McLean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In the mountains of Scotland’s west coast and on the Hebrides islands, the ancestors of the McLean family were born. Their name comes from a devotion to St. John. The surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Gille Eathain, a patronymic name meaning “son of the servant of Saint John.” The Clan is descended from Eachan Reaganach, (brother of Lachlan the progenitor of the Macleans of Duart). These two brothers were both descended from Gilleathain na Tuaidh, known as ‘Gillian of the Battleaxe’, a famed warrior of the 5th century. Eachan, or Hector was given the lands of Lochbuie from John, the first Lord of the Isles, some time in the 14th century.

Early Origins of the McLean family

The surname McLean was first found in the Western Isles where the Clan held extensive lands on almost every island in the Western Hebrides.

Early History of the McLean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McLean research.

McLean Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are a very common occurrence in records of early Scottish names. They result from the repeated and inaccurate translations that many names went through in the course of various English occupations of Scotland. McLean has been spelled MacLean, MacLaine, MacLane, MacLeane, MacClean, MacClain, MacClaine, MacGhille Eoin (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the McLean family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Hector MacLean, Lord of Dowart (c.1560-c.1630), Scottish Lord of the Clan MacLean; Francis Cleyn (Clein, Franz Klein) (c. 1582-1658), a painter and tapestry designer; Sir John Maclean, 1st Baronet, (1604-1666); Sir Hector Maclean, 2nd Baronet of Morvern (c.1620-1651), the 18th Clan Chief of Clan Maclean from 1649 to 1651.

McLean World Ranking

In the United States, the name McLean is the 668^th most popular surname with an estimated 44,766 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name McLean is ranked the 122^ndmost popular surname with an estimated 25,249 people with that name. [2] And in Quebec, Canada, the name McLean is the 903^rd popular surname. [3] Australia ranks McLean as 126^thwith 21,269 people. [4] New Zealand ranks McLean as 50^th with 5,309 people. [5] The United Kingdom ranks McLean as 336^th with 18,332 people. [6]

 Migration of the McLean family to Ireland

Some of the McLean family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 McLean migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first McLeans to arrive on North American shores: 

McLean Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Andrew McLean, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 [7]

McLean Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Catharine McLean, who arrived in New York in 1739 [7]
• Allan McLean, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1740 [7]
• Duncan McLean, who settled in Boston in 1766
• James Elizabeth, Anne, Daniel, James, and Lettice McLean who were all on record in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1767
• Duncan McLean, who arrived in Brunswick, North Carolina in 1767 [7]

McLean Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Charles McLean, who landed in Ohio in 1805 [7]
• Daniel McLean, aged 25, who landed in Rhode Island in 1812 [7]
• Archibald McLean, aged 43, who arrived in North Carolina in 1812 [7]
• James McLean, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1824 [7]
• Jane McLean, who arrived in New York in 1833 [7]

 McLean migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

McLean Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Jennett McLean, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Mrs. Elizabeth McLean U.E. who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 [8]
• Mr. Finlay McLean U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 [8]
• Mr. Hugh McLean U.E. who settled in Didgeguash, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 [8]
• Mr. John McLean U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 [8]

McLean Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Ann McLean, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
• Isobel McLean, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
• Janet McLean, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
• Hector McLean, who arrived in Canada in 1812
• Christina McLean, aged 25, who arrived in Canada in 1812-1814

 McLean migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

McLean Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Miss Mary Mclean, Irish convict who was convicted in Monaghan, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the “Experiment” on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [9]
• Mr. Neil McLean, British Convict who was convicted in Barbados for life, transported aboard the “Coromandel” on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [10]
• Donald McLean, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the “Asia” on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia [11]
• Hugh McLean, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the “Asia” on September 3rd, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia [11]
• Mr. Duncan Mclean, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the “Bengal Merchant” on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land), he died in 1828 [12]

 McLean migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

• James McLean, aged 29, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship “Phoebe Dunbar” between 1841 and 1850
• Katherine McLean, aged 32, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship “Phoebe Dunbar” between 1841 and 1850
• Margaret McLean, aged 4, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship “Phoebe Dunbar” between 1841 and 1850
• Helen McLean, aged under 1, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship “Phoebe Dunbar” between 1841 and 1850

McLean Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Archibald McLean, aged 23, a blacksmith, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship “Prince of Wales” in 1842
• Catherine McLean, aged 23, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship “Prince of Wales” in 1842
• Elizabeth McLean, aged 11, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship “Prince of Wales” in 1842
• Archibald McLean, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship “Prince of Wales” in 1842
• Mr. Alexander McLean, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship “Tobago” arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th September 1842 [13]

Contemporary Notables of the name McLean (post 1700) +

• John McLean (1878-1955), American Olympian who won a silver medal for 110m hurdles at the 1900 games
• Brigadier-General Milton Robbins McLean (1874-1956), American Commanding Officer 161st Field Atillery Regimenty (1923-1925) [14]
• Malcom Purcell McLean (1913-2001), American entrepreneur, often called “the father of containerization” named “Man of the Century” by the International Maritime Hall of Fame
• David McLean (1922-1995), American film and television actor
• Edward Beale McLean (1889-1941), American newspaper publisher, Washington Post
• Donald McLean Jr. (b. 1945), American singer-songwriter most famous for the 1971 album American Pie
• Amzi C. McLean, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Jersey, 1860 [15]
• Alney McLean (1779-1841), American politician, Member of Kentucky State House of Representatives, 1812-13 [15]
• Allan F. McLean Jr., American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in San Salvador, 1945; Vigo, 1945 [15]
• Alexander McLean (d. 1908), American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Illinois, 1876; University of Illinois trustee, 1889-1908 [15]
• … (Another 100 notables

The McLean Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtue mine honour
Motto Translation: Virtue is my honour.