Cleelent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The age-old Scottish surname Cleelent was first used by the Strathclyde-Briton people. The Cleelent family lived in Clelland, near Motherwell, Lanarkshire.

Early Origins of the Cleelent family

The surname Cleelent was first found in Lanarkshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Lannraig) a former county in the central Strathclyde region of Scotland, now divided into the Council Areas of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, and the City of Glasgow, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Cleelent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cleelent research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1661, 1674, 1689, 1709, 1723, 1741, 1789 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cleelent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cleelent Spelling Variations

In Medieval times, spelling and translation were not nearly so highly developed as today. They were generally carried out according to the sound and intuition of the bearer. For that reason spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. Cleelent has been spelled Clelland, Cleland, Cleeland and others.

Early Notables of the Cleelent family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Thomas Cleland, gamekeeper to the Marquess of Douglas; and his son, William Cleland (ca.1661-1689), a Scottish poet and soldier. William Cleland (1674?-1741), was a "friend of Pope, of Scotch birth. He studied at Utrecht, served in Spain under...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cleelent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cleelent family to Ireland

Some of the Cleelent family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cleelent family

Unrest, poverty, and persecution caused thousands to look for opportunity and freedom in the North American colonies. The crossing was long, overcrowded, and unsanitary, though, and came only at great expense. Many Strathclyde families settled on the east coast of North America in communities that would form the backbone of what would become the great nations of the United States and Canada. The American War of Independence caused those who remained loyal to England to move north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the 20th century, Strathclyde and other Scottish families across North America began to recover their collective heritage through highland games and Clan societies. Among them: George, and James Cleland, who arrived in Baltimore in 1804; Charles Cleland settled in Boston in 1820; John and Samuel arrived in New York State in 1811..

The Cleelent 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: Non sibi
Motto Translation: Not for himself.