.
Cheers,
Aaron
They supplied at least one US president - Andrew Jackson, of “Battle of New Orleans” fame. (Though might be something to live down, not be proud of - he lived up to all the negative stereotypes in Week’s post. History has dealt with him much more kindly than he deserved.)
And yes, I am (partly, and way back) of Scots-Irish descent myself. Though I’d never call myself “Scottish” or “Irish” either - “Heinz 57” is probably more like it. 