1750 Map of Kintyre - Note: Carskey, Monarua (Muneroy, now Southend), Kilkivan, Lagnacraig (Lecknacreive), Lossit and Lailt, places that figure in the McLaran story
Scottish Roots
The McLaran family emigrated to Australia from the area around the southern end of the Kintyre peninsula. From at least 1770 the family name had been spelt in many ways: McLouran, Lonan, McLeoran etc - see Family Names.
Birth, marriage and census records suggest the family members lived continuously and chiefly in Southend Parish (though Malcolm lived in Campbeltown Parish after 1840) between 1770 and emigration in 1853. Other family members emigrated to USA between 1851 and 1891, and some lived out their lives in England.
A local Kintyre family historian advises that the name "McLeoran" is a variation of the spelling of the name "MacLeran" and the original MacLerans settled in the Southend area early in the 16th century - see Family Names.
Respected historian Rev. William Matheson suggests members of Clan McLean separated from their clan and settled in Argyll near Southend, after this 1527 incident (Wikipedia):
In 1527, Lachlan Maclean of Duart decided to murder his wife, Lady Catherine Campbell, a sister of Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll. He rowed out to "Lady's Rock" one night at low tide and left his wife stranded on the rock to die. Looking out the next day from Duart Castle he observed the rock was devoid of life, so he sent a message of condolence to the earl at Inveraray Castle, indicating that he intended to bring his wife's body there for burial. Maclean duly arrived at Inveraray with an entourage of men and the coffin. He was immediately taken to the dining hall of the castle for refreshment only to discover Lady Catherine waiting for him at the head of the table. She had been rescued during the night by boat from Tayvallich (or possibly Lismore) that had passed by the rock.
No word was said of the incident by Argyll or his sister during the meal and Maclean was allowed to make his escape. He was murdered in his bed in Edinburgh some time later by Sir John Campbell of Calder, Lady Catherine's brother.
The MacLeans who had rescued Lady Catherine Campbell, settled around Southend and cunningly disguised their identity by changing their name to McLeran with the simple addition of a letter "r". A Campbeltown family historian advises that the name "MacLeran" has been subsequently spelt in many ways in Southend:
McLeran, McLeoran, McIlearan, McIlourin, McLauren, McLaurin, McLorin, McLourin, McLewran and Leoran*
Most of the descendants have settled upon "McLaren" as their anglicised surname.
It appears that Kintyre historians favour this story above others to explain the arrival of the MacLerans. No credit is given to the suggestions that the McLeorans arrived in Southend either when escaping retribution after the Battle of Culloden (1646) or as Lowland immigrants (brought in by the Duke of Argyll) in the 16th or 17th centuries.
Recommended reading: http://www.1467manuscript.co.uk/macleran.pdf
* When searching Scotlands People for McLaran ancestors, it is wise to search all these name variations and more.
Birth, marriage and census records suggest the family members lived continuously and chiefly in Southend Parish (though Malcolm lived in Campbeltown Parish after 1840) between 1770 and emigration in 1853. Other family members emigrated to USA between 1851 and 1891, and some lived out their lives in England.
A local Kintyre family historian advises that the name "McLeoran" is a variation of the spelling of the name "MacLeran" and the original MacLerans settled in the Southend area early in the 16th century - see Family Names.
Respected historian Rev. William Matheson suggests members of Clan McLean separated from their clan and settled in Argyll near Southend, after this 1527 incident (Wikipedia):
In 1527, Lachlan Maclean of Duart decided to murder his wife, Lady Catherine Campbell, a sister of Archibald Campbell, 4th Earl of Argyll. He rowed out to "Lady's Rock" one night at low tide and left his wife stranded on the rock to die. Looking out the next day from Duart Castle he observed the rock was devoid of life, so he sent a message of condolence to the earl at Inveraray Castle, indicating that he intended to bring his wife's body there for burial. Maclean duly arrived at Inveraray with an entourage of men and the coffin. He was immediately taken to the dining hall of the castle for refreshment only to discover Lady Catherine waiting for him at the head of the table. She had been rescued during the night by boat from Tayvallich (or possibly Lismore) that had passed by the rock.
No word was said of the incident by Argyll or his sister during the meal and Maclean was allowed to make his escape. He was murdered in his bed in Edinburgh some time later by Sir John Campbell of Calder, Lady Catherine's brother.
The MacLeans who had rescued Lady Catherine Campbell, settled around Southend and cunningly disguised their identity by changing their name to McLeran with the simple addition of a letter "r". A Campbeltown family historian advises that the name "MacLeran" has been subsequently spelt in many ways in Southend:
McLeran, McLeoran, McIlearan, McIlourin, McLauren, McLaurin, McLorin, McLourin, McLewran and Leoran*
Most of the descendants have settled upon "McLaren" as their anglicised surname.
It appears that Kintyre historians favour this story above others to explain the arrival of the MacLerans. No credit is given to the suggestions that the McLeorans arrived in Southend either when escaping retribution after the Battle of Culloden (1646) or as Lowland immigrants (brought in by the Duke of Argyll) in the 16th or 17th centuries.
Recommended reading: http://www.1467manuscript.co.uk/macleran.pdf
* When searching Scotlands People for McLaran ancestors, it is wise to search all these name variations and more.
Gallery of photos:
1. Lady's Rock.
2. Duart Castle.
3. Map of Duart Bay on Isle of Mull.
4. 1880 Map of Southend showing Feorlan (Feorlin), Gartvain (Gartveigh), Keramenach in Strone Glen, Dalavhraddan - all farms that were occupied by McLeoran family members 1770 - 1851.
1. Lady's Rock.
2. Duart Castle.
3. Map of Duart Bay on Isle of Mull.
4. 1880 Map of Southend showing Feorlan (Feorlin), Gartvain (Gartveigh), Keramenach in Strone Glen, Dalavhraddan - all farms that were occupied by McLeoran family members 1770 - 1851.
Q & A: Questions and (possible) Answers:
Q1. Is there any certainty that the McLarans of Dalby are direct descendants of Clan MacLean?
A1. Scholars of Argyll history seem to be in agreement that it is highly likely the MacLerans of Southend originated in the islands off the west coast of Scotland. A representative of the Clan McLean DNA project has suggested Big DNA testing of a direct male descendant of Donald McLaran would answer this question.
Q2. Why did the McLeans who rescued Lady Catherine Campbell settle in Southend?
A2. It is likely that the Campbells offered protection to Catherine's saviours.
Q3. Where are Lismore and Tayvallich?
A3. The Isle of Lismore is little more than a mile from Lady's Rock; Tayvallich is on the western coast of the mainland, around 25 miles south of Duart Castle.
Q4. Is there any connection between the McLarans of Dalby and Clan McLaren?
A4. Probably no, but Y-chromosone testing would settle the matter one way or the other. See Clan McLaren.
Q1. Is there any certainty that the McLarans of Dalby are direct descendants of Clan MacLean?
A1. Scholars of Argyll history seem to be in agreement that it is highly likely the MacLerans of Southend originated in the islands off the west coast of Scotland. A representative of the Clan McLean DNA project has suggested Big DNA testing of a direct male descendant of Donald McLaran would answer this question.
Q2. Why did the McLeans who rescued Lady Catherine Campbell settle in Southend?
A2. It is likely that the Campbells offered protection to Catherine's saviours.
Q3. Where are Lismore and Tayvallich?
A3. The Isle of Lismore is little more than a mile from Lady's Rock; Tayvallich is on the western coast of the mainland, around 25 miles south of Duart Castle.
Q4. Is there any connection between the McLarans of Dalby and Clan McLaren?
A4. Probably no, but Y-chromosone testing would settle the matter one way or the other. See Clan McLaren.