Gaelic MacLachlainn, 'son of Lachlann,' which see. In Irish record is entry under 1060 'Lochlainn Mac Lochlainn' (AFM.). In 1292 the lands of Gileskel Mclachlan and others in Lorn were erected into the sheriffdom of Lorn (APS., I, p. 91). Gillaspy MacLachlan was present at the parliament held at St. Andrews, 16 March 1308. His name occurs on the seal tag but not in the body of the document. It however may have occurred in the document where it is imperfect, causing a gap in the text (ibid., p. 99). There is an entry in 1327 of payment for maintenance of the son of Reginald son of Lauchlan (ER., I, p. 63). Richard Louchlani (Latin gen.) was custumar of Stirling, 1328, and in the following year he appears as Ricardus filius Lochlane, sheriff of Stirling (ibid., p. 86,179). Some time before 1425 Celestine Maclachlane had grant of the lands of Blarindess, Auchintroig, and Garthclachach in the earldom of Lennox (Levenax, p. 75). Lachlan Maclachlan of that Ilk witnessed a charter by Lord Home at Stirling, 1555-6 (Poltalloch Writs, p. 142). Doug-all M'Ean V' Clauchtlan in Drumleard, was a Glenurquhay vassal, 1638 (BBT., p. 403). The chief seat of the clan is in Cowal, Argyllshire, the lands of which were acquired by Gilleskel Maclachlan in 1292, and as early as 1314 we find their stronghold there referred to as 'Castellachlan,' i.e. Castle Lachlan. Some Maclachlans were for centuries hereditary captains of Innischonnel to the Argylls. They were probably originally CampbelIs as it is highly unlikely the custody of the chief fortress of Lochow would have been entrusted to members of another clan (HP., IV, p. 26). M'Clachlane 1643, M'Claichlane 1647, M'Clauchlane 1619, McClauchlan 1622, Makclachlane 1553, M'Clachlene 1590, Makclauchlane 1591, McLauchlane 1625, M'Lauchan 1621, McLauchleine 1692, Macklawchlane 1661,Maklawchlane 1548, M'Lawchtlane 1558, M'Llauchland 1699, M'Laughland 1667, McLawhlan 1704, Maclouchlan 1314, Vclauchlayne 1585. In 1684 (Parish): McClauchlin, McGlauchlin, McLaughlane, McLauchlen, Machiachlin, Maclachlan of that Ilk is mentioned in 1555 (Poltalloch Writs, p. 142). The name of Andreas Makclotan or Makclowden, student at St. Andrews University, 1467-69 (ERUS., p. 45, 48) is probably the same.

The clan Lachlan or Maclachlan, possessed the barony of Strath lachlan in Argyleshire. The patriarch of the family was Lachlan Mor, who lived in the XIII. cent. B.L.G. Traced to Gilchrist, grandson of Auradan, the common ancestor of all the clans of this tribe. Skene.

The son of Lachlan. The family are descended from Gilchrist, grandson of Anradan, the son of Gillebride, King of the Isles in the twelfth century.