This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Cleland,' a Scotch surname. Mr. Lower says the family were 'of that Ilk' in Lanarkshire in the time of Alexander III (Patronymica Britannica). The London Directory has such forms as M'Leland, M'Lellan, MacLellan, McLellan, Maclellan, and McLelland. I have inserted Cleland and Clelland here as they have an English local appearance.

1748-0. John Cleland and Jane Strud- wick: Marriage Lic. (Faculty Office).

1800. Married — More Cleland and Lydia Capper: St. George, Hanover Square.

This surname is supposed to be derived from lands named Cleland or Kneland in the parish of Dalziel, Lanarkshire. The first of the family in record is said to be Alexander Kneland of that Ilk, temp. Alexander III. He married Margaret, daughter of Adam Wallace of Riccarton father of the Patriot, and Kneland, a follower of Wallace is mentioned several times by Henry the Minstrel (Wallace, III, 55,201, etc.). Anderson (Scot. Nat.) says there are several instances of Cleland of Cleland being called Knieland of that Ilk; thus among the persons who were delated for being art and part of the murder of Darnley were William Kneland of that Ilk and Arthur Kneland of Knowhobbilhill. William Kneland was burgess of Glasgow, 1464 (LCD., p. 182), Gavin Kneland. witness in Linlithgow, 1534 (Johnsoun), and Marjory Kneland appears in Fosh, parish of Monkland, 1546 (Campsie). James Kneland of hat Ilk made his will in 1547 (Comm. Rec. of Glasgow), Kneland of Foskane is mentioned in 1557, Gawin Cleland was denounced rebel in 1568 (RPC., I, p. 621), and William Kneland was burgess-freeman of Glasgow, 1574 (Burgesses). The seal of Andrew Cleland, one of the bailies of Edinburgh, 1612, reads S' Andree Kneland (Macdonald, 438). John Cleaveland or Cleland of Garrenshaugh appears in 1686 (RPC., 3. ser. XII, p. 69, 77), and James Cleiland was a merchant in Edinburgh, 1692 (Pitfirrane, 659). The name may be an early corruption of Cleveland. Roger de Cliveland was found in default for not attending an assize at Carlisle, 1278 (Bain, II, p. 34), and Osbern de Clivelond of Lanarkshire rendered homage, 1296 (ibid., p. 212). Clealand 1633, Cleilland 1678, Clayland 1604, Cliland 1687, Coleeland 1685, Kneband (error for Kneland) 1586.

Most families of these names in Ireland are of Scottish origin. The old Uí Fiachrach sept of Mac Giolla Fhaoláin in Co. Sligo appears to be almost if not quite extinct though possibly it survives as Gilfillan in Leitrim. MIF 57

The family were "of that Ilk," in co. Lanark, temp. Alexander III. and connected by marriage with Sir William Wallace. B.L.G.

Local: From the lands of Cleland in Lanarkshire. James Cleland of that ilk was the associate of Wallace, and received from Robert Bruce several lands in the barony of Calder. He was the ancestor of William Cleland of that ilk, who by Jean his wife, daughter of William Lord Somerville, was progenitor of the Clelands of Cleland, Faskine, Monkland, and Cartness. The family arms are derived from the office they held of hereditary foresters to the Earls of Douglass.