Contents [hide]

McLean History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

McLean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland-Alt
Scotland

Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie is a branch of the Scottish Clan MacLean. The surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Gille Eathain, a patronymic name meaning "son of the servant of Saint John." The Clan is descended from Eachan Reaganach, (brother of Lachlan the progenitor of the Macleans of Duart). These two brothers were both descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, known as 'Gillian of the Battleaxe', a famed warrior of the 5th century. Eachan, or Hector was given the lands of Lochbuie from John, the first Lord of the Isles, some time in the 14th century.

Early Origins of the McLean family

The surname McLean was first found in on the Isle of Mull, an island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland.

Early History of the McLean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McLean research. Another 328 words (23 lines of text) covering the years 1386, 1470, 1538, 1645, 1650 and 1687 are included under the topic Early McLean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McLean Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacLean, MacLain, MacLaine, MacLane, MacLeane, MacClean, MacClain, MacClaine, MacGhille Eoin, Macklin, MacCleane, McKleane, McCleant, McCleind, McCleand, McClaink, McClaing, Cleind, MacClean, McCleen, McCleane, McClean, McClaine, McClain, Macklaim, Leand, Leind, MacClaine, Leane and many more.

Early Notables of the McLean family

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

McLean World Ranking

In the United States, the name McLean is the 668^th most popular surname with an estimated 44,766 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name McLean is ranked the 122^nd most popular surname with an estimated 25,249 people with that name. 2 And in Quebec, Canada, the name McLean is the 903^rd popular surname. 3 Australia ranks McLean as 126^th with 21,269 people. 4 New Zealand ranks McLean as 50^th with 5,309 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks McLean as 336^th with 18,332 people. 6

McLean migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McLean Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Andrew McLean, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 7

McLean Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Catharine McLean, who arrived in New York in 1739 7
Allan McLean, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1740 7
Duncan McLean, who settled in Boston in 1766
James Elizabeth, Anne, Daniel, James, and Lettice McLean who were all on record in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767
Duncan McLean, who arrived in Brunswick, North Carolina in 1767 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLean Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles McLean, who landed in Ohio in 1805 7
Daniel McLean, aged 25, who landed in Rhode Island in 1812 7
Archibald McLean, aged 43, who arrived in North Carolina in 1812 7
James McLean, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1824 7
Jane McLean, who arrived in New York in 1833 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLean migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McLean Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Jennett McLean, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mrs. Elizabeth McLean U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 8
Mr. Finlay McLean U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 8
Mr. Hugh McLean U.E. who settled in Didgeguash, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 8
Mr. John McLean U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLean Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ann McLean, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Isobel McLean, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Janet McLean, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Hugh McLean, settler who arrived in Red River Settlement, Canada in 1811 7
Hector McLean, who arrived in Canada in 1812
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLean migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McLean Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Mary Mclean, Irish convict who was convicted in Monaghan, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. Neil McLean, British Convict who was convicted in Barbados for life, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 10
Donald McLean, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 11
Hugh McLean, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Duncan Mclean, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1828 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McLean 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:

James McLean, aged 29, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" between 1841 and 1850
Katherine McLean, aged 32, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" between 1841 and 1850
Margaret McLean, aged 4, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" between 1841 and 1850
Helen McLean, aged under 1, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Phoebe Dunbar" between 1841 and 1850

McLean Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Archibald McLean, aged 23, a blacksmith, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
Catherine McLean, aged 23, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
Elizabeth McLean, aged 11, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
Archibald McLean, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" in 1842
Mr. Alexander McLean, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Tobago" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th September 1842 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McLean (post 1700) +

John McLean (1878-1955), American Olympian who won a silver medal for 110m hurdles at the 1900 games
Brigadier-General Milton Robbins McLean (1874-1956), American Commanding Officer 161st Field Atillery Regimenty (1923-1925) 14
Malcom Purcell McLean (1913-2001), American entrepreneur, often called "the father of containerization" named "Man of the Century" by the International Maritime Hall of Fame
David McLean (1922-1995), American film and television actor
Edward Beale McLean (1889-1941), American newspaper publisher, Washington Post
Donald McLean Jr. (b. 1945), American singer-songwriter most famous for the 1971 album American Pie
Amzi C. McLean, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Jersey, 1860 15
Alney McLean (1779-1841), American politician, Member of Kentucky State House of Representatives, 1812-13 15
Allan F. McLean Jr., American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in San Salvador, 1945; Vigo, 1945 15
Alexander McLean (d. 1908), American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Illinois, 1876; University of Illinois trustee, 1889-1908 15
... (Another 100 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the McLean family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. John McLean (1877-1914), Australian Second Class Passenger from Australia who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 16

Halifax Explosion

Master Basil W McLean (1913-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Master Harold W. McLean (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Mrs. Winnifred May McLean (1887-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Mr. Malcolm McLean, Scottish Seaman aboard the SS Curaca from Barra, Scotland, United Kingdom who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. William Ernest McLean (1899-1941), Australian Stoker Petty Officer from South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 18

HMS Hood

Mr. Alexander McLean (b. 1920), English Leading Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Alderney, Channel Islands, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Samuel Mclean, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Harold Mclean, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 20

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Walter Mclean, English 1st Class Passenger residing in France going to Liverpool, England, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 21

The McLean 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: Vincere vel mori
Motto Translation: To conquer or die.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1820 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1820
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2013, May 9) Milton McLean. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/McLean/Milton_Robbins/USA.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/