| ![Show Contents]() McLear History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Scotland Ireland In the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the McLear family were born. Their name comes from the Gaelic word Mac-Giolla-Uidhir, which literally means son of the pale youth or son of Odhar's servant. 1 Early Origins of the McLear familyThe surname McLear was first found in Ayrshire and Galloway, where John McLur and Robert McLure were first listed as followers of the Earl of Casilis in 1526. A few years later in 1532, Tomas Maklure was sergeant of Assize in Carrick. Interestingly, the earliest evidence of a Clan piper was Robert MacLure who was piper to the chief of the Buchanans in 1600. 1 Early History of the McLear familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McLear research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1660, 1720, 1723, 1729, 1807, 1857, 1873 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McLear History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McLear Spelling VariationsSpelling 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. McLear has been spelled MacClure, MacLure, MacCloor, McLeur, McCloor and others. Early Notables of the McLear familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was J. Cluer, an engraver and publisher of music, who carried on business in Bow Churchyard, London, in the middle of the first...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McLear Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the McLear family to Ireland
Some of the McLear family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 139 words (10 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| McLear 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 McLears to arrive on North American shores:
McLear Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- McLear, aged 42, who landed in America, in 1892
- McLear, aged 55, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
McLear Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- John McLear, aged 21, who landed in America from Glasgow, in 1906
- Marion McLear, aged 15, who settled in America from Glasgow, in 1906
- Wm. McLear, aged 23, who landed in America from Glasgow, in 1906
- Kathleen McLear, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States from Hansptead, England, in 1914
- Archibald McLear, aged 37, who landed in America from Maryhill, Scotland, in 1914
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name McLear (post 1700) | + |
- Theodore J. McLear (1879-1958), American silver medalist wrestler at the 1904 Summer Olympics
- Lewis McLear (b. 1996), Scottish professional footballer
- James Laurence "Jim" McLear (1896-1968), Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in 1919
- George McLear (1891-1950), Australian rules footballer who played with Richmond in 1914
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: Spectemur agendo
Motto Translation: Let us be judged by our actions.
- 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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McLear migration to the United States 
