Show ContentsLendon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The sea-swept Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the Lendon family. Their name comes from the Gaelic name Mac Gille Ghionndaig, commonly MacGilliondaig, which means son of the servant of St. Finndag or son of the fair young man. 1 S. Findan was founder of the monastery of Clonard in Belfast Ireland. "Fintan, Fintoc (whence later Fionndoc), are diminutives of Finn, later Florin." 1

Early Origins of the Lendon family

The surname Lendon 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.

One of the first records of the family used an ancient spelling, M'Gillindak who is author of a poem in the Dean of Lismore's Book. "The Maclintocks belong to Luss and thereabouts and in the district of Lorn around Lochaweside from 1500. Duncan Mc gellentak, witness in Balquhidder, 1549. " 1

"MacClinton is a variant of Maclintock, q v., from the form Fintan. William McClintoun was messenger in Kyle in 1569 (RMS.). Finlay Macklintoun appears in the parish of Torphichen in 1676 (Torphichen)." 1

Early History of the Lendon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lendon research. Another 191 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1394, 1611, 1684, 1692, 1693, 1757, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lendon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lendon Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. Lendon has been written as MacClintock, MacLintock, MacLinden, MacAlinden and many more.

Early Notables of the Lendon family

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

Ireland Migration of the Lendon family to Ireland

Some of the Lendon family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 91 words (6 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 Lendon family

Many of the ancestors of Dalriadan families who arrived in North America still live in communities along the east coast of Canada and the United States. In the American War of Independence many of the original settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the ancestors of many Scots began recovering their collective national heritage through Clan societies, highland games, and other patriotic events. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Lendon or a variant listed above: Alexander, Daniel, James, John, Robert, Thomas and William MacClintock all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; Robert MacClintick settled in Philadelphia about 1840.


Contemporary Notables of the name Lendon (post 1700) +

  • Alan Harding Lendon (1903-1973), South Australian surgeon, aviculturist and amateur ornithologist, President of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (1966-1967)


The Lendon 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: Virtute et labore
Motto Translation: By valour and exertion.


  1. 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)


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