McLean explained

McLean
Meaning:Son of Gillean
Region:Scotland
Language:Gaelic
Alternative Spelling:Maclean
Shortform:M'Lean
Variant Forms:MacLean
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.

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

MacLean

McClean

Maclean Feudal Barons in Scotland

Maclean Life Peers

Fictional characters

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mclean Name Meaning & Mclean Family History . Ancestry . 12 December 2019 . 13 June 2022. Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press.
  2. Web site: McLean Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms . HouseOfNames . 12 March 2021 . 13 June 2022.
  3. Web site: Blood and Guts, Spartans of the North . McLean Scotland . 7 January 2019 . 13 June 2022.
  4. Web site: Welcome from Sir Lachlan . Clan Maclean . 13 June 2022.