'MacDonald', c1935. Tartan is a pattern consisting of horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Originally these were simply different regional checked-cloth patterns, chosen by the wearer's preference without particular reference to propriety. In the mid-nineteenth century, however, many patterns were created and artificially associated with Scottish clans, families, or institutions. Tartans originated in woven wool, but are now made in many other materials in hundreds of patterns. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns. Tartan is often called plaid in North America. Illustration from a book on Scottish tartans, published c1935.