A Beginner’s Guide for Curious Americans
Your aunt says you’re Scottish.
Your cousin swears your great-great-grandpa wore a kilt.
You love whisky and cried during Braveheart.
And now you’re wondering: “Am I actually Scottish?”
I’ve written this guide for all the Americans (and Canadians, Australians, and worldwide cousins) out there who’ve heard rumours of Scottish ancestry and are ready to see if the truth lies under their kilt.
Step 1: Take a Breath (and Maybe Don’t Buy a Kilt Just Yet)
Let’s get one thing straight: you don’t need to prove anything to enjoy this process.
You won’t win a prize for being the cousin of Rob Roy You’re here to learn, discover, and maybe untangle a few myths.
Step 2: Gather the Clues You Do Have
Start with what you know, not what you hope.
Ask your family:
“Who told us we were Scottish?”
“Was it from a family diary, a letter, a story, or… someone’s Facebook post?”
“Do we have any names, places, dates?”
Even if you’ve just got a name like “McSporan” it’s a start.
Here’s a quick checklist:
Names with “Mac” or “Mc” (but remember: that includes Irish names too!)
A family story about emigrating from Glasgow, Edinburgh, or “the Highlands somewhere”
A 19th-century immigration date to the U.S., Canada, or Australia
Old documents, photos, or gravestones with Scottish place names
No documents? Don’t worry, you can still work from scratch.
Step 3: Check the Free Records First
You don’t need to subscribe to a fancy site right away.
Try these beginner-friendly (and free) tools:
FamilySearch.org – completely free, global records, and surprisingly helpful
ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk – official Scottish records site (free to search, pay to view)
FindAGrave.com – where I once found a cousin AND an entire generation I was missing
Look for birth, marriage, and census records, especially in the 1800s, if your ancestors came over in the 19th century.
Step 4: DNA – It’s Helpful, But Not Magic
You’ve probably seen the ads: “Find out if you’re 100% Scottish!”
(Or 7%, or 3.2%, or just “Celtic-flavoured.”)
DNA testing can give clues, especially if it matches you with people who have solid Scottish roots. But remember:
Your DNA doesn’t mean you’ll love Irn-Bru.
Ethnicity estimates change over time.
Even if you’re not genetically Scottish, your family stories still matter.
If you do test, I recommend testing with AncestryDNA or MyHeritage for best Scottish match potential. You can then use the results to connect with others and build your tree.
Step 5: Follow the Trail Back Across the Atlantic
If your ancestor was in America by the mid-1800s, the goal is to figure out:
Where in Scotland they came from
When they emigrated
Who they came with (families often travelled in groups)
Look out for place names in census records or naturalisation documents. Many Scots came through ports like New York, Philadelphia, or Boston in the 1800s. Some settled in the Appalachians, the Midwest, or even emigrated to Canada.
Final Thoughts: Yes, You Might Be Scottish – Slàinte mhath
Even if it turns out your “Scottish roots” were actually from County Down or Donegal, or you’re 5% Viking via Shetland …
You’re discovering your kin.
And that’s always worth the effort.
Plus, now you have an excuse to eat haggis (it’s great – honest!) and pretend you know what they’re saying in Gregory’s Girl.