Clan Maclean History

A Concise History of Clan Maclean

The Clan Maclean is one of the oldest Gaelic¹ clans of Scotland, settling primarily in the inner Hebrides and the Western Highlands. The Clan Maclean takes its name from its first chief, Gilleain na Tuaighe.¹ when anglicized means Gillean of the Battle-Axe. Gilleain means the Servant of [St.] John, thus the name Maclean literally means Son of Gillean or Son of the Servant of [St.] John.²

Origins of the Clan Maclean 4^th Century BC — 13^th Century

Although the certainty of ancient origins from which the Clan Maclean descended are lost to history, the clan’s senachies, or historians, have maintained traditional claims of descent from the Dálriadic kindred of Lorn⁶ through Loarn mac Erc.²

A Concise History of Clan Maclean

Origins of the Clan Maclean 4th Century BC — 13th Century

Origins of the Clan Maclean 4^th Century BC — 13^th Century