An Historical Account of Iona (1838) - Searchable PDF & Surname Index | Hebrides, Mull & Clan Maclean Genealogy

Uncover the Sacred Tombs, 16th-Century Abbey Rentals & Feudal Clan Bonds of Iona (Icolmkill)

First published in 1833 and substantially expanded for this revised 1838 Third Edition, Lachlan Maclean's An Historical Account of Iona, From the Earliest Period is one of the most important primary source volumes ever printed on the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Because Maclean was granted access to the newly discovered archives of the Iona Club and the charter chest of Sir John Campbell of Airds and Ardnamurchan, this volume preserves eight full-text 16th-century rentals, feudal bonds, Privy Seal precepts, and Court of Session decreets (1561–1588) governing the Bishopric of the Isles and the Abbacy of Icolmkill, alongside monumental inscriptions from Relig Orain and lineage histories of the great West Highland clans.

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

• Complete 154-Page Archival Digital Edition: Includes 4 pages of newly compiled Fairbairn's Crests Front Matter (Pages i–iv), all 141 original historical pages of the 1838 Glasgow University Press edition (with unrelated rear publisher advertising removed), and a 9-page Back-of-Book Alphabetical Surname, Clan, Island & Parish Index.
• Original Page Backgrounds & Native OCR Layer Intact: Retained directly from the archival scan without destructive page whitening or re-rasterization, ensuring 100% accuracy when searching keywords (Ctrl+F / Cmd+F) across 16th-century Scots and Gaelic spellings.
• Eight Primary 16th-Century Hebridean Charters & Rentals (pp. 63–101): Includes the 1561 Rentale of the Bishoprick of the Ilis and Abbacie of Ecolmkill; the 1587–8 Crown Charter of Novodamus to Hector Maclean of Duart itemizing 57 penny-lands and merk-lands across Ross of Mull, Mull, Iona, Islay, and Tiree; and feudal bonds signed by Roderick Macleod of the Lewis (1573), Campbell of Calder's sureties at Ardchattan (1575), James Macdonald Gruamach of Castle Camus (1575–6), Angus Macdonald of Dunyvaig (1580), and Lauchlan Mor Maclean of Duart (1580).
• Monumental Inscriptions & Tombs of Relig Orain: Combines Dean Donald Munro's 1549 eyewitness survey, Thomas Pennant's 1769 tour, and James Logan's epigraphic transcriptions of the tombs of 48 Scottish Kings (Fergus II to Macbeth), 4 Irish Kings, 8 Norwegian/Isles Kings, Prioresses Anna MacTerlach and Mariota Maclean of Coll, Abbot John Mackinnon, Angus Og Macdonald of Islay, and Dr. John Beaton (Physician to the Macleans, d. 1651).
• St. Columba, the Culdees & Inch Kenneth: Features a numbered roster of 115 disciples of St. Columba, an extracted chronicle from the Annals of the Four Masters and Annals of Ulster (563–1199 AD), and Sir D. K. Sandford's prose and verse translations of Dr. Samuel Johnson's Latin ode to Sir Allan Maclean and his daughters on Inch Kenneth.

Historical & Regional Overview

For genealogists and historians researching ancestors in Mull, Ross of Mull, Iona, Tiree, Coll, Islay, Kintyre, Skye, North and South Uist, Barra, Raasay, Harris, Lewis, and Lorn, the 38-page charter appendix in Chapter VI provides a rare window into sixteenth-century island landholding. The 1587–8 Crown Precept of Novodamus to Hector Maclean of Duart alone records 57 distinct estates—detailing exact valuations in Scots money, stones of oatmeal and cheese (quowart), calved cows (marts), coal, and lime—while the 1580 Court of Session summons names 19 island chiefs, bailies, and tacksmen who withheld bishopric teinds during the turbulent years following the Scottish Reformation.

In Chapters VII and VIII, Maclean traces the sepulture of the Celtic, Dalriadic, and Norse monarchs buried in the Iomaire nan Righ (Ridge of the Kings) and provides vigorous genealogical and bardic sketches of the chieftains whose carved effigies still rest at Iona: the Macdonalds (Lords of the Isles, Glengarry, Sleat, Clanranald, Dunyvaig, and Ardnamurchan), the Macleans (Duart, Coll, Lochbuy, Brolas, and Torloisg), the Alpinian clans (Mackinnon, MacQuarrie, MacGregor, Grant, and Macnab), the Mackenzies of Kintail, and the Macleods of Harris, Dunvegan, Lewis, and Raasay.

Surnames, Clans & Historical Figures Indexed in This Volume:

Abercromby, Achaius (Achia), Adamnan (Adomnan), Aidan (Aodhan), Albinus (Alcuin), Aldhelm, Alexander III, Alpine (Alpin), Ambercellach, Anguson (Rannald Anguson, Parson of Uig), Aonghas (Angus), Artgal M'Catheld, Aulay (Amhlaibh / Aulaf), Baird, Baithen (Beathen), Baliol, Beaton (Betonus, Donald & Dr. John Beaton), Becan, Berach, Berchan, Blathmac (Blamhac MacFlain), Boethius, Boisil, Boswell, Bran, Bresal, Bruce (Robert the Bruce), Brudius (Brudi), Buchan (Earl of), Buchanan, Caide, Calder (Andrew), Campbell (Acherachin, Airds, Ardchattan, Ardnamurchan, Argyll, Barbreck, Calder/Cawdor, Dunstaffnage, Eriskay, Inverawe, Inverliver, Otter), Carnan, Carswell (Bishop John Kerswell/Carsewell), Cataldus, Ceallach (Cellach), Cedda, Clement (Claudius Clemens), Cobhran, Cobhtach, Colgan, Colla Uais, Colman, Columba (Colum M'Felim M'Fergus / Colum-cille), Columbanus, Coman, Comgan, Conacht, Conal (Congal / Connal), Conan, Connall, Conran, Conrach, Constantine, Convellanus, Cordiner, Cormac, Cormac MacAillila, Cormac M'Aird (Ulfhadda), Cuan, Cuchumin, Cuming (William), Cumin (the Fair), Cuthbert, Dachonna, Dallan Forguill, Dermit (Diarmid), Dima, Donald, Dongall, Dongard,Dorben (Dorbhen), Dubharb, Dubh-dhuin, Duffus (M'Duff), Duncan (Duncha / Doncha), Ebba (Princess), Ecgberht (Egbert), Edelfrid, Eochadh, Eoghan, Ernan, Ethus, Eugenius (Eugene), Failbhe, Faolchuo, Farannan, Fechro, Ferchar, Fergna, Fergus, Ferquhar (Bishop of the Isles), Fiachna, Finan, Finbarr, Finchan, Fingal (Fionn), Fingin, Finlugan, Finten, Flani Abhra, Flanna, Frazier, Genere, Gildas Albanus, Giles (St.), Godred, Godred Crovan, Graham (Graeme), Grant, Gregory (Grig), Grellan, Grimus, Haco, Haco-Uspac, Harold the Black, Hay, Hilary, Hoveden, Huchton (O'Huchton), Hungus (Ungust), Indulf, Innes, Ionas, Iurastach, Johnson (Dr. Samuel), Keating, Kenneth (MacAlpin), Killean (Gillean), Kincaid (James), Knox (Bishop Andrew), Lamont (Schir Jhone Lawmond), Lasran (Lasrain), Lethame (Master John), Libhran, Logan (James), Loman, Lugaid, Lughe, Lumsden, MacArthur (Dougall & Patrick M'Arthour), Macbeth, MacCoinnich, MacConoquhy (Lauchlane & Ronald), MacCulloch (Dr. John), MacCuleis (Gillechrist Og), Macdonald (M'Donald, M'Donill, M'Conill, Clanranald, Dunyvaig, Glengarry, Islay, Lochalsh, Sleat, Trotternish), MacDougall (Duncan of Dunollie), Macduff, MacEwin (Donald & Neill M'Ewin Avoych), Macfie (Murdoch & Neill M'Duffie of Colonsay), MacGillechallum (Raasay), MacGilchreist (Patrick), Macgyllechomghnan (Duncan, Patrick & Maelmore), MacGregor, MacIan (M'Aen / M'Ane of Ardnamurchan), MacKay (Neill M'Ky of Kilchiaran), Mackenzie (Abbot Kenneth & Kintail), Mackinnon (M'Fingon / M'Kynnie, Abbot John, Lachlan & Donald of Ostaig), Maclean (M'Clane, M'Clayne, M'Gillane, M'Gilleon, Brolas, Coll, Duart, Inch Kenneth, Lochbuy, Morvern, Torloisg), Macleod (M'Cloid, Alister Crotach, Dunvegan, Glenelg, Harris, Lewis, Raasay), Macnab, Macneil (M'Neill of Barra, Hector Boydache & John Balloch), MacNicol (Maknicoll of Trotternish), MacQuarrie (M'Quarie / M'Guarie), MacTerlach (Prioress Anna), MacVean (Rev. Donald), MacVicar (Sir Niven), Magnus (King of Norway), Malcolm (Maol-Callum / Canmore), Malduin, Martin M'Cineadh, Mauchane (Master Alexander), Mernoc (Marnoc), Miril, Moab, Mochana, Moluan, Moluc, Monipennie, Monro (Alexander), Moore, Mothorian, Mugron, Muireach, Munna, Munro (Dean Donald), Murcha (Murdoch), Myln (Alexander), Nectan, Nial Frasach, Olave ( the Red & the Black), Oran (St.), Ossian, Ossin, Oswald (King), Oswi (King), Papira (Cardinal), Patrician, Pennant (Thomas), Pilo, Pinkerton, Pocock (Bishop), Rabanus Maurus, Reginald (King of Man), Richmond (Rev. Leigh), Robertach M'Donell, Rus (Russen), Sacheverel (Governor), Sandford (Sir D. K.), Scandal, Scotus (Joannes Scotus Erigena), Segin (Segenius), Senach, Senan, Sillean, Slebhen, Smith (James of Jordanhill & Dr. John), Solvatius, Somerled (Somhairle), Spottiswood, Stewart, Strang (Master Richard), Stuart, Suine, Ternoc, Tighernac, Torannan, Trenan, Tuathal, Tudo, Tulchan, Usher (Archbishop), Walker, Willifred, Winton (Andrew of).

Islands, Parishes, Abbey Lands & Settlements Indexed:

Aberbrothic (Arbroath), Aberdeen, Abernethy, Allabolss (Islay), Ardacha / Ardachig (Mull), Ardchattan Priory (Lorn), Ardchiaveg / Ardkavaig (Mull), Ardelanish / Ardwalleneis (Mull), Ardfinaig / Ardchenaig (Mull), Ardnahow (Islay), Ardnamurchan, Ardnave / Ardneiv / Ardnew (Islay), Ardtun / Ardtwn (Mull), Armadale / Airmadillis (Skye), Armagh, Arran, Assabol (Mull), Assynt, Baleshare / Illera (North Uist), Ballephuille / Ballefulye / Ballifoill (Tiree),Ballevannich / Laintymanniche (Islay), Ballimoir (Mull), Balranald / Baillenakill (Uist), Bangor, Bannockburn, Barra (and Bishop's Isles: Berneray, Flodday, Gigha/Gigarun, Lingay, Mingulay, Pabay, Sanderay, Scarpnamutt, Vatersay), Beith (Mull), Benbecula, Bernis (Mull), Brolas / Brolos (Mull), Bunessan / Bonessane (Mull), Bute (Boot / Buitt), Cairnburgh Castle (Kernaburg / Carnebulg, Treshnish Isles), Callegownan (Mull), Calyemoir (Mull), Cambuskenneth, Camasnanesserin (Melfort), Canna (Cannay), Carinish / Cairenische (Uist), Carsaig (Mull), Carvalge (Mull), Castle Camus / Castell Cames (Skye), Coigach, Coldingham (Coilledu'), Coll, Colonsay (Collinsey), Cramond (Crawmond), Creich / Creweych (Mull), Crongerd / Cronagart (Mull), Crusay, Dalkeith, Dalriada,Duart / Dowart (Mull), Dunkeld, Dunollie (Donnoldych), Dunstaffnage (Dvnstafniche), Duntulm (Dounsceiche, Skye), Dunvegan (Skye), Dunyvaig (Doneveg / Donyvaig, Islay), Durrow (Durrough), Edderaloch (Mull), Edinburgh, Eilean nam Muc (Ardnamurchan), Eilean Tioram (Allantyrem, Moidart), Ellanecalmene (Mull), Eriskay, Eye / Eie (Stornoway, Lewis), Flodden, Forres, Galloway, Geirgadeill (Ardnamurchan), Glasgow, Glasveildirie / Gleswilder (Mull), Glenelg, Glengarry, Glenlivat, Govan, Harlaw, Harris (Heries), Hinba, Howmore / Howmoir (South Uist), Inchcolm (Innis-cholum), Inch Kenneth (Innis Kenneth), Inveraray, Inverawe, Inverkeithing, Inverliver, Inverness, Iona (Ii, Hy, Icolmkill, Ecolmkill, Ycolmkill, Port-a-Churaich, Relig Orain, St. Oran's Chapel, Temple Ronaig), Islay (Ila / Illa), Isle of Man, Keillis (Tiree), Kengarar / Kingargera (Mull), Kilbaxter (Skye), Kilbrandane / Kilvranyn (Mull), Kilchiaran (Kintyre), Kilchrist in Strath (Skye), Kilfinichen (Mull), Killean in Torosay (Mull), Killin / Kellan (Mull), Kilmarnock, Kilmeny / Keilvennie (Islay), Kilmore in Sleat (Skye), Kilmorie (Mull & Uist), Kilninian / Kilneoning (Mull), Kilpatrick / Kilphubbill / Killichronan (Mull), Kilpheder (Uist), Kilvickeon / Kilmakewin (Mull), Kinnabolss (Islay), Kintail, Kintyre, Kirkapol / Kirkapost (Tiree), Kirkcaldy, Kirkcolm (Wigtownshire), Kirkcudbright, Kirkibost (Uist), Knoknafineg (Mull), Knoktaytarlach (Mull), Larakhin (Mull), Largs, Lewis (Loise),Lewone (Mull), Ley (Mull), Lichfield, Lindisfarne (Holy Island / Eilean naomh), Lismore, Lochalsh, Lochbuy (Mull), Loch Tay, Malmesbury, Mec (Islay), Melfort, Melrose (Maol-rois), Moidart (Mwidort), Montrose, Morvern, Muckairn (Muckarn), Mull, Mwicheleische (Islay), Nekill (Islay), Northumbria, Nunton / Ballenamanniche (Uist), Oransay, Orkney (Sanday), Ostaig (Skye), Otter (Argyll), Paris, Pavia, Perth, Pottie / Potty (Mull), Quinish (Mull), Raasay (Rasay), Rechran, Rodel / Roidill (Harris), Rona, Ross of Mull, Sailquhur / Sailchurra (Mull), Sand & Sandy (Uist), Scone, Seirpene (Mull), Shiaba / Schabbay (Mull), Shrydane & Ard (Mull), Skarrals (Islay), Skeag & Lewres (Islay), Skeirachnaheie (Lewis), Skeirkenzie (Kintyre), Skur (Mull), Skye, Sleat (Skye), Snizort (Skye), Sorne (Islay), Soroby (Tiree), Staffa, St. Andrews (Kilrimont), Stokadell (Mull), Stornoway, Sutherland, Teirgargane (Mull), Teirkill (Mull), Terchladane (Mull), Tiree (Teirie / Tyree), Tongue, Torloisg (Mull), Torosay (Mull), Torran / Torrinichtrache (Mull), Traysane (Mull), Treshnish Isles, Trotternish (Skye), Uig (Lewis), Uist (North & South), Ulva, Unganab (Uist), Uskane (Mull), Vaul / Wyle / Woyll (Tiree), Whitby, Winchester.