Clan MacLennan
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Clan MacLennan is a Highland Scottish clan. In Gaelic the name is Mac Gille Fhinnein meaning the son of the follower of St Finnan.
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[edit] History
[edit] Origins of the Clan
Who St Finnan's disciple truly was is now lost in time. The MacLennans settled around Kintail. They were related to the Clan Logan who also held lands in Easter Ross-shire. However the MacLennans were to become most prominent in the Lowlands where they became the Barons of Restalrig near the Port of Leith.
However other historians have suggested another theory that the MacLennan clan was originally part of the Clan Logan and was not until the 15th century that this separate clan became called MacLennan.
Later research carried out by the chief in the 1970's showed that the clan’s origins can be traced back to the ancient royal Celtic families of Ireland and Scotland through Aengus Macgillafinan, Lord of Locherne around 1230.
[edit] 17th Century & Civil War
The Clan MacLennan like the Clan MacRae were staunch supporters of the Clan MacKenzie whose chief held power in the area of Kintail. Neither were septs of the MacKenzies but they both appear to have held the position of honourable and valued allies.
During the Civil War the MacLennans followed the MacKenzies who were on the Covenanter side. The MacKenzie chief was now the self proclaimed Lord Seaforth. They fought against James Graham the 1st Marquess of Montrose who was the commander of the Royalist forces in Scotland at the Battle of Auldearn in 1645. The Clan MacLennan were led by their chief Ruaridh, a red-bearded giant standing well over six feet tall.
James Graham the Marquess of Montrose was heavily outnumberd but his strategic genius more than compensated for it. 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. They were finally cut down by the Clan Gordon cavalry.
[edit] 18th Century & Jacobite Uprisings
The decimated Clan MacLennan played little part in the Jacobite Uprisings but eleven MacLennans are recorded as being taken prisoner at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
[edit] Highland Clearances
During the Highland Clearances many MacLennans moved abroad. There are MacLennan mountains in New Zealand and a MacLennan county in the United States.
[edit] MacLennan Pipers
The Clan MacLennan developed a great tradition as pipers. MacLennans were town pipers in Inverness from during the 16th century. The MacLennans were also among the pipers who played at the Battle of Waterloo and have regularly won modern piping competitions.
[edit] Clan Chief
Ronald MacLennan who carried out much research into the clan during the 1970's has since been succeeded by his son Ruairidh MacLennan.
[edit] Clan Septs
The following are Septs of the clan, spelling variations and other names associated with the Clan MacLennan.
Gilfiman, Gillfiman, Gilfillian, Lennan, Lennon, Leonard, Leonerd, Loban, Lobban, Logan, Lyndon, MacAlenon, MacAlinden, MacAlonan, MacClennen, MacClendon, MacLenden, MacLendon, MacLennan, MacLennon, MacLyndon, McClendon, McLandon, McLendon, McLennan, McLennon, MackLenddon, MackClenden, MackLendin, MackLendon, Meclendon.
