MACCLEISH: Gaelic M'A 'Lios for fuller Mac Gill' Iosa, 'son of the servant of Jesus.' Mychael M'Cleish or M'CIeisch was tenant of the Brewland cum le stallage' in Dumfriesshire in 1376 (RHM., I, p. liii; II, p. 16). Thomas M'Cleche was a voter in parish of Qwilton (Coylton), 1514, and Michaile M'Cleys, witness in Carrik, 1514 (Ros, 52, 84). Duncan M'Cleish was servant to Dwgall M'Dugall in Deweldik, 1588 (Sc. Ant., VI p. 163), another Duncan M'Cleiche was admitted burgess of Glasgow, 1589, and a third Duncan M'Cleishe, burgess freeman in 1627 (Burgesses), Robert M'Gleish, burgess of Irvine, 1686, and John M'Cleish, burgess, 1745 (Irvine II, p. 309,324). McCleisich 1704, M'Cliesh 1703.

MACLEISH, Maclish: Gaelic M'A'Lios, a shortened form of Mac Gill' Iosa, 'son of the servant of Jesus.' It is hard, however, to say, from the old forms (M'Coleis, M'llishe) whether the origin form was Maoliosa or Gilliosa, for m (of Maol) becomes mh or v and disappears and g (of Gille) becomes gh and disappears also, leaving stumps like 'aol and 'ill (Macbain). In 1542 the name appears as Makleis in Muthill, which points to M'Gilliosa, as does the modern form itself. In 1613 Malleis McColleis in North Perthshire was fined for reset of Clan Gregor (RPC., XIV, p. 634), and Duncane M'Coleis in Muyeirnolycht was one of the laird of Glemirquhay's vassals in 1638 (BBT., p, 339). In the Iona charter of 1580 Gillecrist Og M'Culeis in Ardnahow. Donald don McLeich, 1665 (IDR., p. 310). See also Macgleish and Maclese.