Clan Maclean
Clan Maclean | |||
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Clann 'IllEathain, Clann MhicIllEathain, Na Leathanaich Seat Duart Castle[2] | | ||
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Clan Maclean (
History
Origins of the Clan
There are several different origins for the surname MacLean, however, the clan surname is an
Gillean of the Battleaxe
The founder of the clan was a Scottish warlord descended from the royal Cenél Loairn named Gillean of the Battle Axe .[4][5] There are stories of Gillean being descended from the Fitzgerald dynasty. He was a Judex (judge) and Councillor to King David of Scots.[6] Gillean fought at the Battle of Largs in 1263 during the Scottish-Norwegian War where the Scottish were victorious.[4]
Gillean's son Malise mac Gilleain (from the Gaelic Maoliosa "Servant of Jesus") was thought by some to have taken the name Gillemor in 1263 and is also said to have led his followers at the Battle of Largs in 1263.[6] He wrote his name as "Gillemor Mcilyn ("son of Gillean"), County of Perth" on the third Ragman Rolls of 1296,[6] swearing fealty to Edward I of England.[4]
Gillean's great-great-grandson was Iain Dhu Maclean who settled on the Isle of Mull.[4] One of his sons was Lachainn Lubanach (Lachlan) who was the progenitor of the Macleans of Duart and the other son was Eachainn Reafanach (Hector) who was the progenitor of the Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie.[4] The Macleans of Duart married into the family of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles (chief of Clan Donald).[4] By the end of the 15th century the Macleans owned the isles Mull, Tiree, Islay, Jura, Knapdale as well as Morvern in Argyll and Lochaber in mainland Scotland.[4]
Wars of Scottish Independence
The Clan MacLean are said to have fought in support of Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.[7]
The Early MacLeans at Duart
By the 14th century, the Clan MacLean had become a dominant force in the Western Isles. In about 1364 Lachlan Lùbanach MacLean (1325-1405) of Duart, 5th Chief, solidified the MacLean alliance with the Macdonalds through marriage. His bride, Mary Macdonald, was not only the daughter of John Macdonald, first Lord of the Isles, but also the granddaughter of Robert II, King of Scots. The families were close enough related that the approval of the church was sought. The papal dispensation issued by Pope Urban V on 3 May of 1367 approving the already consummated marriage is the first mention of a MacLean in any official records.. The papal dispensation blessed the marriage retroactively as insurance that it could not be annulled for political purposes. Mary's marriage dowry included Duart Castle and much of Mull. Lachlan Lùbanach also was granted the hereditary position of Lieutenant-General of the Isles. He was recognized as the superior MacLean on Mull by the Lord of the Isles. Hector (1328-1407), his younger brother, was in the late 1300s given Lochbuie by the Lord of the Isles.[8]
Fifteenth century and clan conflicts
During the 14th and 15th century many battles were fought between the Clan Maclean and Clan Mackinnon.[9]
Battle of Harlaw
In 1411, Clan MacLean fought with Donald Macdonald, Lord of the Isles, to claim the earldom of Ross, which was his by right of his wife, Mariota Leslie, countess of Ross. Robert Stewart, the ambitious the Duke of Albany, had denied Donald's claim because he wanted Ross for himself. (The young King of Scots, James I, was being held prisoner of the English king, Henry IV, and Albany did nothing to seek his release.) The Battle of Harlaw took place near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire on 24 July 1411 against a mounted army of knights led by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar. The MacLeans were led by Hector Roy Maclean, "Red Hector of the Battles", the 6th Chief, and nephew of Donald Macdonald. Hector commanded the right flank of Donald Macdonald's army. Hector engaged in single combat with the chief of Clan Irvine, Sir Alexander Irvine.[4] After a legendary struggle both died of the wounds inflicted upon each other.[4][6]
Origins of the Macleans of the North
Tearlach [Charles] Maclean, eldest son of Hector Maclean, 1st of Lochbuie, brother of Lachlan Maclean, 1st of Duart. Tearlach was part of the vanguard but following this battle, he sought protection within the Clan Chattan Federation. His son Hector subsequently married a daughter of the Chief of the Mackintoshes. Despite the active support of Clan Chattan, these Macleans lost ownership of Urquhart Castle by 1509, and settled nearby at Dochgarroch, though they still managed to lease much of Urquhart. In 1609 Alexander Maclean of Dochgarroch signed the Clan Chattan Bond.[10]
Battle of Corpach
The Battle of Corpach took place in 1439. It was fought between the Clan Maclean and the Clan Cameron.[11]
Battle of Bloody Bay
In 1484 the Clan MacLean fought at the Battle of Bloody Bay on the side of the Lord of the Isles, chief of Clan Donald.[6]
In 1493 the Lordship of the Isles was abolished and Duart and Lochbuie MacLeans held their lands by charter directly from the king, thus Lochbuie became a clan independent of Duart.[8]
Sixteenth century and the Anglo-Scottish Wars
In 1513 during the
The rising power of the
The
One thing that did unite the Macleans and the Campbells was their Protestant faith as well as their dislike for the MacDonalds.
Sir Lachlan Mor MacLean
The
Seventeenth century and Civil War
On 3 September 1631
In 1647 the MacLean's Duart Castle was attacked and laid siege to by the Argyll government troops of Clan Campbell, but they were defeated and driven off by the royalist troops of Clan Maclean. The Battle of Inverkeithing took place in 1651 where Sir Hector Maclean, 18th chief was killed.[4][6]
Archibald Campbell the 9th Earl, son of the Marquess of Argyll, invaded the Clan Maclean lands on the
Eighteenth century and the Jacobite risings
The Clan Maclean supported the
After the defeat of the Jacobites, the Macleans then served Great Britain with distinction.
Allan Maclean of Torloisk fought at the Battle of Culloden. He later commanded the 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants) in the Battle of Quebec.
Allan McLane served in the American Revolution.
Castles
Castles that have been held by the Clan Maclean have included amongst others:
- Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull is the historic seat of the chiefs of the Clan Maclean.[2] The castle is perched on a rock guarding the Sound of Mull.[2] Dating from the thirteenth century it consists of a strong curtain wall as well as a substantial tower or keep that was added in about 1390.[2] There are also later ranges that were built within the courtyard.[2] Duart Castle was abandoned after the Jacobite rising of 1745 and it then became derelict and roofless.[2] However, in 1911 it was acquired by Sir Fitzroy Maclean, 10th Baronet, chief of Clan Maclean who restored it.[2] The castle is still owned by the Macleans of Duart although they now live in Perthshire.[2] The castle is open to the public in the summer.[2] The exterior of Duart Castle was used in the film "Entrapment" with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sean Connery, whose mother, Euphemia McBain "Effie" – née McLean – was a Maclean.[16]
- Ardgour House, built in 1765, lies on the shores of Loch Linnhe on land wreasted from the McMasters in the 1430's. The first Maclean of Ardgour, ‘Strong Donald the Hunter’, was the son of the 7th Chief of Clan Maclean from Duart on Mull.[17] Ewan Maclean, 2nd of Ardgour was killed at the Battle of Bloody Bay in about 1482.[2] They followed James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose, but Allen, the seventh lord was pardoned.[2] The Ardgour Macleans did not take part in the Jacobite risings and now live at Salachan at Ardgour.[2] Sold by the Macleans in 1996, Ardgour House is currently let as self-catering accommodation[18]
- Aros Castle on the Isle of Mull, Argyll was originally built by the Clan MacDougall, was then held by the Clan Donald, Lord of the Isles before passing to the Macleans after 1493.[2]
- Aros Castle, Glengarrisdale, on the island of Jura, was held by the Macleans who came into possession of the north part of Jura.[2] The southern part of Jura was originally held by the MacDonalds but by 1620 had passed to the Clan Campbell who complained that they were being harassed by the Macleans.[2] This resulted in a battle in 1647 when the Campbells surprised the Macleans at Glen Garrisdale and killed many of them.[2] There is a tradition that the severed head and two limb bones of one of the Macleans adorned a cairn near MacLean's Skull Cave.[2] The castle was still in use when in 1690 the Campbell constable took action against the Macleans who had not taken the Oath of Allegiance to William of Orange.[2]
- Covenanter General, David Leslie, 1st Lord Newark, and in the 1650s many of the books and records that had been rescued from Iona were destroyed in a siege by Oliver Cromwell's forces.[2] The castle held out against attacks by the Campbells in 1679 but was surrendered in 1692.[2] The castle was garrisoned during both the Jacobite rising of 1715 and 1745.[2]
- Caisteal nan Con, (castle of dogs) near Lochaline, was held by the MacLeans of Duart and is said to have been used as a hunting lodge by those occupying Aros Castle.[2]
- Caisteal nan Con, Isle of Torsa, originally held by the Campbells, then the MacDougalls and then the Macleans.[2] It was probably also a hunting lodge.[2]
- Castle Loch Heylipol, Tiree, was originally held by the MacDonalds and then by the Macleans, who were besieged in it by the Campbells in 1678–79.[2]
- Castle Spioradain, near Inverness, site of a castle formerly on an island that was held by the Macleans of Dochgarroch in around 1420.[2] The name means castle of spirits and the story goes that during a feud between the Macleans and the Clan Cameron, several Camerons were executed and their bodies were hung from the walls.[2] The ghosts of the dead are said to have terrorised the castle and the area.[2] The site was destroyed when the Caledonian Canal was built and human bones were found.[2]
- Dochgarroch, near Inverness, site of a castle held from the sixteenth century by the Macleans who were known as the Clan Tearlach and who were allied to the Chattan Confederation.[2] This clan of Macleans fought as Jacobites at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 and the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715.[2] This line now live near Glen Urquhart and also near Edinburgh.[2]
- Drimnin Castle, near Lochline, Highland, site of a castle held by the Macleans of Coll in the sixteenth century, but was demolished in the 1830s.[2] Maclean of Drimin led the clan during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and he was killed at the Battle of Culloden.[2]
- Dun Chonnuill Castle, on one of the Garvellachs, Argyll, is a ruinous castle that was originally held by the MacDougalls, then the MacDonalds and then by the Macleans who now live at Strachur House in Argyll and are hereditary keepers and captains of Dunconnel.[2]
- Eilean Amalaig Castle, Isle of Mull, is where the Macleans of Duart marshaled their birlinns or galleys.[2]
- Glensanda Castle, near Lochaline is a ruinous castle that was originally held by the MacMasters but passed to the Macleans in the fifteenth century.[2]
- Gorm Castle or Loch Gorm Castle on the Isle of Islay was originally held by the MacDonalds and then briefly by the Macleans.[2] The castle and island later passed to the Campbells and was still in use in 1745, but is now very ruinous.[2]
- Kinlochaline Castle, near Lochaline, was originally held by the Clan MacInnes but passed to the Macleans after the MacInnes chief was murdered along with his sons by the Clan Mackinnon.[2]
- Tarbert Castle, Tarbert, Argyll and Bute, although a royal castle the lands were held by the Clan MacAlister and then by the Macleans.[2]
- Torloisk House, on the Isle of Mull, Argyll was held by the Macleans of Torloisk.[2]
Clan Chiefs
Chief
- Baronet of Morvern.[19]
Chieftains
- Robin Maclean of Ardgour
- The Very Rev Canon Allan M. Maclean of Dochgarroch
- Sir Charles Edward Maclean of Dunconnel Bt, 2nd Baronet of Strachur and Glensluain, Baron Strachur, and 16th Hereditary Keeper and Captain of Dunconnel in the Isles of The Sea
- Nicolas Maclean of Pennycross
- Richard Compton Maclean of Torloisk
- Malcolm Fraser Maclean of Kingairloch
Septs
Septs are family names associated with a particular clan. Other family names associated with the clan include Auchaneson, Beath, Beaton, Black, Clanachan, Dowart, Dowie, Duart, Duie, Garvie, Gillan, Gillon, Gilzean, Hoey, Huie, Lane, Lean, Leitch, MacBeath, MacBeth, MacBheath, MacCormick, MacEachan, Macfadin, MacFadyen, Macfadzean, Macfergan, Macgeachan, MacGilvra, Macildowie, Macilduy, Macilvera, MacKlin, MacLergain, Maclergan, MacPhaiden, MacRankin, MacVeagh, MacVey, Paden, Patten, Rankin, and Rankine.[20]
Clan profile
Symbols
Members of Clan Maclean show their allegiance to their clan and their chief by wearing a
Long before crest badges were used by members of clans, it is said that plants were used as badges. These clan badges consisted of plants and were worn in bonnets in addition to being used as a banner and attached to a pole or spear. The clan badge attributed to Clan Maclean is
There are two slogans attributed to Clan Maclean. Slogans, are sometimes said to be war cries, other times they are said to be rallying points for the clan. Slogans used by clans generally appear as a second motto within the chiefs arms. Slogans of Clan Maclean include: Bàs no Beatha (from Scottish Gaelic: "Death or life") and Fear eile airson Eachann (from Scottish Gaelic: "Another for Hector").[23][24]
Maclean Arms
MacLean
of Duart |
Macklean
Baron (Sweden) |
MacLean
of Denboig |
MacLean
of Coll |
See also
- Maclean baronets
- Notable Macleans
- Ardgour
- Duart Castle
- Irish nobility
Notes and references
- docx). Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-899874-36-1.
- ^ "McLean Name Meaning and History". Ancestry.com (ancestry.com). Retrieved 28 June 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 238–239.
- ^ Gillean na Tuaighe in Scottish Gaelic and it is pronounced Gillane not Gill-ee-un.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Clan Gillean (The Macleans), Edited by James Noel Mackenzie Maclean. F.S.A (Scot), F.R.Econ.S. Foreword by Fitzroy Maclean C.B.E, M.P. Published by the Clan Maclean Association, London and District Branch.
- ^ Battle of Bannockburn britishbattles.com. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
- ^ a b Collins, Ronald W., The Genealogy of the Clan MacLean
- ^ "Clan [email protected]".
- ^ "Clan Maclean".
- ^ The Battle of Corpach clan-cameron.org. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
- ^ Guthrie, William (1767). A General History of Scotland. Vol. 4. Paternoster Row, London: A. Hamilton, Robinson and Roberts. pp. 371-373. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ a b 'Conflicts of the Clans' published in 1764 by the Foulis press, written from a manuscript wrote in the reign of James VI of Scotland.
- ^ "Conflicts of the Clans: Troubles in the Western Isles in the Year 1586". Electric Scotland. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
- W. & A.K. Johnston. p. 26. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
- ^ "Thomas Sean Connery". geni.com. 16 December 2023.
- ^ "A History of Ardgour Estate and the Maclean Family". Ardgour Estate. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Ardgour House". ardgour-holidays. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Welcome from Sir Lachlan Maclean". Clan Maclean. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Clan Maclean – Welcome from Sir Lachlan".
- ^ Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 212.
- ^ Adam; Innes of Learney (1970), pp. 541–543.
- ^ Adam; Innes of Learney (1970), pp. 545–546.
- ^ "Another for Hector"
In the battle of Inverkeithing, between the Royalists and Oliver Cromwell's troops, five hundred of the followers of the Laird of M'Lean were left dead on the field. In the heat of the conflict, seven brothers of the clan sacrificed their lives in defence of their leader, Sir Hector Maclean. Being hard pressed by the enemy, he was supported and covered from their attacks by these intrepid men; and as one brother fell, another came up in succession to cover him, crying "Another for Hector." This phrase has continued ever since as a proverb or watch-word when a man encounters any sudden danger that requires instant succour.
— David Stewart (3rd edition 1825), Sketches of The Character, Manners, and Present State of the Highlanders of Scotland; with details of The Military Service of The Highland Regiments, Chapter 3
- ISBN 0-00-472501-8.
- OCLC 286413.