There are several theories as to the origin of the Scottish Rite. As it evolved in France, it dates from about 1754, when a Chapter (College) of Clairemont with seven degrees was founded in Paris. By 1758, the system had become a Rite of 25 degrees known as the Rite of Perfection, whose Grand Regulations were issued in 1762.
In 1761, Stephen Morin was designated to introduce the Rite into the New World. He first established the Rite in Kingston, Jamaica and in San Domingo. On the mainland, Bodies were set up at New Orleans, LA in 1763, at Albany, NY in 1767, at Philadelphia, at Charleston etc.
In 1786, the Grand Constitutions were enacted in an attempt to bring order out of the chaotic condition of the degrees in Europe. It was these Constitutions which brought A.A.S.R. into formal existence, enlarging the number of degrees to 33 — degree as a governing Supreme Council. The Grand Constitutions of 1786 were issued in the name of Frederick the Great of Prussia as titular head of the Rite, but he was suffering from terminal illness at the date they were promulgated and died soon afterwards.
No degree of the Scottish Rite seems to have had its actual origin in Scotland. The term Scottish is the translation of the French écossais in the French titles of some of the degrees of the Rite of Perfection.