McLean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland-Alt 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the McLean family were born. Their name comes 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 McLean family

The surname McLean 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 McLean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McLean 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 McLean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McLean Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. McLean has been spelled MacLean, MacLaine, MacLane, MacLeane, MacClean, MacClain, MacClaine, MacGhille Eoin (Gaelic) and many more.

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

Migration of the McLean family to Ireland

Some of the McLean 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.


McLean migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first McLeans to arrive on North American shores:

McLean Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
McLean Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
McLean Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

McLean migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McLean Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
McLean Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

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

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:

McLean Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name McLean (post 1700) +


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


Suggested Readings for the name McLean +
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