Clan MacLean
Clan MacLean (Listeni/mækˈleɪn/; Scottish Gaelic: Mac Gill-Eain) is a Highland Scottish
clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early MacLeans became famous for their
honour, strength and courage in battle. They were involved in many clan skirmishes with the Mackinnons, Camerons, MacDonalds and Campbells. They were fierce Jacobites fighting
in all of the Jacobite risings. There are several different origins for the surname MacLean, however, the clan surname is an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic
MacGilleEathain. This was the patronymic form of the personal name meaning "servant of (Saint) John". Or the "son of the servant of Saint John. The family grew very powerful
throughout the Hebrides and Highlands through allegiances with the Catholic Church in the 9th century, the MacDonalds in the 13th century, the MacKays and MacLeods in the 16th
century.