Len History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The Len family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name Len is derived from a devotion to St. John. 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 Len family

The surname Len was first found in the Western Isles where the Clan held extensive lands on almost every island in the Western Hebrides.

Early History of the Len family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Len research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1310, 1320, 1370, 1411, 1500, 1560, 1582, 1604, 1620, 1630, 1645, 1649, 1650, 1651, 1658, 1666, 1670, 1674, 1687, 1716, 1745 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Len History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Len Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Len has been spelled MacLean, MacLaine, MacLane, MacLeane, MacClean, MacClain, MacClaine, MacGhille Eoin (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Len family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Hector MacLean, Lord of Dowart (c.1560-c.1630), Scottish Lord of the Clan MacLean; Francis Cleyn (Clein, Franz Klein) (c. 1582-1658), a painter and tapestry designer; Sir John Maclean, 1st Baronet, (1604-1666); Sir Hector Maclean, 2nd Baronet of Morvern (c.1620-1651), the 18th Clan Chief of Clan Maclean from 1649 to 1651...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Len Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Len family to Ireland

Some of the Len family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 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 Len family

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Len were among those contributors: James Elizabeth, Anne, Daniel, James, Lettice, McLean who were all on record in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767; Duncan McLean, who settled in Boston in 1766.

Contemporary Notables of the name Len (post 1700) +

John Len Chatman (1915-1998), also known as Peter Chatman, American blues pianist, singer, and composer, better known as Memphis Slim
Len Amato, American race car driver from Bound Brook, New Jersey
Len Astill (1916-1990), English former footballer
Len Chandler (1935-2023), born Len Hunt Chandler Jr., an American folk musician from Akron, Ohio
Len Isnor, Canadian police official, Chief of the Ontario Provincial Police's Anti-Biker Enforcement Unit
Len McCaffer, American actor, known for Teenage Warhol (2006), Dark Nature (2009) and The Neighbours (2010)
Len Oliver (1933-2022), American soccer player who played as a half back in the American Soccer League (ASL), inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
Len Sutton (1925-2006), American racecar driver, best known for finishing second at the 1962 Indianapolis 500
Len Talan, American film director of films including: "Statue of Liberty: Building of a Colossus" in 2001 and "Hansel and Gretel" in 1988
Len Thornson (1933-2021), Canadian ice hockey centre, born in Winnipeg, Manitoba

The Len 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: Virtue mine honour
Motto Translation: Virtue is my honour.