Clan Maclean

Clan Maclean (/mækˈleɪn/ ^ⓘ; Scottish Gaelic: Clann 'IllEathain [kʰl̪ˠãn̪ˠ iˈʎɛhɛɲ]) is a Highlands Scottish clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early Macleans became famous for their honour, strength and courage in battle. They were involved in clan skirmishes with the Mackinnons, Camerons, MacDonalds and Campbells, as well as all of the Jacobite risings.

There are several different origins for the surname Maclean, however, the clan surname is an anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic MacGilleEathain. This was the patronymic form of the personal name meaning 'Servant of Saint John',^{[unreliable source]} thus 'Son of the Servant of [St] John'. The clan's rise to power began in 852 with a Papal Bull of Charter and Protection for the Iona Abbey, issued by Pope Leo IV. Marriages with Clan MacDonald in the late 1200s, Clan Bruce in the 1300s, and Clan MacKenzie in the 1400s brought Clan Maclean into the Scottish royal sphere.

The founder of the clan was a Scottish warlord named Gillean of the Battle Axe (1210–1263). There are stories of Gillean being descended from the FitzGerald dynasty. He was a judex (judge) and councillor to King David I of Scots. Gillean fought at the Battle of Largs in 1263 during the Scottish–Norwegian War, in which the Scottish were victorious.

Gillean's son Malise mac Gilleain (from the Gaelic Maoliosa 'Servant of Jesus') was thought by some to have taken the name Gillemor in 1263 and is also said to have led his followers at the Battle of Largs in 1263. He wrote his name as "Gillemor Mcilyn, County of Perth" (indicating 'Gillemor Son of [Gil]lean') on the third Ragman Rolls of 1296, swearing fealty to Edward I of England.

Gillean's great-great-grandson was Iain Dhu Maclean who settled on the Isle of Mull. One of his sons was Lachainn Lubanach (Lachlan) who was the progenitor of the Macleans of Duart and the other son was Eachainn Reafanach (Hector) who was the progenitor of the Clan Maclaine of Lochbuie. The Macleans of Duart married into the family of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles (chief of Clan Donald). By the end of the 15th century, the Macleans owned the isles of Mull, Tiree, Islay, and Jura, as well as the mainland provinces of Knapdale and Morvern in Argyll, and Lochaber in what was later Inverness-shire.

The Clan Maclean are said to have fought in support of Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

By the 14th century, the Clan Maclean had become a dominant force in the Western Isles. In about 1364 Lachlan Lùbanach Maclean (1325-1405) of Duart, 5th Chief, solidified the Maclean alliance with the Macdonalds through marriage. His bride, Mary Macdonald, was not only the daughter of John Macdonald, first Lord of the Isles, but also the granddaughter of Robert II, King of Scots. The families were close enough related that the approval of the church was sought. The papal dispensation issued by Pope Urban V on 3 May of 1367 approving the already consummated marriage is the first mention of a Maclean in any official records.. The papal dispensation blessed the marriage retroactively as insurance that it could not be annulled for political purposes. Mary's marriage dowry included Duart Castle and much of Mull. Lachlan Lùbanach also was granted the hereditary position of Lieutenant-General of the Isles. He was recognized as the superior Maclean on Mull by the Lord of the Isles. Hector (1328-1407), his younger brother, was in the late 1300s given Lochbuie by the Lord of the Isles.

During the 14th and 15th century many battles were fought between the Clan Maclean and Clan Mackinnon.