MACCLELLAN, Macclelland, Macleland, Maclalland Maclellan, and Maclelland: Gaelic MacGill' Fhaolain (the Gillafaelan of the genealogical ms. of 1467), 'son of the servant of (S. )Fillan.' Fillan, Elr. Faelan, Olr. Failan, is a reduced form of faelchu, from fail, now faol, 'a wolf.' Maclellans were numerous in Galloway in the latter end of the fourteenth century, and they gave name to Balmaclellan (i.e. Maclellan's town) in the Stewartry. M'Kerlie (III, p. 62) says the lands were granted to John Maclellan by James III in February, 1466, when his name was given to the lands on his bestowing a site for a new church, but I have found no record of this. The lands are mentioned in 1457, in which year Sir Alexander Boyd had sasine of them (ER., VI p. 347). John M'Lelane filius Dungalli Johnsone had a charter of the lands of Balmaclelane from Vedastus Greresone dominus de Lag, which received the royal confirmation in August, 1466 (RMS., II, 907). The earliest record of the surname is in 1305-6 when Patrick, son of Gilbert M'Lolane, with several others, took the Castle of Dumfries from followers of Bruce (Bain, IV, 389). In the reign of David II, Gilbert McGillolane appears as Captain of Clenconnan in Galloway (RMS., I, App. II, 912), a clan of which there is no other record. As Gylbert Mclolane he appears as juror on an inquisition at Dumfrese in 1367 (RHM., II, p. 64 Gillebertus MacLelan Galvediensio (i.e. of Galloway) was elected bishop of Man and the Sudreys (i.e. the South Isles) before 1325 and held the see for two and a half years (Chronica Regum Manniae, 1860, p. 30). Matthew McLolan, knight, and Gilbert, son of Gilbert McLolan, were witnesses, 1347 (Pap. Lett,, III, p. 396). Cane McGillolane witnessed the foundation charter of Sweetheart Abbey in 1359 (Genealogist, new ser. XVI, p. 218). In 1381 John Maklolayn petitioned for a benefice in the gift of the abbot and convent of Glenluce (Gleynluis) in the diocese of Whiteheme (Pap Pet,, I, p. 559,561). Ingeram M'Gillelan held lands in Forfarshire in 1372 (RMS., I, 515), and about the same period or a little later he also held the lands of Dalecarne in the upper half of the barony of Glenstanchere (Crossraguel, I, p. 40). Donald Maklellane appears as Steward of Kirkcudbright in 1457 (ER., VI p. 352), and a later Donald Mclalan witnessed a bond of manrent by Malcolm Moir Makesaig to Ronald Campbell of Barchibayan in 1592 (Coll., p. 198). A number of persons are also recorded in Morar, Inverness-shire, about 1670, the clan Illeulan of the Wardlaw Manuscript (Wardlaw, p. 185). Henry M'Lelann held land in Inverness in 1457 (Irwemessiana, p. 135) Estir Cammis and Cammislittill were let to Thome McFulain (i.e. Maclellan without the 'Gille') in 1480 (ER., VIII, p. 564). Peter McLellan was one of the first to receive from the Crown a grant of land which remained after the expulsion of the Acadians (1755) in Nova Scotia. Some Maclellans in the Aberfeldy district of Perthshire are regarded as a sept of the Macnabs who were the lay abbots of Glendochart. John Mac Donoquhy Mac Lelandis in Muckairn is mentioned under 1596 in connection with a raid (RPC., V). Duncan M'lllewlane in Soccoth was a Glenurquhay vassal, 1638 (BBT., p. 403), Duncan M'Ilelan in Faranbock, parish of Kilbride, 1699 (Argyll), Donald Bane M'llleland in Brawallich, 1717 (Campbell, I, p. 159), and Duncan M'lleolan in Miggerney, 1725 (Dunkeld). The name is also current without Mac and with gille preserved. M'Cleallane 1605 McCleilane 1522, McClelan 1509, Maclelane 1424, Maghellen 1478 Maklellan 1653, McKlellan 1684, Maklellane 1512, M'Lelen 1484, M'Lellane 1471, Makellane 1512.

(Scottish, Irish) The son of the servant of St. Faolan (little wolf).

MACCLELLAN: Gael. Mac-a-ghilledhiolan (pron. Mao-il-iolan.) "The son of the Bastard."