Clan MacLennan, also known as Siol Ghillinnein, 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.
History
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." 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 MacLennon's have a long and rich history. The Abbot MacLeinan (ach) died and was buried at St. Blanes 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, whom 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 where the Clan War Cry comes from (Druim na Deur, Ridge of tears.) The account of the fight at Drumderfit as given by Anderson in his "Family of Fraser", seem to fit in the 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 vassels, 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 substitude for a cart, under which he concealed himself. His descenants 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
The shield of the chief of the Clan MacLennan also shows their link to the Clan Mackenzie, whose banner was the caber-feidh. 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.
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: