McLean

McLean
Language(s)Gaelic
Origin
MeaningSon of Gillean
Region of originScotland
Other names
Alternative spellingMaclean
Variant form(s)MacLean
Short form(s)M'Lean
Related names

MacLean, also spelt Maclean and McLean, is a Scottish Gaelic surname (Mac Gille Eathain, or, Mac Giolla Eóin in Irish Gaelic), Eóin being a Gaelic form of Johannes (John). The clan surname is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic "Mac Gille Eathain", a patronymic meaning "son of Gillean". Gillean means "the Servant of [Saint] John [the Baptist]"),[1] named for Gilleathain na Tuaidh, known as "Gillian of the Battleaxe", a famous 5th century warrior.[2]

Eachan Reaganach and his brother Lachlan were descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, and are the progenitors of the clan. The family grew very powerful throughout the Hebrides and Highlands[2] through alliances with the Catholic Church in Scotland in the 9th century, the MacDonalds in the 13th century, and the MacKays and MacLeods in the 16th century.[3] Other spellings of the name include McClean, MacLaine, McLaine, McLain, MacLane, and many others.[2]

Duart Castle is the seat of Clan MacLean.[4]

  1. ^ "Mclean Name Meaning & Mclean Family History". Ancestry. Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. ^ a b c "McLean Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". HouseOfNames. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Blood and Guts, Spartans of the North". McLean Scotland. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Welcome from Sir Lachlan". Clan Maclean. Retrieved 13 June 2022.