1750 Map of Kintyre - Note: Carskey, Monarua (Muneroy, now Southend), Kilkivan, Lagnacraig (Lecknacreive), Lossit, Balinacuissag and Lailt, places that figure in the McLaran story
Scottish Roots
From birth, marriage, cemetery, and census records, McLeoran family members lived continuously and chiefly in Southend Parish (though Malcolm lived in Campbeltown Parish after 1840) between at least 1680 and emigration in 1853.
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 eventually 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 alternative explanations that the McLerans / McLeorans / McLaren's arrived in Southend either when escaping retribution following 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
* All these name variations and more appear in Scotlandspeople.
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 eventually 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 alternative explanations that the McLerans / McLeorans / McLaren's arrived in Southend either when escaping retribution following 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
* All these name variations and more appear in Scotlandspeople.
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 / McLeorans 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. No DNA testing has been undertaken to date.
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 / McLeorans 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. No DNA testing has been undertaken to date.
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.