MacLean

3 Celts & Company • "MACLEAN"

Though the name means 'son of a devottee of St. John,' MacLeans claim as legendary ancestor a 5th-century Gillean-na Tuaidhe, i.e. Gillean of the Battle-axe. They may have been transplanted by Malcolm IV from Glen Urquart, as one of the Celtic tribes then rebelling against centralized feudalism. A century later, the 13th, we find them in Mull, strongly established as vassals of Clan Donald, and son one of the most powerful clans behind the Lords of the Isles, as at Harlaw 1411 and until these lords' suppression in 1493 and an ensuing feud with the MacDonalds that lasted till 1498. Their territory ranged from Coll and Tiree to Ardgour on the mainland, though the main families remained MacLeans of Duart (Chief) and MacLaines of Lochbuie, both in Mull. Their Chief fell protecting James IV at Flodden, and with their maxim the MacLeans must never turn backs to a foe, the clan were prominent in all Stewart causes.

Septs: BEATH, BEATON, BEY, BLACK, GILLAN, GILLAND, GILLON, GILZEAN, HUIE, LEAN, MACBAY, MACBEATH, MACBETH, MACBEY, MACBHEATH, MACCLANE, MACCLEAN, MACCORMICK, MACFADYEN, MACFADZEAN, MACFAYDEN, MACFETRIDGE, MACGILLIVRAY, MACGILVRA, MACILDOWIE, MACILDUFF, MACILDUY, MACILVORA, MACLAINE, MACLERGAN, MACPHADDEN, MACRANKIN, MACVAY, MACVEAGH, MACVEY, PADON, PATON, PATTEN, PATTON, PEDEN, RANKEN, RANKINE

"MACLEAN." Scots Kith and Kin and Illustrated Map Revised Second Edition. Edinburgh, SCOT: Clan House, c.1970. p.72,73. Print.

keywords[x] tartan, wool, kilts, MacLean, clan, septs

MacLeod of Harris

3 Celts & Company • "MACLEOD of Harris"

The MacLeod chiefs claim descent from Leod, nephew of Magnus the 13th-century last of the Norse kings of the Isle of Man; and from Leod's two sons Tormod and Torquill come respectively the Harris and Lewis branches. The bulk of the clan however remains of native Celtic stock. Tormod's grandson Malcolm was awarded a charter of Gleneig territory by David II, and by marriage acquired the clan's large foothold in Skye, with its famed fortress of Dunvegan as the Chief's seat. Harris was held by MacLeods as vassals to Clan Donald until the Lords of the Isles were forfeited. Thereafter clear of that entanglement, they aided the MacLeans against MacDonalds. At Worchester in 1651, the clan lost so many men for Charles II that the other clans agreed to exonerate them from further conflicts.

Septs: BEATON, BETHUNE, BETON, GRIMMOND, HAROLD, HARROLD, MACANDIE, MACCAIG, MACCLURE, MACCRIMMON, MACCUAIG, MACHAROLD, MACLURE, MACRAILD, MACWILLIAM, NORMAN, MORMAND, WILLIAMSON

"MACLEOD of Harris." Scots Kith and Kin and Illustrated Map Revised Second Edition. Edinburgh, SCOT: Clan House, c.1970. p.73. Print.

keywords[x] tartan, wool, kilts, MacLeod of Harris, clan, septs

MacLeod of Lewis see also Nichols and MacAulay

3 Celts & Company • "MACLEOD of Lewis"

The clan of Torquil (see above) early became so powerful as to dispute the superiority of the Harris branch chiefship, attaining at least an independent status. Important branches were the MacGillechallum or MacLeods of Raasay, and those of Assynt. The MacNicols (Nicolson ect.) were originally an independent clan of the Assynt district (Map E 2): they moved to the Portee corner of Skye after a 14th-century Lewis MacLeod had married their Chief's heiress.

Septs: ASKEY, AULAY, CALLAM, CALLUM, CASKEY, CASKIE, LEWIS, MACALLUM, MACASKIE, MACASKILL, MACABE, MACAULAY, MACCALLUM, MACCASKIE, MACCASKILL, MACCORKILL, MACCORKINDALE, MACCORKLE, MACCORQUODALE, MACGILLECHALLUM, MACKASKILL, MACLEWIS, MACNICHOL, MACNICOL, MACNICOLL, MALCOLMSON, NICHOLL, NICHOLSON, NICOL, NICOLL, NICOLSON, NORIE, NORRIE, TOLMIE

"MACLEOD of Lewis." Scots Kith and Kin and Illustrated Map Revised Second Edition. Edinburgh, SCOT: Clan House, c.1970. p.73,74. Print.

keywords[x] tartan, wool, kilts, MacLeod of Lewis, Nichols, MacAulay, clan, septs