The surname SCOTT (my mother's maiden name) is English and Scottish. It is an ethnic name with local origin and denotes someone from Scotland or more commonly for a Gaelic-speaker within Scotland. It is today one of the most numerous British names in Ireland, especially in Ulster and Dublin. The name is derived from the Latin "Scottus", which originally denoted an Irishman, and later a Gael. In England, particularly in the border counties, the term denotes "one from Scotland". It is also said that the name is probably derived from that of the Scotti, a Celtic tribe from northern Ireland that settled in Argyllshire in the middle of the first millennium AD and founded the kingdom of Dalriada.

The Scotts were one of the most powerful of the Riding Clans of the Scottish borders. The Scotts rose to power in the turbulent, often violent region of the English-Scottish Borders, where they proved themselves fierce raiders in battles with neighboring clans.

When the power of the Riding Clan was broken by James XI in the decade after 1603, many fled to Ulster to avoid prosecution. They are descendant from Uchtredus filius Scoti who is mentioned in the inquisition of earl David in 1124. He was also named as a witness in the charter recording in the foundation of Selkirk in 1120. The principal branches of the clan are decended from his sons: Richard founded the Scotts of Buccleuch, while Sir Michael founded the Scotts of Balweary.

Over the years the Scotts acquired many Border territories, and by the mid-15th century they were already established as one of the foremost clans in the area.

Below is a map of the border clans of Scotland. Below you can also view more SCOTT Coat of Arms. Some clans were given more than one. There is also an example of the Scott Tartan. Clans could have many tartans but the Red Scott tartan is probable the most popular among the clan members.