Lauchlan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland, made up the ancient Dalriadan kingdom, the ancestral home of the Lauchlan family. Their name comes from the personal name Lachlann. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Lachlainn, denoting the son of Lachlann. Although most feel Lachlan Mor, a great Chief who lived by Loch Fyne in the thirteenth century, is the Clan founder, the legend of descent from the ancient Gaelic King, Niall of the Nine Hostages, who reigned in 400 AD, offers some clues as to the clan's early origins.

Lochlann, in old Gaelic means literally, 'Norway,' and was the favorite Christian name of the royal house of O'Neill in Northern Ireland, a house descended from Niall of the Nine hostages, and said to be the family with the oldest history in Europe. A branch of the O'Neill's took the surname MacLochlain and soon became rival Kings to the O'Neills.

King Brian O'Neill slew the last King Domnall MacLochlainn. His son Anrothan, who was ancestor of the MacLachlans in Scotland, married the daughter of the King of Scots, thereby gaining the inheritance of Cowall and Knapdale in Scotland. Anrothan MacLachlan was progenitor of the MacLachlans of Strathlachlan, the Lamonts, the Lyons, the MacSorleys, the MacEwans, and the MacMillans. It was in the mid-twelfth century that each of these branches separated into distinct entities.

Early Origins of the Lauchlan family

The surname Lauchlan was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where this Clan first settled in Scotland in 1100 when Lachlan was heir of Fergus, Lord of Galloway. In 1238, a charter recorded Lachlan Mor's father increasing the endowment to Paisley Abbey.

When, in 1292, King John Baliol erected Argyll into a sheriffdom, Gillescop MacLachlan was one of the twelve principal barons whose land it encompassed. In 1296, Ewen MacLachlan was forced to swear loyalty to the English King Edward I, but this loyalty was formally changed back to Scotland in 1305, when Gillescop MacLachlan, like his neighbors the Campbells, swore allegiance to Robert the Bruce. Gillescop was a member of the Barons of Bruce's first parliament at St. Andrews, in 1308. 1

King John of England (reigned: 1199-1216) was also known as John Lackland from the Norman French, "Johan sanz Terre" or "John without land."

Early History of the Lauchlan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lauchlan research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1292, 1600 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lauchlan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lauchlan Spelling Variations

Many spelling variations of Lauchlan have been recorded over the years, including These are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. MacLachlan, Lachlan, MacLachlane, McGlothan, McGlothin, MacLauchlan, MacLauchlane, MacLauchlin, MacLaughlin, Lauchlan and many more.

Early Notables of the Lauchlan family

More information is included under the topic Early Lauchlan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lauchlan family to Ireland

Some of the Lauchlan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lauchlan migration to the United States +

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Lauchlan family emigrate to North America:

Lauchlan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Stephen Lauchlan, aged 24, who landed in America from Edinburgh, in 1898

Lauchlan Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John M. Lauchlan, aged 33, who immigrated to the United States from Newcastle, in 1900
Matthew Lauchlan, aged 24, who settled in America from Saltcoats, Scotland, in 1909
Sarah Lauchlan, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States from Airdrie, Scotland, in 1920
Edward Lauchlan, aged 1, who landed in America from Airdrie, Scotland, in 1920
Allan Lauchlan, aged 22, who landed in America from Glasgow, Scotland, in 1923
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Lauchlan (post 1700) +

James Harley "Jim" Lauchlan (b. 1977), Scottish footballer from Glasgow
Doug Lauchlan, Canadian politician, minister and educator from Manitoba
Agnes Lauchlan (1905-1993), English film and television actress from London
Lauchlan Dalgleish (b. 1993), Australian rules footballer

The Lauchlan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortis et fidus
Motto Translation: Brave and trusty.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)