Unraveling Mclean's Heritage: Coat Of Arms Explained

The McLean coat of arms features a tower with embattlements, symbolising the historical family home and the safety it provides. The colours black (Sable) and red (Gules) represent constancy and family longevity, and martyrdom and historical military strength, respectively. The McLean family name originates from the Gaelic MacGille Eathain, meaning son of the servant of Saint John, and the clan is descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, or 'Gillian of the Battleaxe', a famed 5th-century warrior. The clan is one of the oldest in the Scottish Highlands and has a long history of honour, strength and courage in battle.

The chevron shape

The McLean family has a long and proud history, dating back to the 13th century when they claimed territory over large parts of land in Argyll and the Inner Hebrides. The clan is descended from Gillean of the Battle Axe, a famed 13th-century warrior, and their name originates from the Scottish Gaelic 'MacGillEthain' or 'MacGille Eoin', meaning 'son of the servant of St. John'.

The McLean family held significant power and influence, with ownership of the Isles of Mull, Tiree, Islay, and Jura, as well as the mainland provinces of Knapdale and Morvern in Argyll. They were known for their honour, strength, and courage, particularly in battles with other clans such as the MacKinnons, Camerons, MacDonalds, and Campbells.

The chevron in the McLean coat of arms serves as a visual representation of the family's strong connection to their historical homeland. It symbolises the sense of safety, unity, and enduring legacy that the family has fostered through the centuries. This symbol is a testament to the McLean clan's rich history and the values that have guided them over the years.

The McLean coat of arms, with its chevron shape, is a powerful reminder of the family's proud heritage and the importance they place on honour, strength, and the bonds of kinship. It stands as a symbol of their enduring legacy and the sense of belonging that is inherent to the McLean name.

Feathers

The feathers in the McLean coat of arms have been used for centuries to represent characteristics of peace, tranquility, and a sense of calmness. They are a powerful symbol of hope and a reminder of the beauty of life. The feathers are also said to stand for patience, obedience, vigilance, and endurance.

The depiction of feathers is very natural, and they are commonly shown holding a horseshoe or a key. Feathers are also used in heraldry to denote protection and are symbols of peace, flight, freedom, and spiritual transport.

The McLean coat of arms is not the only notable instance of feathers being used in heraldry. The Prince of Wales's feathers, for example, are the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales, the heir to the British throne. The badge consists of three white ostrich feathers encircled by a gold coronet.

The colours black and red

The colour black in heraldry is known as 'sable' and symbolises constancy and endurance, representing family longevity through time. It can also signify grief or prudence. In the McLean coat of arms, the colour black symbolises constancy and the enduring nature of the family.

Red, or 'gules' in heraldry, traditionally symbolises martyrdom, military strength, magnanimity, and cunning. In the context of the McLean coat of arms, the colour red represents the historic military strength of family members when called upon in times of war.

The McLean clan is a Highlands Scottish clan, one of the oldest in the Highlands, with large tracts of land in Argyll and the Inner Hebrides. The clan is known for its honour, strength, and courage in battle, and has been involved in skirmishes with other Scottish clans such as the Mackinnons, Camerons, MacDonalds, and Campbells.

The McLean coat of arms, with its colours of black and red, serves as a symbol of the clan's enduring nature, military prowess, and strong presence in Scottish history.

The Maclean name meaning and origin

The Maclean name has a rich history and origin, dating back to the ancient Dalriadan Clans of the late 12th century. The name has its roots in the Scottish Gaelic language, with several variations in spelling, including "MacGillEthain" and "MacGille Eoin", ultimately deriving from "MacGille Eathain". This name translates to "son of the servant of St. John", indicating that the initial bearer of the name was a devout follower or servant of Saint John. The name is prevalent in the regions of the Hebrides and Argyll in Scotland, with the ancestors of the McLean family believed to have been born in the mountains of Scotland's west coast and on the Hebrides islands.

The Maclean clan is one of the oldest in the Scottish Highlands, and they owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. 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. The founder of the clan was a Scottish warlord named Gillean of the Battle Axe, who lived from 1210 to 1263. Gillean was descended from the Cenél Loairn kindred of Dál Riata and served as a judge and councillor to King David I of Scots. The clan gained influence through marriages with other powerful clans, such as Clan MacDonald, Clan Bruce, and Clan MacKenzie, bringing them into the Scottish royal sphere.

Over time, the Maclean clan became known for their honour, strength, and courage in battle, often fighting alongside other clans such as the MacKinnons, Camerons, MacDonalds, and Campbells. They were involved in the Jacobite risings and supported Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The clan's motto, "Virtue Mine Honour", translates to "Virtue is the mark of my honour", and it served as a unifying phrase for clan members to show their allegiance. The Maclean family crest features a tower with embattlements, symbolising the historical family home and the sense of safety and constancy it provides.

The name Maclean has also spread to other parts of the world, including Ireland, where it was introduced by Galloglass warriors from Scotland. In the United States, variations such as "McLain" and "McLane" are common, reflecting phonetic spelling changes. The name can also be found in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, with varying levels of popularity.

The history of the McLean coat of arms

The McLean coat of arms has a rich and fascinating history that dates back centuries. The name McLean is a Scottish surname that originates from the Gaelic "MacGilleEathain", which means "son of the servant of Saint John". The clan is descended from Gillean of the Battle Axe, a 13th-century Scottish warlord. From the 13th century onwards, the McLean clan claimed territories in the Western Isles, particularly in Argyll and the Inner Hebrides, including the islands of Coll, Tiree, and Mull.

The earliest McLean coat of arms featured a tower with embattlements, which is still a prominent symbol in the clan's heraldry. The tower represents the historical family home and the sense of safety and constancy it provides. The black colour (sable) in the coat of arms also symbolises constancy and family longevity. The red colour (gules), on the other hand, represents the historic military strength of the family and their martyrdom.

Feathers are another important symbol in the McLean coat of arms. Feathers have been used for centuries to represent characteristics such as peace, tranquility, and calmness. They serve as a powerful symbol of hope and a reminder of the beauty of life.

The McLean clan was one of the oldest and most powerful clans in the Scottish Highlands. They were known for their honour, strength, and courage in battles against rival clans such as the Mackinnons, Camerons, MacDonalds, and Campbells. 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 other powerful clans, such as the MacDonalds, Clan Bruce, and Clan MacKenzie, further solidified their status.

The McLean clan played a significant role in Scottish history, particularly during the Wars of Scottish Independence. They are said to have fought alongside Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The clan also supported the Jacobite rising of 1715, and their chief, Sir Hector Maclean, was created Lord Maclean in the Jacobite peerage.

Today, the McLean coat of arms continues to be a source of pride and heritage for those who bear the name. While the original coat of arms was granted to an individual, it has come to represent the shared history and values of the McLean clan.

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