McLeod History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of McLeod

What does the name McLeod mean?

McLeod is one of the names derived from the families of the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland. It is derived from the personal name Leod. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac Leoid, which means son of Leod, son of Olaf the Black, King of Man and the Northern Isles. Olaf was from a dynasty of Norse Kings, who, for centuries held the Isles. They were in turn descended from King Halfdan the Stingy, a King who was reputed to be descended from the god Frey. Leod held the island of Lewis, the mainland Glenelg and part of Skye in about 1195 AD. It was his two sons who founded the two great branches of the Siol Tormod and the Siol Torquil.

McLeod Coat of Arms Creation

The crest and motto of the Macleods are a bull’s head and “Hold Fast.” Of it the clan may well be proud, as it commemorates a brave deed by an ancestor at the prompting of sympathy and mercy.

The story goes that one of the Dunvegan chiefs went to pay a visit to Argyle at Inverary. He chanced to arrive on the day appointed for the execution of one of Argyle’s clansmen, whom his chief had condemned to be gored to death by a bull. A sort of arena had been prepared, and Argyle with his guests occupied seats raised above the space in which the tragedy was to be enacted. The bull, bellowing with rage, was led in, and presently the man appeared. He was a fine looking fellow, and showed no signs of fear as he faced the animal. MacLeod implored Argyle to forgive the man. Argyle, with a cruel smile, said it was too late as the man was with the bull in the arena and nothing could save him. ” If I save him,” said MacLeod, ” will you give him to me ?” He sprang to his feet as he spoke, flung aside his cloak, and prepared for prompt action. ” Yes,” said Argyle, ” if you save him he is yours, but you go to your death.” Without another word MacLeod sprang into the arena, rushed for the bull and seized one of its horns by the left hand, and as he did so a cry rang out, ” Vold fast.”

The next instant MacLeod struck a blow with his dirk which reached the beast’s heart. The bull was killed and the man was saved. Even now there are Campbells living at Dunvegan who claim to be descended from the man. whom MacLeod saved, and a horn at Dunvegan is said to be one of those of the bull which MacLeod killed. 1

Early Origins of the McLeod family

The surname McLeod was first found in on the Isle of Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas), where the Siol Tormod branch held the territories of Harris, Glenelg and Dunvegan Castle in Skye; while the Siol Torquil branch held Assynt and Cadboll, and the Island of Ramasay. There were no title deeds for these territories as they had been considered possessions of Norway. Yet when King Haakon asserted his authority over the lands in 1263 King Alexander resisted. Although the Scottish King Alexander signed the Treaty of Perth allowing payment of rent to Norway for all these lands, it was never paid and the whole of the western Isles became Scottish possessions.

McLeod Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents McLeod has been spelled MacLeod, MacCleod, MacCloud, MacLoud and many more.

Early Notables of the McLeod family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Sir Roderick MacLeod of Dunvegan Castle who led 600 of his Clansmen to Ireland to assist in O’Donnell’s rebellion and Lord MacLeod’s Highlanders (73rd Regiment – later the 71st Regiment)…