 | |
| Language(s) | Gaelic |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Meaning | Son of Gillean |
| Region of origin | Scotland |
| Other names | |
| Alternative spelling | Maclean |
| 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]
- ^ "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) - ^ a b c "McLean Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms". HouseOfNames. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Blood and Guts, Spartans of the North". McLean Scotland. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "Welcome from Sir Lachlan". Clan Maclean. Retrieved 13 June 2022.