The name Ruthven comes from the old Barony of Ruthven in Angus. Ruthvens were Earls of Gowrie at the time of James VI of Scotland. More recently Sir Alexander Hore- Ruthven of Freeland, Governor General of Australia, was created Earl of Gowrie in 1945. The Ruthven tartan was not named until the publication of the book known as the Vestiarium Scoticum in 1842.