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{{Short description|Highland Scottish clan}}
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{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}
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|image badge =
|image badge =
|chiefs crest = A demi-piper all Proper, garbed in the proper tartan of the Clan MacLennan.<ref name="WS2000-214"/>
|chiefs crest = A demi-piper all Proper, garbed in the proper tartan of the Clan MacLennan.<ref name="WS2000-214"/>
|chiefs motto = Dum spiro spero<ref name="WS2000-214"/>
|chiefs motto = Dum spiro spero<ref name="WS2000-214"/> While I breathe I hope.
|chiefs slogan =
|chiefs slogan =
|war cry =
|war cry =
|region =
|region =
|district =
|district =
|gaelic names = MacillFhinnein<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/>
|gaelic names = Mac Gille Fhinnein<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/>
|image arms = Arms of MacLennan of MacLennan.svg
|image arms = Arms of MacLennan of MacLennan.svg
|plant badge = Furze<ref name="Bain-138139"/>
|plant badge = Furze<ref name="Bain-138139"/>
|animal =
|animal =
|pipe music =
|pipe music =
|chiefs name = Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan<ref name="burkes-peerage.net-MACLENNANOFMACLENNAN">{{cite web|url=http://www.burkes-peerage.net/familyhomepage.aspx?FID=0&FN=MACLENNANOFMACLENNAN|title=MacLennan of MacLennan, Chief of MacLennan|accessdate=22 June 2009|work=[[Burke's Peerage and Gentry]]}}</ref>
|chiefs name = Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan<ref name="burkes-peerage.net-MACLENNANOFMACLENNAN">{{cite web|url=http://www.burkes-peerage.net/familyhomepage.aspx?FID=0&FN=MACLENNANOFMACLENNAN|title=MacLennan of MacLennan, Chief of MacLennan|access-date=22 June 2009|work=[[Burke's Peerage and Gentry]]|archive-date=3 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403033534/http://www.burkes-peerage.net/familyhomepage.aspx?FID=0&FN=MACLENNANOFMACLENNAN|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|chiefs title = The [[Chief of the Name and Arms]] of MacLennan<ref name="burkes-peerage.net-MACLENNANOFMACLENNAN"/>
|chiefs title = The [[Chief of the Name and Arms]] of MacLennan<ref name="burkes-peerage.net-MACLENNANOFMACLENNAN"/>
|chiefs gaelic title=
|chiefs gaelic title=
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|Rival clans = [[Clan Fraser of Lovat]]
|Rival clans = [[Clan Fraser of Lovat]]
}}
}}
'''Clan MacLennan''', also known as ''Siol Ghillinnein'',<ref name="Bain-138139">[[#BainR|Bain 1983]]: pp. 138&ndash;139.</ref> is a Highland [[Scottish clan]] which historically populated lands in the north-west of [[Scotland]]. The [[surname]] MacLennan in [[Scottish Gaelic]] is ''MacillFhinnein'', meaning the ''son of the follower of St Finnan''.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan">Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The [[Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs]]). pp. 240 - 241.</ref>
'''Clan MacLennan''', also known as ''Siol Ghillinnein'',<ref name="Bain-138139">[[#BainR|Bain 1983]]: pp. 138&ndash;139.</ref> is a Highland [[Scottish clan]] which historically populated lands in the north-west of [[Scotland]]. The [[surname]] MacLennan in [[Scottish Gaelic]] is ''Mac Gille Fhinnein'', meaning the ''son of the follower of St Finnan''.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan">Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The [[Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs]]). pp. 240 - 241.</ref>


==History==
==History==
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===Origins===
===Origins===
The MacLennans settled around [[Kintail]] and belongs to a class of Highland surnames which is ecclesiastichal in origin. In olden times, men were dedicated by their own devotion, or more frequently by the devotion of their parents to some particular Saint, and to express at once their homage to the Saint and the relation in which they wished to be regarded to him, under whose protection and patronage they placed themselves, or had been placed, they assumed the name of the Saint, prefixing to it "Maol" or "Gillie." The later word simply means "Servant."
The MacLennans settled around [[Kintail]] and were related to the [[Clan Logan]].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/> However some historians have said that Logan was the original name of the clan with MacLennan not coming into use until the fifteenth century.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/>
There are many names in the Highlands thus formed from the names of Saints, and dedications to them, such as Malcolm, Gilbride, Gillchrist. In assuming a surname from a name so formed, the prefix "Gille" is dropped - when rendered into english - if the name commences with a consonant, e.g. MacCallum, MacBride. If however, the name commences with a vowel, whilst retaining"Gillie" in gaelic, the "Mac" is followed in English rendering by "L" - thus, Mac Gilleoin becomes MacLean, Mac Gille Adnamhnam become Mac Lennon.

The MacLennons have a long and rich history. The Abbot MacLeinan (ach) died and was buried at St. Blane's church on the Isle of Bute in 776 A.D. in 1217, a Charter of Alexander II, to Duncan MacLennan, who could be the originator of the MacLennan branch Gillenem, Strathearn, who over the years became MacLennans of Galloway and Kirkcudbright. Also in 1217, A Charter to 3rd Earl of Levenaxe to Malcolm, the son of Duncan MacLennan and Eva.
In the fifteenth century a feud took place between the clans Logan and [[Clan Fraser of Lovat|Fraser]].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/> Gillegorm Logan led his clan towards Inverness to attack the Frasers but was ambushed and most of his men were killed in the battle,<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/> that took place at North Kessock.<ref name="Bain-138139"/> The Clan Logan chief, Gilligorm, was amongst those killed.<ref name="Bain-138139"/> Gilligorm's pregnant widow was captured by the Frasers and soon gave birth to a child.<ref name="Bain-138139"/> The Frasers intentionally broke the child's back,<ref name="TheScottishTartans">''The Scottish Tartans, With Historical Sketches of the Clans and Families of Scotland'', p.87</ref> who was named Crotair MacGilligorm because of his deformity.<ref name="Bain-138139"/> Another version of the story is that the child was actually born deformed and was placed with the monks at [[Beauly Priory]].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/> However he disregarded the decree of Pope Innocent III and instead preferred to follow [[Celts|Celtic]] practices.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/> He married and had children and it is from his Gaelic name ''Gille Finnan'' that the clan's name of MacLennan was adopted.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/>
In 1372 at the hands of the Frasers, and MacRaes of Aird, the MacLennans were defeated at the Battle of Drumderfit, hence Clan War Cry "Druim na Deur", or Ridge of Tears. The account of the fight at Drumderfit as given by Anderson in his "Family of Fraser" seems to fit authentic history. About the year 1372 the MacLennans pillaged Tain and Chanonry after which, marching eastward, they encamped on rising ground between Munlochy, and the ferry of Kessock. The Laird of Lovat, having raised a number of his own vassals, and some belonging to the Earl of Ross, surprised the invaders early in the morning at a place called Drumderfit. Of the vanquished, but one escaped and he is said to have owed his preservation to a country basket called a Lobban, or Currich, still occasionally used as a substitute for a cart, under which he concealed himself. His descendants to this day inhabit the neighbourhood and have assumed the surname of Loban, or Logan. They have been so long tenants there that the local proverb says "as long as the Lobbans of Drumderfit."

The heraldry of the MacLennnans and the Logans is similar and alludes to the historic link between the two clans.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/>

Crotair MacGilligorm was educated by the monks at [[Beauly Priory]]<ref name="Bain-138139"/> and later founded churches at [[Kilmor, Sleat]] and Kilchrinin, [[Glenelg, Highland|Glenelg]]. His son, called ''Gille Fhinnein'', is the supposed progenitor of the Clan MacLennan.<ref name="TheScottishTartans"/>


===15th century and clan conflicts===
===15th century and clan conflicts===
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The shield of the chief of the Clan MacLennan also shows their link to the [[Clan Mackenzie]], whose banner was the ''caber-feidh''.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/> The Clan MacLennan along with the [[Clan Macrae]] were strong supporters of the Mackenzies and may at one time have been custodians of the Mackenzie's castle at [[Eilean Donan]].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/>
The shield of the chief of the Clan MacLennan also shows their link to the [[Clan Mackenzie]], whose banner was the ''caber-feidh''.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/> The Clan MacLennan along with the [[Clan Macrae]] were strong supporters of the Mackenzies and may at one time have been custodians of the Mackenzie's castle at [[Eilean Donan]].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/>


In 1452 the Clan MacLennan as septs or allies of the Clan Mackenzie of Kintail fought at the [[Battle of Bealach nam Broig]] against the Frasers under Lord Lovat and the Munros of Foulis:<ref>{{cite book |last=Gordon |first=Robert |date=1813 |orig-year=Printed from original manuscript 1580 – 1656|title=A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland |url=https://archive.org/details/genealogicalhist00gord |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Printed by George Ramsay and Co. for [[Archibald Constable]] and Company Edinburgh; and White, Cochrance and Co. London |page=[https://archive.org/details/genealogicalhist00gord/page/36 36] |author-link=Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Fraser |first=James |date=1905 |orig-year=Edited from original manuscript (c.1674) with notes and introduction, by William Mackay |title=Chronicles of the Frasers: the Wardlaw manuscript entitled 'Polichronicon seu policratica temporum, or, The true genealogy of the Frasers', 916–1674 |url=https://archive.org/details/chroniclesoffras00frasrich |location=Inverness |publisher=Printed at the University Press by [[Thomas Constable (printer and publisher)|T. and A. Constable]] for the [[Scottish History Society]] |pages=[https://archive.org/details/chroniclesoffras00frasrich/page/82 82]–83 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Mackenzie |first=Alexander |date=1898 |title=History of the Munros of Fowlis with Genealogies of the Principal Families of the Name |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofmunroso00mack |location=Inverness |publisher=A. and W. Mackenzie |pages=[https://archive.org/details/historyofmunroso00mack/page/17 17]–21 |author-link=Alexander Mackenzie (historian)}}</ref>
In 1452 the Clan MacLennan as septs or allies of the Clan Mackenzie of Kintail fought at the [[Battle of Bealach nam Broig]] against the Frasers under Lord Lovat and the Munros of Foulis:


<blockquote>''"A desperate skirmish, which took place some time before this, at Bealach nam Broig, "betwixt the heights of Fearann Donuil and Lochbraon," was brought about by some of Mackenzie of Kintail's vassals, instigated by Donald Garbh Maciver attempting to seize the Earl of Ross, but the plot having been discovered, Maciver was seized by the Earl of Ross, Lord of the Isles' followers, and imprisoned in Dingwall. He was soon releawsed, however, by his undaunted countrymen from Kenlochewe, followers of Mackenzie of Kintial, consisting of [[Clan MacIver|Macivers]], Maclennans, [[MacAulay of Ullapool and Loch Broom|Macaulays]], and [[Clan MacLea|Macleays]], who, by way of reprisal, pursued and seized the Earl's son at Balnagown, and carried him along with them. His father, Earl John, at once apprised the Lord Lovat, who was then His Majesty's Lieutenant in the North, of the illegal seizure of his son, and he at once dispatched [[sic]] northward two hundred men, who, joined by Ross's vassals, the [[Clan Munro|Munros]] of Fowlis, and the [[Dingwall (name)|Dingwalls]] of Kildun, pursued and overtook the western tribes at Bealach nam Broig, where they were resting themselves. A desperate and bloody conflict ensued, aggravated and exasperated by a keen and bitter recollection of ancient feud and animosities. The Kenlochewe men (Macivers, Maclennans, Macaulays, and Macleays) seem to have been completely [[extirpated]] and defeated. The race of Dingwall was actually extinguished, one hundred and forty of their men having been slain, and the Munro family of Fowlis although rescuing the hostage, lost eleven members of their house alone, with many of the leading men of their clan.''<ref>[[Sir Robert Gordon, 1st Baronet|Gordon, Sir Robert]], ''History of the Earldom of Sutherland''. Written in about 1625, published in 1813. Page 36.</ref><ref>Fraser, James. Chronicles of the Frasers: the Wardlaw manuscript entitled 'Polichronicon seu policratica temporum, or, The true genealogy of the Frasers', 916-1674. Originally written in about 1674, re-published in 1905 by William Mackay. Pages 82 - 83.</ref><ref>Mackenzie, A, History of the Mackenzies: With Genealogies of the Principal Families of the Name. Published in 1894.</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>''"A desperate skirmish, which took place some time before this, at Bealach nam Broig, "betwixt the heights of Fearann Donuil and Lochbraon," was brought about by some of Mackenzie of Kintail's vassals, instigated by Donald Garbh Maciver attempting to seize the Earl of Ross, but the plot having been discovered, Maciver was seized by the Earl of Ross, Lord of the Isles' followers, and imprisoned in Dingwall. He was soon releawsed, however, by his undaunted countrymen from Kenlochewe, followers of Mackenzie of Kintial, consisting of [[Clan MacIver|Macivers]], Maclennans, [[MacAulay of Ullapool and Loch Broom|Macaulays]], and [[Clan MacLea|Macleays]], who, by way of reprisal, pursued and seized the Earl's son at Balnagown, and carried him along with them. His father, Earl John, at once apprised the Lord Lovat, who was then His Majesty's Lieutenant in the North, of the illegal seizure of his son, and he at once dispatched [[sic]] northward two hundred men, who, joined by Ross's vassals, the [[Clan Munro|Munros]] of Fowlis, and the [[Dingwall (name)|Dingwalls]] of Kildun, pursued and overtook the western tribes at Bealach nam Broig, where they were resting themselves. A desperate and bloody conflict ensued, aggravated and exasperated by a keen and bitter recollection of ancient feud and animosities. The Kenlochewe men (Macivers, Maclennans, Macaulays, and Macleays) seem to have been completely [[Local extinction|extirpated]] and defeated. The race of Dingwall was actually extinguished, one hundred and forty of their men having been slain, and the Munro family of Fowlis although rescuing the hostage, lost eleven members of their house alone, with many of the leading men of their clan.''<ref>{{cite book |last=Mackenzie|first=Alexander |date=1894 |title=History of the Mackenzies with Genealogies of the Principal Families of the Name |url=https://archive.org/details/historymackenzi00mackgoog |location=Inverness |publisher=A. and W. Mackenzie |pages=[https://archive.org/details/historymackenzi00mackgoog/page/n102 76]–79 |author-link=Alexander Mackenzie (historian)}}</ref></blockquote>


===17th century and Civil War===
===17th century and Civil War===
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===Clan MacLennan today===
===Clan MacLennan today===


Prior to 1976 there had not been a recognized MacLennan chief for over three hundred years.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/> In 1977, the [[Lord Lyon King of Arms]] recognised Ronald MacLennan as the '[[Chief of the Name and Arms]] of MacLennan'. Chief Ronald's son and heir Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan became Scotland's youngest Clan Chief at the age of 13 following his fathers death in 1989.<ref name ="MacDonald145146">[[#MacD1|MacDonald 1995]]: pp. 145&ndash;146.</ref>
Prior to 1976 there had not been a recognized MacLennan chief for over three hundred years.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.MacLennan"/> In 1977, the [[Lord Lyon King of Arms]] recognised Ronald George MacLennan as the '[[Chief of the Name and Arms]] of MacLennan. However, a man named William MacLennan from Sydney, Australia, came forward with evidence of his direct descent from the senior line of the clan in the male lineage. The Lord Lyon King of Arms then granted him the right to bear arms, but William did not challenge Ronald MacLennan's position as chief, despite his superior lineage. Following Ronald's death in 1989, his son and heir, Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan, became the youngest clan chief in Scotland at the age of 13.

In 1990, William MacLennan petitioned the Lord Lyon Court, challenging the chiefship. The matter remained unresolved until 2000 when William's son, who had inherited the chieftainship in 1990, withdrew the legal challenge. However, the son still had the option to contest the chiefship in the future if he wished to do so. The dispute over the chiefship between the MacLennan descendants was finally settled with William's son withdrawing the challenge, bringing some resolution to the matter.<ref name="MacDonald145146">[[#MacD1|MacDonald 1995]]: pp. 145&ndash;146.</ref> The modern-day Clan MacLennan has active associations in Scotland, Australia, Canada, the USA and New Zealand. The clan chief resides in Dores, Inverness, Scotland.


==Clan profile==
==Clan profile==
[[File:Logan or MacLennan tartan (Logan).png|thumb|right|The [[tartan]], shared by Clans [[Clan Logan|Logan]] and MacLennan, as recorded by James Logan in 1831.<ref name="Setts">[[#Stewart1|Stewart 1974]]: p. 65.</ref>]]
[[File:Logan or MacLennan tartan (Logan).png|thumb|right|The [[tartan]], shared by Clans [[Clan Logan|Logan]] and MacLennan, as recorded by [[James Logan (writer)|James Logan]] in 1831<ref name="Setts">[[#Stewart1|Stewart 1974]]: p. 65.</ref>]]
*'''Clan chief''': The current chief of the clan is Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan, Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLennan.<ref name="burkes-peerage.net-MACLENNANOFMACLENNAN"/>
*'''Clan chief''': The current chief of the clan is Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan, Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLennan.<ref name="burkes-peerage.net-MACLENNANOFMACLENNAN"/>
*'''Chiefly arms''': The current chief's coat of arms is blazoned: Or, a heart of Gules between two passion nails joined in base Sable, on a chief Azure a stag's head cabossed between two antique crowns, all of the First.<ref name="clanmaclennanworldwide-motto">{{cite web|url=http://www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/gen/motto.htm|title=Crest, Motto, War Cry, Arms & Tartans|accessdate=22 June 2009|work=www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com}}</ref>
*'''Chiefly arms''': The current chief's coat of arms is blazoned: Or, a heart of Gules between two passion nails joined in base Sable, on a chief Azure a stag's head cabossed between two antique crowns, all of the First.<ref name="clanmaclennanworldwide-motto">{{cite web|url=http://www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/gen/motto.htm|title=Crest, Motto, War Cry, Arms & Tartans|access-date=22 June 2009|work=www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com}}</ref>
*'''Chief's war cry''': ''Druim nan deur'', which translates from Scottish Gaelic as "the ridge of tears".<ref name="clanmaclennanworldwide-motto"/>
*'''Chief's war cry''': ''Druim nan deur'', which translates from Scottish Gaelic as "the ridge of tears".<ref name="clanmaclennanworldwide-motto"/>
*'''Clan member's crest badge''': The crest badge suitable for clan members contains the chief's heraldic crest and motto. The crest is: A demi-piper all Proper, garbed in the proper tartan of the Clan MacLennan. However, there exists another crest showing a folded arm bearing a sword. The motto is: Dum spiro spero. The motto translates from Latin as "while i breathe i hope".<ref name="WS2000-214">[[#W1|George Way of Plean; Squire 2000]]: p. 214.</ref>
*'''Clan member's crest badge''': The crest badge suitable for clan members contains the chief's heraldic crest and motto. The crest is: A demi-piper all Proper, garbed in the proper tartan of the Clan MacLennan. However, there exists another crest showing a folded arm bearing a sword. The motto is: Dum spiro spero. The motto translates from Latin as "while i breathe i hope".<ref name="WS2000-214">[[#W1|George Way of Plean; Squire 2000]]: p. 214.</ref>
*'''Clan badge''': The plant badge of Clan MacLennan is [[furze]].<ref name="Bain-138139"/>
*'''Clan badge''': The plant badge of Clan MacLennan is [[furze]].<ref name="Bain-138139"/>
*'''Clan tartan''': Clans MacLennan and [[Clan Logan|Logan]] share the same tartan.<ref name="Bain-138139"/>
*'''Clan tartan''': Clans MacLennan and [[Clan Logan|Logan]] share the same tartan.<ref name="Bain-138139"/> Ancienty recorded as predominantly blue.
MacLennan Tartan: Fractional count of threads given by James Logan in 1831: 8 yellow, 4 black, 4 red, 56 green, 42 black, 56 blue, 6 red, 6 blue, 6 red, 10 blue, 18 red (centre) "Middle Line is Thicher, signifying a battle honor."
Logan Taran: is different recorded in Dundee in 1793: 2 blue, 6 red, 18 green, 6 red, 2 blue, 6 red, 18 blue (NO YELLOW).
MacLennan Tartan: 176 blue, 30 black, 18 green, 24 red, 40 green, 6 black, 16 yellow, 6 black, 40 green, 24 red, 18 green, 30 black, 48 blue, 30 black.


==See also==
==See also==

*[[Clan Logan]], which has been associated with the Clan MacLennan.
*[[MacLennan]], list of notable MacLennans
*[[MacLennan]], list of notable MacLennans


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
13. "The History of the MacLennans" copyright, Ronald G. MacLennan of MacLennan, Clachan, Lochbroom, Ullapool 1978


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*(194?). ''The Scottish Tartans, With Historical Sketches of the Clans and Families of Scotland''. W & A K Johnston, Ltd. ([[Edinburgh]]).
*(194?). ''The Scottish Tartans, With Historical Sketches of the Clans and Families of Scotland''. W & A K Johnston, Ltd. ([[Edinburgh]]).
*{{cite book|last=Bain|first=Robert|editor=MacDougall, Margaret O|others=Heraldic advisor Stewart-Blacker, P. E|title=The Clans and Tartans of Scotland|year=1983|publisher=Collins|location=Glasgow|isbn=0-00-411117-6|ref=BainR}}
*{{cite book|last=Bain|first=Robert|editor=MacDougall, Margaret O|others=Heraldic advisor Stewart-Blacker, P. E|title=The Clans and Tartans of Scotland|url=https://archive.org/details/zdanh_test_031_clanstartansofsc00robe|url-access=registration|year=1983|publisher=Collins|location=Glasgow|isbn=0-00-411117-6|ref=BainR}}
*{{cite book|last=MacDonald|first=Micheil|title=The Clans of Scotland, The History and Landscape of the Scottish Clans|year=1995|publisher=Grange Books|location=London|isbn=1-85627-749-6|ref=MacD1}}
*{{cite book|last=MacDonald|first=Micheil|title=The Clans of Scotland, The History and Landscape of the Scottish Clans|year=1995|publisher=Grange Books|location=London|isbn=1-85627-749-6|ref=MacD1}}
*{{cite book|last=Stewart|first=Donald Calder|title=The Setts of the Scottish Tartans, with descriptive and historical notes|year=1974|publisher=Shepheard-Walwyn|location=London|isbn=0-85683-011-9|edition=2nd revised|ref=Stewar1}}
*{{cite book|last=Stewart|first=Donald Calder|title=The Setts of the Scottish Tartans, with descriptive and historical notes|year=1974|publisher=Shepheard-Walwyn|location=London|isbn=0-85683-011-9|edition=2nd revised|ref=Stewar1}}
*{{cite book|author=[[George Way of Plean|Way, George]]; Squire, Romilly|title=Clans & Tartans|date=2000|publisher=HarperCollins |location=Glasgow|isbn=0-00-472501-8|ref=W1}}
*{{cite book|author1=Way, George|author-link=George Way of Plean|author2=Squire, Romilly |title=Clans & Tartans|date=2000|publisher=HarperCollins |location=Glasgow|isbn=0-00-472501-8|ref=W1}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/http://www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20161017220407/http://www.clanmaclennan.scot/ Clan MacLennan.scot]
⚫
*[http://www.facebook.com/clanmaclennan Clan MacLennan Facebook]
*[https://twitter.com/clanmaclennan Clan MacLennan Twitter]
*[http://instagram.com/clanmaclennan Clan MacLennan Instagram]
*[http://www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/ Clan MacLennan Worldwide]
*[http://www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/ Clan MacLennan Worldwide]
⚫
*[http://www.theclanmaclennan.com/index.html Clan MacLennan of Glenelg and Kintail]


{{Scottish clans}}
{{Scottish clans}}

Latest revision as of 12:56, 11 December 2023

Clan MacLennan
Mac Gille Fhinnein[1]
MottoDum spiro spero[2] While I breathe I hope.
Profile
Plant badgeFurze[3]
Chief
Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan[4]
The Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLennan[4]
Allied clans
Rival clans

Clan MacLennan, also known as Siol Ghillinnein,[3] is a Highland Scottish clan which historically populated lands in the north-west of Scotland. The surname MacLennan in Scottish Gaelic is Mac Gille Fhinnein, meaning the son of the follower of St Finnan.[1]

History[edit]

A Victorian era, romanticised depiction of a member of the clan by R. R. McIan, from The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, published in 1845.

Origins[edit]

The MacLennans settled around Kintail and belongs to a class of Highland surnames which is ecclesiastichal in origin. In olden times, men were dedicated by their own devotion, or more frequently by the devotion of their parents to some particular Saint, and to express at once their homage to the Saint and the relation in which they wished to be regarded to him, under whose protection and patronage they placed themselves, or had been placed, they assumed the name of the Saint, prefixing to it "Maol" or "Gillie." The later word simply means "Servant." There are many names in the Highlands thus formed from the names of Saints, and dedications to them, such as Malcolm, Gilbride, Gillchrist. In assuming a surname from a name so formed, the prefix "Gille" is dropped - when rendered into english - if the name commences with a consonant, e.g. MacCallum, MacBride. If however, the name commences with a vowel, whilst retaining"Gillie" in gaelic, the "Mac" is followed in English rendering by "L" - thus, Mac Gilleoin becomes MacLean, Mac Gille Adnamhnam become Mac Lennon. The MacLennons have a long and rich history. The Abbot MacLeinan (ach) died and was buried at St. Blane's church on the Isle of Bute in 776 A.D. in 1217, a Charter of Alexander II, to Duncan MacLennan, who could be the originator of the MacLennan branch Gillenem, Strathearn, who over the years became MacLennans of Galloway and Kirkcudbright. Also in 1217, A Charter to 3rd Earl of Levenaxe to Malcolm, the son of Duncan MacLennan and Eva. In 1372 at the hands of the Frasers, and MacRaes of Aird, the MacLennans were defeated at the Battle of Drumderfit, hence Clan War Cry "Druim na Deur", or Ridge of Tears. The account of the fight at Drumderfit as given by Anderson in his "Family of Fraser" seems to fit authentic history. About the year 1372 the MacLennans pillaged Tain and Chanonry after which, marching eastward, they encamped on rising ground between Munlochy, and the ferry of Kessock. The Laird of Lovat, having raised a number of his own vassals, and some belonging to the Earl of Ross, surprised the invaders early in the morning at a place called Drumderfit. Of the vanquished, but one escaped and he is said to have owed his preservation to a country basket called a Lobban, or Currich, still occasionally used as a substitute for a cart, under which he concealed himself. His descendants to this day inhabit the neighbourhood and have assumed the surname of Loban, or Logan. They have been so long tenants there that the local proverb says "as long as the Lobbans of Drumderfit."

15th century and clan conflicts[edit]

The shield of the chief of the Clan MacLennan also shows their link to the Clan Mackenzie, whose banner was the caber-feidh.[1] The Clan MacLennan along with the Clan Macrae were strong supporters of the Mackenzies and may at one time have been custodians of the Mackenzie's castle at Eilean Donan.[1]

In 1452 the Clan MacLennan as septs or allies of the Clan Mackenzie of Kintail fought at the Battle of Bealach nam Broig against the Frasers under Lord Lovat and the Munros of Foulis:[5][6][7]

"A desperate skirmish, which took place some time before this, at Bealach nam Broig, "betwixt the heights of Fearann Donuil and Lochbraon," was brought about by some of Mackenzie of Kintail's vassals, instigated by Donald Garbh Maciver attempting to seize the Earl of Ross, but the plot having been discovered, Maciver was seized by the Earl of Ross, Lord of the Isles' followers, and imprisoned in Dingwall. He was soon releawsed, however, by his undaunted countrymen from Kenlochewe, followers of Mackenzie of Kintial, consisting of Macivers, Maclennans, Macaulays, and Macleays, who, by way of reprisal, pursued and seized the Earl's son at Balnagown, and carried him along with them. His father, Earl John, at once apprised the Lord Lovat, who was then His Majesty's Lieutenant in the North, of the illegal seizure of his son, and he at once dispatched sic northward two hundred men, who, joined by Ross's vassals, the Munros of Fowlis, and the Dingwalls of Kildun, pursued and overtook the western tribes at Bealach nam Broig, where they were resting themselves. A desperate and bloody conflict ensued, aggravated and exasperated by a keen and bitter recollection of ancient feud and animosities. The Kenlochewe men (Macivers, Maclennans, Macaulays, and Macleays) seem to have been completely extirpated and defeated. The race of Dingwall was actually extinguished, one hundred and forty of their men having been slain, and the Munro family of Fowlis although rescuing the hostage, lost eleven members of their house alone, with many of the leading men of their clan.[8]

17th century and Civil War[edit]

During the Civil War the Clan MacLennan came to prominence as followers of the Mackenzie chief.[1] The Mackenzie chief was a Covenanter who fought against the royalist commander James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose.[1] The MacLennans and Mackenzies fought against the royalists at the Battle of Auldearn in 1645 but were defeated.[1] At the battle the Clan MacLennan were led by their chief Ruaridh, a red-bearded giant standing well over six feet tall.[1][9]

James Graham the Marquess of Montrose was heavily outnumbered but his strategic genius more than compensated for it.[1] He massed his banners, hoping to deceive the enemy as to the location of his main force. The ruse succeeded, forcing the Covenanters to mass their forces for a full assault. Graham the Marquess of Montrose outflanked Lord Mackenzie of Seaforth, turning the tide of battle in his favour. The Maclennans were sent an order to withdraw, but it was never delivered. Ruaridh and his men fought to the last, defending Seaforth’s standard.[1] They were finally cut down by the Clan Gordon cavalry.[1][9]

18th century and Jacobite risings[edit]

The decimated Clan MacLennan played little part in the Jacobite risings, however eleven MacLennans are recorded as being taken prisoner after the Battle of Culloden.[1] After Culloden the clan system began to fall apart and many MacLennans emigrated to the new world.[1] There are MacLennan Mountains in New Zealand and a McLennan County in the state of Texas, USA.[1]

Clan MacLennan today[edit]

Prior to 1976 there had not been a recognized MacLennan chief for over three hundred years.[1] In 1977, the Lord Lyon King of Arms recognised Ronald George MacLennan as the 'Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLennan. However, a man named William MacLennan from Sydney, Australia, came forward with evidence of his direct descent from the senior line of the clan in the male lineage. The Lord Lyon King of Arms then granted him the right to bear arms, but William did not challenge Ronald MacLennan's position as chief, despite his superior lineage. Following Ronald's death in 1989, his son and heir, Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan, became the youngest clan chief in Scotland at the age of 13.

In 1990, William MacLennan petitioned the Lord Lyon Court, challenging the chiefship. The matter remained unresolved until 2000 when William's son, who had inherited the chieftainship in 1990, withdrew the legal challenge. However, the son still had the option to contest the chiefship in the future if he wished to do so. The dispute over the chiefship between the MacLennan descendants was finally settled with William's son withdrawing the challenge, bringing some resolution to the matter.[10] The modern-day Clan MacLennan has active associations in Scotland, Australia, Canada, the USA and New Zealand. The clan chief resides in Dores, Inverness, Scotland.

Clan profile[edit]

The tartan, shared by Clans Logan and MacLennan, as recorded by James Logan in 1831[11]
  • Clan chief: The current chief of the clan is Ruairidh Donald George MacLennan of MacLennan, Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLennan.[4]
  • Chiefly arms: The current chief's coat of arms is blazoned: Or, a heart of Gules between two passion nails joined in base Sable, on a chief Azure a stag's head cabossed between two antique crowns, all of the First.[12]
  • Chief's war cry: Druim nan deur, which translates from Scottish Gaelic as "the ridge of tears".[12]
  • Clan member's crest badge: The crest badge suitable for clan members contains the chief's heraldic crest and motto. The crest is: A demi-piper all Proper, garbed in the proper tartan of the Clan MacLennan. However, there exists another crest showing a folded arm bearing a sword. The motto is: Dum spiro spero. The motto translates from Latin as "while i breathe i hope".[2]
  • Clan badge: The plant badge of Clan MacLennan is furze.[3]
  • Clan tartan: Clans MacLennan and Logan share the same tartan.[3] Ancienty recorded as predominantly blue.

MacLennan Tartan: Fractional count of threads given by James Logan in 1831: 8 yellow, 4 black, 4 red, 56 green, 42 black, 56 blue, 6 red, 6 blue, 6 red, 10 blue, 18 red (centre) "Middle Line is Thicher, signifying a battle honor." Logan Taran: is different recorded in Dundee in 1793: 2 blue, 6 red, 18 green, 6 red, 2 blue, 6 red, 18 blue (NO YELLOW). MacLennan Tartan: 176 blue, 30 black, 18 green, 24 red, 40 green, 6 black, 16 yellow, 6 black, 40 green, 24 red, 18 green, 30 black, 48 blue, 30 black.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Way, George and Squire, Romily. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 240 - 241.
  2. ^ a b c George Way of Plean; Squire 2000: p. 214.
  3. ^ a b c d Bain 1983: pp. 138–139.
  4. ^ a b c "MacLennan of MacLennan, Chief of MacLennan". Burke's Peerage and Gentry. Archived from the original on 3 April 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2009.
  5. ^ Gordon, Robert (1813) [Printed from original manuscript 1580 – 1656]. A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland. Edinburgh: Printed by George Ramsay and Co. for Archibald Constable and Company Edinburgh; and White, Cochrance and Co. London. p. 36.
  6. ^ Fraser, James (1905) [Edited from original manuscript (c.1674) with notes and introduction, by William Mackay]. Chronicles of the Frasers: the Wardlaw manuscript entitled 'Polichronicon seu policratica temporum, or, The true genealogy of the Frasers', 916–1674. Inverness: Printed at the University Press by T. and A. Constable for the Scottish History Society. pp. 82–83.
  7. ^ Mackenzie, Alexander (1898). History of the Munros of Fowlis with Genealogies of the Principal Families of the Name. Inverness: A. and W. Mackenzie. pp. 17–21.
  8. ^ Mackenzie, Alexander (1894). History of the Mackenzies with Genealogies of the Principal Families of the Name. Inverness: A. and W. Mackenzie. pp. 76–79.
  9. ^ a b Clan MacLennan Worldwide History clanmaclennan-worldwide.com. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  10. ^ MacDonald 1995: pp. 145–146.
  11. ^ Stewart 1974: p. 65.
  12. ^ a b "Crest, Motto, War Cry, Arms & Tartans". www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com. Retrieved 22 June 2009.

13. "The History of the MacLennans" copyright, Ronald G. MacLennan of MacLennan, Clachan, Lochbroom, Ullapool 1978

Sources[edit]

  • (194?). The Scottish Tartans, With Historical Sketches of the Clans and Families of Scotland. W & A K Johnston, Ltd. (Edinburgh).
  • Bain, Robert (1983). MacDougall, Margaret O (ed.). The Clans and Tartans of Scotland. Heraldic advisor Stewart-Blacker, P. E. Glasgow: Collins. ISBN 0-00-411117-6.
  • MacDonald, Micheil (1995). The Clans of Scotland, The History and Landscape of the Scottish Clans. London: Grange Books. ISBN 1-85627-749-6.
  • Stewart, Donald Calder (1974). The Setts of the Scottish Tartans, with descriptive and historical notes (2nd revised ed.). London: Shepheard-Walwyn. ISBN 0-85683-011-9.
  • Way, George; Squire, Romilly (2000). Clans & Tartans. Glasgow: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-472501-8.

External links[edit]

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