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3 Celts & Company • "MACLEAN"

Though the name means 'son of a devottee of St. John,' MacLeans claim as legendary ancestor a 5th-century Gillean-na Tuaidhe, i.e. Gillean of the Battle-axe. They may have been transplanted by Malcolm IV from Glen Urquart, as one of the Celtic tribes then rebelling against centralised feudalism. A century later, the 13th, we find them in Mull, strongly established as vassals of Clan Donald, and son one of the most powerful clans behind the Lords of the Isles, as at Harlaw 1411 and until these lords' suppression in 1493 and an ensuing feud with the MacDonalds that lasted till 1498. Their territory ranged from Coll and Tiree to Ardgour on the mainland, though the main families remained MacLeans of Duart (Chief) and MacLaines of Lochbuie, both in Mull. Their Chief fell protecting James IV at Flodden, and with their maxim the MacLeans must never turn backs to a foe, the clan were prominent in all Stewart causes.

Septs: BEATH, BEATON, BEY, BLACK, GILLAN, GILLAND, GILLON, GILZEAN, HUIE, LEAN, MACBAY, MACBEATH, MACBETH, MACBEY, MACBHEATH, MACCLANE, MACCLEAN, MACCORMICK, MACFADYEN, MACFADZEAN, MACFAYDEN, MACFETRIDGE, MACGILLIVRAY, MACGILVRA, MACILDOWIE, MACILDUFF, MACILDUY, MACILVORA, MACLAINE, MACLERGAN, MACPHADDEN, MACRANKIN, MACVAY, MACVEAGH, MACVEY, PADON, PATON, PATTEN, PATTON, PEDEN, RANKEN, RANKINE

"MACLEAN." Scots Kith and Kin and Illustrated Map Revised Second Edition. Edinburgh, SCOT: Clan House, c.1970. p.72,73. Print.

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