MacLean Surname

Found this on the web ....

This notable surname, with spellings of MacLean, Maclean, MacLaine, McLean, Mccleane, McLane, and others, is widely recorded in Scotland and Ireland. It is a developed form of the Old Gaelic name "Mac gille Eoin", which translates as "the son of the devotee of (St) John", from "Mac", meaning son of, and "gille", literally translating as servant or follower", but used here in the transferred sense of devotee, and the saint's name "Eoin or Ian", the classic Gaelic form of John. John derives ultimately from the Hebrew Yochanan, meaing "Jehovah has favoured me (with a son)". In Gaelic manuscripts dated 1467, the surname is spelt as Gilleain, and in the M'Vurich manuscripts as "Giolla-eoin": In the modern spelling the l is now all that remains of the fused "gille". Early examples of the surname recording include John and Neil, the sons of Gilhon, who were mentioned in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1326. Further early recordings include: Nigel M'Gillon, the custodian of the castle of Scragburgh in 1329, and Walter Malynne, the abbot of Glenluce, from 1517 to 1545. The Macleans connection with Ireland began with their employment by the MacDonnels of Ulster as gallowglasses or mercenary soldiers in the 16th Century. Notable bearers of the name were John Maclean, the son of the laird of Dowart, who was ennobled by Queen Christina of Sweden in 1649, Sir John Maclean (1811 - 1895), archaeologist, and keeper of ordnance records in the Tower of London, 1855 - 1861, and Sir Donald McLean, 1820 - 1877, the first minister and statesman of New Zealand. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Donald M'Gilhon, whose ship made a circuit of "le Mole" later called Mull, in 1327. This was during the reign of King Robert 1st of Scotland, known as "The Bruce", 1306 - 1329.

Source: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/McLean#ixzz3gjbMoElb

For those interested in the history of Clan MacLean there is an online book located here:

https://archive.org/details/historyofclanmac00macluoft

Scottish roots

Dad always told us we were 1/32 Scottish on our Irish side.  After doing much research on the subject, he may have been correct.  Our Scottish roots can be traced to our 3rd great grandmother, Mary McLean.  Whether we are 1/32 (or less) Scottish is up for debate, however there is little doubt that we are Scots.

The 1850 and 1870 census list Mary McLean Burgess as being born around 1802 in Ireland.  However, several items lead us to believe that Mary was of Scottish descent, my father's recollection not being the least of these.  An article written about Mary's son Anthony Battle (our 2nd great grandfather) mentions that he was of Irish-Scotch ancestry (see below). Lastly, Clan MacLean is a well documented Scottish clan with its roots on the Island of Mull in the Inner Hebrides off the coast of Scotland.

Here is what we know for sure.  Clan MacLean can trace their roots back to a Scottish warlord named Gillean of the Battle Axe.   Gillean established Clan MacLean in the 13th century although Gillean's ancestry is documented back to his great-grandfather known as Old Dugald of Scone, born ca. 1050 during the reign of King Macbeth.  The Clan rose to prominence and by the 15th century they owned the isles Mull, Tiree, Islay, Jura, Knapdale as well as Morvern in Argyll and Lochaber in mainland Scotland.  Duart Castle on Mull (see photo below) is the traditional home of the MacLeans, but by the 18th century (after the Jacobite rebellion) the clan had lost its power and the castle fell to ruin.

The castle was reclaimed in 1911 and is again home to Clan MacLean although the clan is now scattered to all corners of the globe.

We do not know exactly why or when Mary McLean's ancestors left Scotland, but it must have been the generation or two before Mary otherwise the Scotch ancestry would not have survived in family lore. One possible reason for our ancestors leaving Scotland may have been the Highland Clearances.  With their power and lands taken from them, the MacLeans became tenants to others.  The first clearance of the highlands began at the end of the 18th century.  People were moved out so that sheep, which was more profitable, could be moved in. Was this when our family left for Ireland?

We also do not know from where they left Scotland (Island of Mull or elsewhere?) or if they went directly to County Mayo or how they got there (by boat?).  One possibility is that they left the Inner Hebrides and sailed directly to County Mayo (see below).  One can only speculate.  The only thing that is known for sure is that we are Scottish (at least a little).