McClune History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The ancient Pictish-Scottish family that first used the name McClune lived in the lands of Clunie in Stormont, Perthshire. "This place, which is of remote antiquity, is distinguished as the scene of a battle between the Caledonians and the Romans under Agricola. In a field near the Hill of Gourdie, are still remaining several mounds, in a parallel direction, separated by trenches of equal length, called the "Steeds Stalls;" and here the advanced guard of the Caledonian army was posted to watch the movements of the Roman army, which was encamped on the plains of Inchtuthill, about two miles to the south." 1

Early Origins of the McClune family

The surname McClune was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) where "William de Clonin witnessed a confirmation charter by Alexander II to the Abbey of Arbroath c. 1214-1218. The ward of Eugene de Cluny is referred to in 1263. William de Cluny of Perthshire rendered homage in 1296, and appears again on an inquest at Perth in 1304. Another William de Cluny, chaunteur of Breghyn in the county of Strivelyn, also rendered homage in that year and is mentioned again in 1305 as Sir William de Clony, chaplain to the bishop of Brechin. Adam Cluny of Fifeshire also rendered homage in 1296, and John de Cloni or de Cloney of Fife was one of the Scots prisoners taken at Dunbar Castle in the same year." 2

The mentions of "rendered homage" in the preceding paragraph refers to King Edward I of England's intrusion into Scotland.

Cluny is a parish in the district of Kincardine O'Neil, county of Aberdeen "The name of this place, signifying, in Gaelic, meadows interspersed with rising grounds, is descriptive of the appearance of the locality." 1

Early History of the McClune family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McClune research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1214, 1296, 1616, 1686, 1757, 1784, 1787, 1790, 1791 and 1819 are included under the topic Early McClune History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McClune Spelling Variations

The arts of spelling and translation were yet in their infancies when surnames began, so there are an enormous number of spelling variations of the names in early Scottish records. This is a particular problem with Scottish names because of the numerous times a name might have been loosely translated to English from Gaelic and back. McClune has been spelled Clunie, Clooney, Cloon, Cloone, Clowney, Clune, Cluney, Clunis and many more.

Early Notables of the McClune family

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was John Clunie (1757?-1819), "the supposed author of the beautiful Scotch [(Scottish)] song 'I lo'e na a laddie but ane,' born about 1757. He was educated for the church of Scotland, and licensed by the presbytery of Edinburgh on 29 Dec. 1784. He then became schoolmaster at Narkinch, Fifeshire, and possessing a fine voice and some musical skill acted as precentor in the parish church. In 1790 he was presented by the Duke of Buccleuch to the parish of Ewes, Dumfriesshire, and...
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McClune Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McClune migration to the United States +

This oppression forced many Scots to leave their homelands. Most of these chose North America as their destination. Although the journey left many sick and poor, these immigrants were welcomed the hardy with great opportunity. Many of these settlers stood up for their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. More recently, Scots abroad have recovered much of their collective heritage through highland games and other patriotic functions and groups. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has located various settlers bearing the name McClune:

McClune Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Lizzie McClune, aged 23, who landed in America, in 1892
James McClune, aged 25, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
Mary McClune, aged 35, who settled in America, in 1895
Saml. McClune, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Carrickmacross, in 1896

McClune Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

John McClune, aged 36, who settled in America, in 1903
Malcolm McClune, aged 5, who immigrated to the United States from Belfast, Ireland, in 1907
Samuel McClune, aged 33, who landed in America from Coventry, England, in 1907
James McClune, aged 19, who landed in America from Belfast, Ireland, in 1907
Annie McClune, aged 15, who immigrated to America from Belfast, Ireland, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McClune migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McClune Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Joseph McClune, (b. 1839), aged 35, Irish farm labourer from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 3
Mrs. Mary McClune, (b. 1840), aged 34, Irish settler from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 3
Mr. John McClune, (b. 1864), aged 10, Irish settler from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 3
Mr. John McClune, (b. 1839), aged 35, Irish farm labourer from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 3
Mrs. Margaret McClune, (b. 1840), aged 34, Irish settler from County Down travelling from London aboard the ship "Tweed" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 4th September 1874 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McClune (post 1700) +

Mr. McClune (b. 1922), American actor, known for The Light in the Dark
Michael McClune (b. 1989), American professional tennis player who signed a lucrative contract with Nike in 2007

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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)
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html