Account of the Surname of Maclean (1751) & Life of Lachlan MacLean of Coll (1914) - Searchable PDF & Surname Index

Discover a Scarce 1914 Clan MacLean Monograph Combining the Rare 1751 Clan Manuscript, Hebridean Sept Patronymics & Transatlantic Pioneer Genealogies

Originally published in a limited 1914 edition by renowned Clan MacLean historian Dr. John Patterson MacLean (J. P. MacLean, 1848–1939) at The Aldine Publishing House in Xenia, Ohio, An Account of the Surname of Maclean, or Macghillean, From the Manuscript of 1751, and A Sketch of the Life and Writings of Lachlan MacLean, With other information pertaining to the Clan Maclean is an indispensable primary source for anyone tracing ancestors across the Inner Hebrides (Mull, Coll, Tiree, Iona, Ulva, and the Treshnish Isles), Morvern, Ardgour, Lochaber, Inverness-shire, Glasgow, and the 19th-century Scottish diaspora in Quebec, the United States, and Australia.

What's Inside This Enhanced Fairbairn's Crests Digital Edition:

• Complete 62-Page Archival Digital Edition: Includes 4 pages of newly compiled Fairbairn's Crests Front Matter (Pages i–iv), all 48 original historical text and illustration pages from the 1914 edition, and a newly compiled 10-page Comprehensive Alphabetical Surname, Clan Figure & Place Index at the back of the book.
• Pure White (#FFFFFF) Archival Page Restoration: All dark cover wrappers, blank flyleaves, patterned endpapers, library checkout pockets, barcodes, and institutional ink stamps have been completely stripped, and every retained page has been professionally whitened to a crisp, pure white (#FFFFFF) background for effortless screen reading and home printing.
• Every-Word Searchable OCR Text Layer: Press Ctrl+F (Windows) or Cmd+F (Mac) to search instantly across all 48 historical pages and the Back-of-Book Index, supported by a clear Page Offset Guide (Merged PDF Page = Original Printed Page + 4).
• The Rare 1751 Clan MacLean Manuscript: Full text of the 1751 Edinburgh account tracing the origins of Gillean and the MacGilleans, their lands in Aros, Mull, Tiree, and Coll under the Lords of the Isles, the duel between MacLean and Irwin of Drum at the Battle of Harlaw (1411), service at Flodden (1513) and Pinkie (1547), and the sacrifice of Sir Hector MacLean and seven brothers at the Battle of Inverkeithing (1651).
• Septs, Gaelic Patronymics, Heraldry, Bards & Ceol Mor: Documents 24 territorial cadet branches, the Gaelic patronymics of the sept chiefs, hereditary clan officers (Rankin pipers, Beaton physicians, Morison standard bearers), the quartered MacLean Coat of Arms and Crest, plant badges, Dress and Hunting tartans, classical Ceol Mor pipe tunes and laments, and a chronological roll of 25 MacLean bards from 1537 to 1892.
• Biography & 11-Generation Pedigree of Lachlan MacLean of Arnabost, Isle of Coll (1798–1848): Traces the life, Gaelic scholarship, and male-line descent of Lachlan MacLean ("Lachlan nan Osan") from John Garbh, 1st MacLean of Coll, alongside detailed 19th-century emigration records for his brother John O. MacLean (1804–1892) and extended family across Quebec, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Victoria, Australia.

Historical & Regional Overview

For genealogists researching Highland and Island families, distinguishing between the cadet houses of Clan Gillean is often the key to breaking through a research brick wall. This volume maps the exact territorial seats and branches of the clan—including Duart (Dowart), Brolas, Lochbuie (Lochbuy), Coll, Ardgour (Ardgower), Pennycross, Drimnin, Lehire, Torloisk, Ross of Mull, Scallasdale, Dochgarroch, Kingairloch, Grulin, Borreray, Treshnish, Inverscaddel, Blaich, Muck, Achnasaul, Drimnacross, Totaranald, Crosspol, and Gallanich—as well as the allied MacGuire proprietors of Ulva and the MacOlay and MacLay septs of Athole and Stirlingshire. It also records the traditional Gaelic patronymics used in Highland records where English surnames were omitted, including Mac Illeathian / Mac Ghilleathain (the Chief), Sliochd Mhurchaidh Ruaidh (Lochbuie), Clann Thearlaich (Dochgarroch), Mac Mhic Eoghain / MacMhicewin (Ardgour), Mac Iain Abraich (Coll), and Mac Mhic Eachain Chinnghearloch (Kingairloch).

Beyond the Western Isles, this book provides rare biographical and transoceanic migration links between Argyllshire and North America. It documents the baptismal entry of Lachlan MacLean at Arnabost, Isle of Coll (June 2, 1798, son of John MacLean and Flora MacLean; grandson of Lachlan MacLean and Catherine Campbell), his merchant and literary career in Glasgow with Rev. Dr. Norman MacLeod of St. Columba Church and the Glasgow University Ossianic Society, the emigration of his children Norman MacLeod MacLean, Agnes (Mrs. McNeill), and Jane (Mrs. J. C. Kearney) to East Melbourne and North Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, and the 1848 removal of his brother John O. MacLean (1804–1892) and wife Mary MacLean (1814–1904) from Coll to Brampton Gore near Melbourne, Quebec, and onward to Louisiana and St. Louis (Missouri), Wichita (Kansas), Chicago (Illinois), Calumet (Michigan), Pueblo and Cripple Creek (Colorado), and Medford (Oklahoma).

Surnames & Families Indexed in This Volume:

Abraich (Abrach, Mac Iain Abraich), Adair (Adairs), Ailean nan Sop (Ai-lean-nan-sop), Am Bard MacGhilleain, Am Buirdeasach Ban, An Cleireach Beag, An Cubair Colach, An Gael anns a' Bhaile, An T-aireach Muileach, Ashmore (Agnes Ashmore), Atwood, Baillie (Miss Baillie), Beaton (Beatons), Bronnach (Lachlan Bronnach), Buchanan (Dugald Buchanan), Cameron (Camerons), Campbell (Allen Campbell, Catherine Campbell, Dugald Campbell, Duke of Argyll, Earl of Argyle, Lord Campbell, Mac-Caillean Mor, Mac Calain Morr, Marquis of Lorne), Catanach (Lachlan Catanach), Chinnghearloch (Mac Mhic Eachain Chinnghearloch), Colquhoun, Cook (Daniel Cook), Cromwell (Oliver Cromwell), Cumming (John Cumming), Dalrymple (Quentin Dalrymple), Davidson (Ebenezer Davidson), Deyer (Mrs. Bradalbine Deyer), Dodds (Rev. Dr. James Dodds), Douglas (K. Douglas), Duncan (James Duncan), Dunn (Andrew Dunn), Eachuinn Bacach, Elder (Smith, Elder & Co.), Eoghan Og, Ewing (Rev. Greville Ewing), Fionn (Henry White), Fitzgirald (Colin Fitzgirald, Earls of Desmond, Earls of Kildare, Fitzgerald, Girald, Giraldsons, Maurice Fitzgirald, Seignior Giraldo), Fraser (Neill & Fraser), Gilleasbuig Laidir, Grafton (General Fitzroy Jeffres Grafton MacLean), Haldane (Haldains), Hastie (MP for Glasgow), Hope (Charles Hope Maclean), Irwin (Irwin of Drum), Kearney (J. C. Kearney, Mrs. Jane R. Kearney), Kenney (Stirling & Kenney), Knox (John Knox), Lake (Mrs. Agnes Lake), Lester (David Lester, Flora MacLean Lester), Logan (James Logan), Mac an Easbuig (Anndra Mac an Easbuig), MacCulloch, MacDonald (D. T. MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, McDonald, McDonalds), Macfarlane (P. Macfarlane), MacFirbis (Duald MacFirbis), MacGregor (Macgregor, Rob Roy MacGregor), MacGuire (MacGuire of Uluva / Ulva), MacKenzie (Kennethsons, MacKenzies, Rev. P. MacKenzie), MacLachlan (Ewen McLachlan, Maclachlan & Stewart, McLachlan), MacLay (MacLays), MacLean (Ailean nan Sop, Alexander Maclean, Alexander Thomas Maclean 15th of Ardgour, Colonel Sir Allan MacLean 22nd Chief, Allen Maclean of Iona, Captain Andrew Maclean of Knock, Archibald Maclean of Tiree, Catherine Maclean of Coll, Charles Maclean, Colonel Sir Charles Fitzroy MacLean 25th Chief, Charles Hope Maclean, Colene MacLean, Donald Maclean / Domhull Cubair, Donald Ban Maclean, Duncan MacLean Clan Bard, Rev. Duncan Maclean of Glenorchy, Eoghain Mac-Ghilleain of Barra, Colonel Sir Fitzroy Donald MacLean 26th Chief, General Fitzroy Jeffres Grafton MacLean 24th Chief, Flora MacLean, Gillean, Hector MacLean, Sir Hector MacLean 18th Chief, Sir Hector MacLean 21st Chief, Sir Hector MacLean 23rd Chief, Hector Roy Maclean, Hugh MacLean, Iain mac Thearlaich Oig, J. A. Maclean of Forfar, J. C. Maclean, Dr. J. P. MacLean, Janet Maclean of Coll, John MacLean, Rev. John Maclean of Mull, Sir John Maclean of Duart, Colonel John Bayne Maclean of Toronto, John Garbh MacLean 1st of Coll, John O. MacLean, John W. McLean of Chicago, Lachlan MacLean of Arnabost, Lachlan Bronnach 7th Chief, Lachlan Catanach, Sir Lachlan Mor / Mohr, Lachunn Eli, MacGilleain, MacGillean, Macghillean, MacGhilleathain, MacIlleain, MacIlleathian, MacLeon, Malcolm Maclean / Calum a Ghlinne, Margaret Maclean, Mary MacLean, McLean, Lt.-Col. Murdoch Maclean, Murdoch MacLean of Medford, Ex-Provost N. MacLean of Govan, Norman MacLeod MacLean, Rev. Alexander Thomson Maclean, Sarah MacLean Templeton, Thomas K. MacLean, W. D. MacLean, William Maclean of Plantation), MacLeod (Macleod, Macleods, McLeod, Mrs. Mary M. McLeod, Rev. Dr. Norman MacLeod of Campsie & St. Columba), MacMhicewin (Mac Mhic Eoghain), MacMurcho (Dermud MacMurcho, King of Leinster), MacNeil (McNeils), MacOlay (MacOlays), MacPherson (James MacPherson), MacTalla, Marshall (Simpkin, Marshall & Co.), McNeill (Mrs. Agnes MacLean McNeill), McPhin (W. R. McPhin), Middleton (Captain Middleton), Miller (James Miller), Moncrieff (Thomas Moncrieff), Moore (Dugald Moore), Morison (Eoin Morrison of Skye, Morisons, Morrison & Picken), Napier (Robert Napier), Neill (Neill & Fraser), O'Conor (Roderick Oconer / Oconor), Ogle (Maurice Ogle), Ogilvie (T. Ogilvie), O'Rorke (Orork, King of Meath), Pennant (Thomas Pennant), Picken (James Picken, MacLean & Picken, Pickens), Pope (Alexander Pope), Rankin (Rankins, Rev. D. Ranken), Reid (John Reid), Scott (Sir Walter Scott), Seneachie, Simpkin, Sinclair (Rev. John Campbell Sinclair), Skene, Sliochd Mhurchaidh Ruaidh, Smith (James Smith, Smith & Son, Smith Elder & Co.), Speed (John Speed), Stewart (Maclachlan & Stewart), Stirling (Stirling & Kenney), Story (Rev. Robert Story of Rosneath), Strongbow (Richard Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke), Stuart (Prince Charles Edward Stuart), Templeton (Sarah MacLean Templeton, Wilson Templeton), Thearlaich (Clann Thearlaich), Thomson (A. R. Thomson, Rev. Alexander Thomson Maclean), Wallace (Sir William Wallace), White (Henry White / Fionn), Whittaker (Whittaker & Co.).

Parishes, Townships & Settlements Indexed:

Aberdeen (Aberdeenshire), Achnasaul, Ailsa Craig (Firth of Clyde), Aird Meadhomach (Isle of Mull), Ardgour (Ardgower, Argyllshire), Argyll (Argyle, Argyleshire), Arnabost (Isle of Coll), Aros (Aros Castle, Isle of Mull), Arran (Isle of Arran), Athole (Atholl, Perthshire), Australia (East Melbourne & North Warrnambool, Victoria), Baillieston (Lanarkshire), Ballymote (Co. Sligo, Ireland), Barra (Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides), Ben More (Isle of Mull), Blaich (Ardgour), Borreray (Boreray, Hebrides), Brampton Gore (Melbourne, Province of Quebec, Canada), Brolas (Brolois, Isle of Mull), Brussels & Waterloo (Belgium), Calumet (Houghton County, Michigan), Campsie (Stirlingshire), Canada (Ontario, Quebec, Yukon), Chicago (221 N. Dearborn Street, Cook County, Illinois), Clachan of Rosneath (Dunbartonshire), Clyde (River & Firth of Clyde), Coll (Isle of Coll / Coil / Chola, Argyllshire), Cripple Creek (Teller County, Colorado), Crosspol (Crossapol, Isle of Coll), Culloden (Culloden Plain, Inverness-shire), Desmond (Munster, Ireland), Dochgarroch (Inverness-shire), Drimnacross (Isle of Coll), Drimnin (Morvern, Argyllshire), Drum (Aberdeenshire), Duart Castle (Doward, Dowart, Duard, Duairt, Caisteal Du'aird, Isle of Mull), Dublin (Ireland), Dumbarton (Dunbartonshire), Duncuaich (Duniquoich, Inveraray), Dundee (Forfarshire / Angus), Dunrobin (Sutherland), Edinburgh (Advocates Library, Frederick Street, Midlothian), Flodden (Flowdon, Northumberland), Folkestone (Kent, England), Forfar (Forfarshire / Angus), Fort William (Inverness-shire), France, Gallanich (Isle of Coll), Glasgow (Argyll Street, Argyle Arcade, Exchange Square, Ingram Street Gaelic Church, Oxford Street, Queen Street, Royal Exchange, Southern Necropolis, St. Columba Church, St. George's Church, University of Glasgow, Lanarkshire), Glen-Albin (Great Glen, Inverness-shire), Glencoe (Argyllshire), Glenfinnan (Prince Charles Edward Stuart Monument, Inverness-shire), Glenfruin (Dunbartonshire), Glenorchy (Argyllshire), Govan (Lanarkshire), Greenock (Renfrewshire), Grulin (Isle of Mull / Eigg), Harlaw (Aberdeenshire), Inch Kenneth (Argyllshire), Inveraray (Inverary, Argyllshire), Inverkeithing (Innerkeithing, Fife), Inverness (Inverness-shire), Inverscaddel (Inverscadel, Ardgour), Iona (I-colm-kill, Icolmkill, Iona Cathedral, Isle Jona, Argyllshire), Ireland (Leinster, Meath), Kerniburg (Cearnburg / Cairnburgh Castle, Treshnish Isles), Kilchollumkill (St. Colm's Church, Mull of Kintyre), Kildare (Leinster, Ireland), Kingairloch (Ardgour / Morvern), Kinlochewe (Ross-shire), Kintail (Ross-shire), Kintyre (Mull of Kintyre, Argyllshire), Klondike (Yukon Territory, Canada), Knock (Isle of Mull), Kyles of Bute (Argyllshire), Largs (Ayrshire), Lecan (Co. Sligo, Ireland), Lehire (Isle of Mull), Loch Goil (Argyllshire), Loch Lomond (Dunbartonshire & Stirlingshire), Loch Long (Argyllshire & Dunbartonshire), Lochbuie (Lochbuy, Isle of Mull), Lochgair (Argyllshire), Lochgilphead (Argyllshire), London (England), Louisiana (Pike County, Missouri), Medford (Grant County, Oklahoma), Morvern (Argyllshire), Muck (Isle of Muck, Small Isles), Mull (Isle of Mull, MacLean's Nose / Mhic Illeain, Ross of Mull, Argyllshire), Norway, Oban (Argyllshire), Paris (France), Pembroke (Wales), Pennycross (Isle of Mull), Perth (Perthshire), Pinkie (Pinky, Midlothian), Plantation (Glasgow), Portkil (Port-kill House, Rosneath Peninsula, Dunbartonshire), Pueblo (Pueblo County, Colorado), Richmond (Graham College, Quebec, Canada), Rome (Vatican Archives, Italy), Roseneath (Rosneath & Rose Ferry, Dunbartonshire), Scallasdale (Isle of Mull), Skye (Eilean Sgiathanach, Waternish, Inverness-shire), South Knapdale (Argyllshire), St. Kilda (Outer Hebrides), St. Louis (Missouri), Staffa (Isle of Staffa, Argyllshire), Stirlingshire, Tiree (Isle of Tyree / Tiree, Argyllshire), Tobermory (Isle of Mull), Torloisk (Isle of Mull), Toronto (Ontario, Canada), Totaranald (Totronald, Isle of Coll), Traigh Gruinart (Trai-Grin-aird, Isle of Islay), Treshnish (Treshnish Isles, Argyllshire), Ulva (Isle of Uluva, Argyllshire), Wichita (Sedgwick County, Kansas), Wight (Isle of Wight, England), Windsor (Berkshire, England), Xenia (Greene County, Ohio).