MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
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Right click on Url’s, left click open in “new tab”. But not on Return to Page numbers.
Let have a look Saint Fhaolain.
Of Mac/Mc/M/.
Male Meaning Anglicized Wife Daughter
Mac son (of) Mac/Mc/M’ Mhic Nic
O/Ua grandson (of) O' Uí Ni
Fillan, son of Feriach and St. Kentigerna, was also Fhaolain who became a Saint, he would be Naomh
Fhaolain, "remembering he was not a saint when he was living", and he died 9th January 777, (Julian
Calendar); which is the 20th of January (Gregorian Calendar). (here a story of Naomh Faolan told in
Gaidhlig)
If he had a son, he would be, mac Fhaolain, his wife would be mich’Fhaolain and his daughter would be
nic’Fhaolain.
If Saint Fhaolain had servants/followers, they would be Gille Fhaolain or Maol Fhaolain
If this devotee had a son, he would be mac’Gille Fhaolain or mac'ill Fhaolain
His wife would be called mhic'ill'Fhaolain, and the daughter would be nic'ill'Fhaolain
What would the son of mac'ill'Fhaolain be called?
The cults of St Fillan served an important function far beyond the significance of the man himself. Perhaps, because
of his association with King Robert the Bruce, although it is understood that he had united, through religion the two
great power centers of Scotland, the Scots and the Picts, and he was therefore of central importance to the
establishment of Scotland as a nation.
Of the former saint, who, according to the " Calendars," may have lived any time from the uncertain
period of Servanus to that of King Duncan, the name has a strong resemblance to Lellan in M'Lellan, the
common spelling of Mac Gille Fhaelain ; while Drummond, the family name of the earls of Perth, seems
derived from Druim Muind, the ridge of St. Mundus, the instructor of the second Fillan. ["THE CLAN OF
THE BELL OF ST. FLLLAN”, Page. 29]
St Fillans, at the east end of Loch Earn, is named after the 7th century Scottish / Irish, Saint Fillan of Rath
Erenn, a different Saint Fillan to that of Strathfillan and Glen Dochart.
The character of St. Fillan was described by James Cockburn (1954) as “an Irish Pict” and the “son of a
King – his father being Angus mac Nadfraich who died in battle in 490 AD.”
The other is, St. Fáelán the son of Feriach / Feredach and Kentigerna (ob. AU 734), the daughter of
Cellach Cualann, a Uí Máil King of Leinster who died in 715 AU (Brev. Ab.).
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MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
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The Church of St. Fillan of Sorbie,
Great Sorbie or Sorbie St Fillan SFX, also called *Kirkfillan: granted to Dryburgh Abbey as Sorbie Major by
Sir Ivo de Veteripont, during the lifetime of Roland prince of Galloway, his overlord c.1185, this grant
was confirmed by John bp. of Galloway c.1200, to become effective on the death of the then incumbent
(Dryburgh Lib. nos. 75-80.)
How do we get to Maclellan from Mac Gilli Fhaolain
Mac Lellan = (celt.) Son of the Servant of Fhaolain/Fillan = being formed on a diminutive of faol, for little
or young wolf. ["little wolf", derived from Gaelic fáel "wolf" combined with a diminutive suffix, lan. This was the
name of an Irish saint who did missionary work in Scotland.]
[Gael. Mac Gillfhaolain ("fh" is mute) mac, son + gille, servant + the genit. of Faolan] = mac'gillolain.
the "g" in"gille" became muted, becoming "ill", and a little later "c" is add to "ill" now we have mac
cillolain, (*kil/cill/ill)
the "cillo" is anglicized to "cle" and the "i" in "lain" is muted, now we have mac clelolan,
over time with the influences of other cultures recording (ie. scribes of foreign lands) mac lolan, as in Sir
Matthew MacLolan, 1347
the word "lol" the "o" having a "e" sound "lel", and the "lan" having the sound of "lane" now we have,
mac clellane.
the "c" is then muted and we end up with MacLellane,
finely with the “e” at the end dropped, we end with the surname MacLellan.
[This result is my speculative theory on the study and evolution of the surname.]
From 1000AD to present the Scottish Gaelic language has had influences from, Manx, Irish, Welsh,
Cornish, Breton, Dane, French and Latin, scribes and record keepers were often from other parts of the
country and there influences are reflected in the records of Scotland.
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) language aid web sites
: http://www.omniglot.com/writing/gaelic.htm
: The Sound Structure of Modern Irish
History of Saint Faolan: Lives of the Irish saints. Vol. 1. Page, 134. |&| Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae
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Evolution of the surname through the ages, as found in the records of Scotland and England:
‘Source can be found by clicking on (*#)’
1179, March, Gillefali, celi De - Transaction: Witness: Gift of a toft and croft in the villa of Stracathro and
two acres of land. (*1) {“The Irish term Celi De translates directly as ‘clients of God’. The term ‘cele’ (sg.)
or client signified a specific status in secular law.” (*1a), it was also pronounced “Keledei”
1213, Aug. 5 - 1214 May 11, Gillefalyn, as the previous landholder of Oxton and Channelkirk, County of
Berwick. (*2)
1217, Aug. 10, Gilla Faelain mac Guostuf (Gos Duib), Gille Faelain son of Gos Duib. (*3)
1273, Apr. 2, Cane mac Gilla Fáeláin, knight appears in Dervorgillas foundation charter of Sweetheart
Abbey. His father is Gilla Fáeláin. (*4)
1280-1296, Johanne de Geveliston, knight. Sir. John de Gelston witnessed a grant by Thomas, son of
Andrew de Kyrconeul (Kirkconnell), to the Abbey of Hoemcoltran. (*5)
1282-1296, S. IOHIS DE GEVELESTON. Sir John of Gelston; first Coat of Arms, (Fealty, to Edward I, king of
England.) (*5a)
1305, Patrick son of Gilbert M‘Lolane, (noted as the earliest record of the surname) (*6) (*6.1)
1314-15, March 12, Duugal de Gevelston, grant of lands in Knapedale, &c., by John de Mentethe.
(Duugall de Gyvelestone, the king of England's valet) received grants of lands in Knapdale and
Glenarewyle. (*7)
1314, June 23-24, the battle of Bannockburn, Robert de Brus carries the left forearm of Saint Fáeláin
into battle in a silver box, and becomes his patron Saint. To give thanks for his victory, Robert the
Bruce later established St Fillan's Priory in Strathfillan, there were even earlier churches established by
others dedicated to him in Galloway. (*8)
1319, May 7, Duncan de Gevelston, Two chevrons, Impression broken. Record; Off. Ch. (*9)
1323-24, Jan. 7, Ughtred de Gevelstone, brought news of Andrew de Harcla's capture, rewarded, made
forester of Whynfel forest forfeited by Roger de Clifford . (*10)
1324-1327, Gillebertus MacLelan Galvediensis (of Galloway) Gilbert MacLelan of Galloway he was bishop
of the diocese of Sodor for two years and a half and was buried in the aforesaid church of Bute. He was
called, Giolla Brighde Mac Giolla Faoláin. (*11)
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1329, Gilbert son of Donald fitz (=son of) Cane MacGilollane and Roland son of Cane, mentioned in a
charter. (*12)
1342, April 10, John de Gevelstone, of Galloway, a faithful adherent of Edw. III., has a gift of victuals
wine. (After the Reformation these lands with the tithes were granted to Maclellan of Almorness,
Inquisit. Speciales, 86.) (*13)
1343, King David II granted to James Boyd the lands of Gaulistown in Galloway which John Gaulistown
had forfeited. (*14)
1344, Gilbert MacGillolane is named by David II of Scotland as captanus and parentela of the clan of
Clenconnan. King David’s II reign 1329 to 1371, (RMS i App 2) (*15)
1347, Sir Matthew MacLolan, and Gilbert son of Gilbert MacLolan. (*16)
1354, Nov. 9, Sir Matthew McLollan and John son of Sir Matthew McLollan. (*16a)
1359, Cane McGillolane. (*17)
1362, Gilbert McGillolane, in the reign of David II, appointed as Captain of Clenconnan. (*18)
1367, Gylbert Mclolane, a juror on a Dumfries inquisition. John the son of the Lord of Mathew, Gilbert
McLolane (*19)
1373, Ingram M'Gillelane, was a proprietor in Forfarshire. (*20)
1381, John Maklolayn. (*21) (*21.1)
1424, March 27, Patricio Maclelane dom. de Remistoun / Ravenstone. (*22) (lots of information in this
book).
1426, Oct. 24, John Maclelan de Gillistoun. (*23)
1426, Nov. 26, Patrick MacLelan, dominus de Gevylstoun. (*24) | March 18, page, 5. (*24.1) Patrick, son
of John Maclelane of Gillistoun.
1456, October 9th to 1460, July 11th, Donald Maklellane of Gilestoune, Steward of Kirkcudbright. (*25)
(lots of information in this book).
1457, Henry M'Lelann. (*26) [None found]
1466, John Maclellan granted privileges to the town Balmaclellane. (*27)
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1466, June 19th, Willelmum M'Lelane. (*28)
1471, May 26, Gilb. M'Lellane, senior. (*29), 1471, March 28, Henry Mclellan, witness. (*29.1)
1484, April 28, Alano (Alen) M'Lelen. (*30)
1496-97, Thomas M’Lelane de Bondby, with William M’Lelan and Alano M,Lelane. (*31)
1500 - 1504, Dougal Maclelane, Alexandri Maklelane de Gylston, Johannis Mclellan alias Dungaldsoun,
Willelmi McLellan de Bomby, Thome McLelle de Gatgell. (*32)
1509, Thoma McClelan, 353. Capitulum Glasguense, (Chapter Glagow) (*33)
1511, Allen Malelane, be the Lord for preserving belcheir. (*33.1)
1512, Nov. 1-4, Willelmo Maklellane de Bondby. (*34)
1522, November 7, Malcolm McCleilane, Family Papers of the Hunter of Hunterston. (*35)
1529, October 9, John McClelan. (*36)
1541, May 1, John Makclellane in Thornhill, witness. (*37)
1576, Oct. 3, Thomas M’Clellane, officially adopts the spelling M’Lellan. (*37.a)
1582, July 31, Thomas M’Clellane & Jacobi M’Clellane de Sannik. (*37.1)
1592, Donald Mclalan of Craignish. (*38)
1596, John mac Donoquhy mac Lelandis. (*39) [This is, John son of Donoquhy son of Lelandis.][None
found]
1605, Oct. 8, Thomas M'Cleallane de Glesto(Gelstoun), Guielmi M’Clellane de Gelstoun. (*40)
1617, Oct. 28, Robertus M’Clellan de Nuntoun, Thomas M’Clellane de Nuntoun, (*40.1)
MacLellan. (*41)
1461, May 27, Donald Maclellan of Geleston, * 1481, Nov. 10, Allan Maclellan, * 1537, Dec. 29,
Katharine Maclellan, * 1539, Aug. 18, Andrew Maclellan, * 1540, Jan. 20, Thomas Maclellan of Bomby, *
1540, Mar. 24, Thomas Maclellan, * 1546 May 20, Thomas Maclellan of Bomby & Ninian Murehead, *
1549, Apr. 3, Sir Nicol Maclellan, * 1562, Oct. 2, Sir Duncan Maclellan curate of Mayboll. (*41.1)
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Scotland’s History, in Short:
Scotland in the early middle Ages. The period was marked by comparatively good relations with the Wessex rulers of England, intense internal dynastic disunity and, despite this, relatively successful expansionary policies. Sometime after an invasion of the Kingdom of Strathclyde by King Edmund of England in 945, the province was handed over to King Malcolm I. During the reign of King Indulf (954-962), the Scots captured the fortress later called Edinburgh, their first foothold in Lothian. The reign of Malcolm II saw fuller incorporation of these territories. The critical year was perhaps 1018, when Malcolm II defeated the Northumbrians at the Battle of Carham. The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 initiated a chain of events which started to move the Kingdom of Scotland away from its originally Gaelic cultural orientation. By the late 13th century, scores of Norman and Anglo-Norman families had been granted Scottish lands. The first meetings of the Parliament of Scotland were convened during this period. Scotland in the High Middle Ages After the death of the Maid of Norway, last direct heir of Alexander III of Scotland, Scotland's nobility asked Edward I, King of England, to adjudicate between rival claimants to the vacant Scottish throne. John Balliol was chosen as king, having the strongest claim in feudal law, but Edward used the concessions he gained to undermine and then depose King John. The Scots resisted under the leadership of Sir William Wallace and Andrew de Moray in support of John Balliol, and later under that of Robert the Bruce. Bruce, crowned as King Robert I on March 25, 1306, won a decisive victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn on June 23 - June 24, 1314, but warfare flared up again after his death during the Second War of Scottish Independence from 1332 to 1357 in which Edward Balliol unsuccessfully attempted to win back the throne from Bruce's heirs, with the support of the English king. Eventually, with the emergence of the Stewart dynasty in the 1370s, the situation in Scotland began to stabilize. Wars of Scottish Independence The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between Scotland and England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The First War (1296–1328) began with the English invasion of Scotland in 1296, and ended with the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328. The Second War (1332–1357) began with the English supported invasion of Edward Balliol and the 'Disinherited' in 1332, and ended around 1357 with the signing of the Treaty of Berwick. The wars were part of a great national crisis for Scotland and the period became one of the most defining moments in the nation's history. At the end of both wars, Scotland still retained her status as a free and independent nation, which was her main aim throughout the conflict. The wars were also important for other reasons, such as the emergence of the longbow as a key weapon in medieval warfare.
(*42)
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Sources: = (*#) with number.
(*1) http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/factoid/11553/#}
(*1a) http://www.ultimatehistoryproject.com/celi-de-monks-crusaders-or-reformers.html
(*2) http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/person/6511/#
(*3) http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/factoid/32217/#
(*4) http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/source/3434/#
(*5) http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/factoid/56413/
(*5a) http://db.poms.ac.uk/record/matrix/9658/
(*6) THE GLENKENS 1275-1456, p. 49. | (*6.1) Calendar of documents Relating to Scotland: 1357-1509,
p. 389.
(*7) Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland: 1307-1357, p. 80.
(*8) The Lay of the Last Minstrel ... Ballads and Lyrical Pieces, p. 244.
(*9) Scottish Armorial Seals, p. 129.
(*10) Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland: 1307-1357, p. 154.
(*11) Chronica regum Manniæ et insularum. The Chronicle of Man and the Sudreys, p. 30. / Publications,
p. 118 & 119.
(*12) Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society, p. 130.
(*13) Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland 1307-1357, p. 253.
(*14) Calendonia, page, 314.
(*15) THE GLENKENS 1275-1456, p. 49.
(*16) THE GLENKENS 1275-1456, p. 49.
(*16a) Calendar of Documents relating to Scotland 1307-1357, Vol. III, no. 1578
(*17) The Genealogist, Charter of Sweetheart Abbey, p. 218.
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(*18) Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum : The register of the Great seal of Scotland, A.D. 1306-
1668… p. 574, [912]
(*19) RHM, II, p. 64 [Registrum Honoris de Morton, Vol. II, Ancient Charters, p. 64, no. 83]
(*20) (Reg. Magni Sigilli, p. 116, 13). Registrvm magni sigilli regvm Scotorvm in archivis pvblicis ...,
Volume 1. | Publications, Volume 13, Issue 1. p. 40, 42.
(*21) Calendar of Entries in the Papal Registers Relating to Great Britain and Ireland: Petitions to the
Pope, A.D. 1342-1419, Volume 1, p. 561. | (*21.1) John Maclolayn, p. 559.
(*22) The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland... p. 3, & 962. [12]
(*23) The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland... p. 16, [86]
(*24) The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland... p. 16, [87] | (*24.1) Gilbert Macge of Balmaghie
(*25) Rotuli scaccarii regum Scotorum = "The Exchequer rolls of Scotland", p. 352 & 743.
(*26) Listed but not found!
(*27) The Scots Peerage: Volume 5, p. 258.
(*28) The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland: 1460-1469, p. 434.
(*29) The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland... p. 342, [1624] (*29.1) Calendar of Writs, p. 71, [163]
(*30) The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland... p. 342, [1623]
(*31) The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland... p. 497, [2337]
(*32) Accounts of the lord high treasurer of Scotland, Volume 2, p. 9, 15, 175, 178 & 183.
(*33) Protocols in Latin, by, Glasgow (Diocese) Cuthbert Simon, Charles Roger, p. 276 [353]
(*33.1) Accounts of the lord high treasurer of Scotland, Volume 4. p. 320, p. 641.
(*34) The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland... p. 821, [3776], [8779] to p. 822.
(*35) Scottish Record Society. [Publications], Family Papers of the Hunters of Hunterston, p. 10.
(*36) National Records of Scotland
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(*37) Scottish Record Society. [Publications], Calendar of Writs Preserved at Yester House, p. 71. [576].
(*37.1) Inquisitionum ad Capellam domini regis retornatorum, quae in publicis archivis Scotiae adhuc
servantur, abbreviatio. p. 255, [38].
(*38) Collectanea de Rebus Albanicis, p. 197,198, No. XIV.
(*39) Recorded but not found.
(*40) Inquisitionum ad Capellam domini regis retornatorum, quae in publicis archivis Scotiae adhuc
servantur, abbreviatio. p. 257, [65], [66].
(*40.1) Inquisitionum ad Capellam domini regis retornatorum, quae in publicis archivis Scotiae adhuc
servantur, abbreviatio. p. 260, [137].
(*41) Old Scottish burghal life : illustrated from Kirkcudbright records, p. 2.
(*41.1) National Records of Scotland, search of ‘ MacLellan”
(*42) http://saintsplaces.gla.ac.uk/saint.php?id=101
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Mac or mac = The son / son of Gille or gille = Servant / follower Naomh or naomh = Saint / saint Fael or Faol or Fhaol = wolf Lain or lan = male or masculine, lad, little, young, diminutive when combined. Na or na = The / the
MEDIEVAL NAME
mac’ Gille’ na’ Naomh’ Faelain = son of’ the servant of’ the’ Saint Faelain,
or
mac’ gille’ Faelain’ = son of’ the’ follower’ of Faelain,
'Fhaolain' = Wolf little, as in, ‘little Wolf’
'mac Fhaolain' = son of Fhaolain, as in, 'he is the ‘son of little Wolf'
'Naomh Fhaolain' = Saint Fhaolain, as in, he is ‘Saint little Wolf’
'mac naomh Fhaolain' = son of saint Fhaolain, as in, he is the ‘son of saint Little Wolf'
'gille Naomh Fhaolain' = follower of Saint Fhaolain, as in, he is a ‘follower of Saint Little Wolf'
'mac Gille Naomh Fhaolain' = son of the servant of Saint Fhaolain, as in the ‘son of the servant of Saint
Little Wolf’.
'mac gille Fhaolian'= son of the follower of Fhaolain, as in he is the ‘son of the follower of little Wolf'
'Mac'gille Fhaolain' = The son of the follower of the Fhaolain, as in, 'The son of the follower of little Wolf'
'Mac Gille Naomh Fhaolain' = The son of the servant of Saint Fhaolain, as in. ‘The son of the servant of
Saint Little Wolf’.
‘Mac Gille na Naomh Fhaolain’ = The son of the servant of the Saint Fhaolain, as in, The son of the
servant of The Saint little Wolf.
“Gilla Faelain mac Guostuf “ (Gos Duib)(Cos Duibh) = servant of little wolf, son of Black Foot.
Cos = foot & Duibh = black, is an Irish words and translation.
“Cane mac Gilla Faelain” = Cane son of Servant of little Wolf.
(*42) source.
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MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
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MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
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Meaning of the Coat of Arms
One of the questions I have poised to myself is, when could have John de Gevelston received
his Coat of Arms, who was the King at the time, what deeds in what battle those deeds were
earned, who and where was he providing protecting and what church did he erect or was a
major contributor to.
The records indicate the that Alexander III was the King of Scotland, his reign 1249 to 1286, in
1273, Apr. 2, Cane mac Gilla Fáeláin, knight appears in Dervorgillas foundation charter of
Sweetheart Abbey, and in, 1280-1296, Johanne de Geveliston knight. Sir. John de Gelston
witnessed a grant by Thomas, son of Andrew de Kyrconeul (Kirkconnell), to the Abbey of
Hoemcoltran. But the first description of the Coat of Arms “Or, three Chevrons Sable” is in
1282-1296, S. IOHIS DE GEVELESTON. Sir John of Gelston; first Coat of Arms, (Fealty, to Edward
I, king of England.)
From the metal tincture of his armorial (yellow or gold background) we know he was very
“Generous”, that he earned, three Chevronels, Sable. Sable is the color black and is emblematic
with “Constancy”. The first Chevron is for “protection”, the second Chevron is for, “those who
have built churches or who have accomplished some work of faithful service”, and the third
Chevron is for, “merit by a gallant soldier in battle”.
Sir John de Gelston, 1296. Sir Duncan de Gelston, 1319. Sir Robert MacLellan de
Bombie, 1st Lord Kirkcudbright
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
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The Title of Lord Kirkcudbright
Baronia Anglica Concentrata, Or, A Concentrated Account of All the ..., Volume 1, page 51.
The first Scotch title of this description brought before the house of lords in England for
decision was that of Kircudbright respecting which it appears that Sir Robert Maclellan was by
Charles I in 1633 created a peer of Scotland by the title of lord Kircudbright to hold to him
'suisque ueredibus masculis cognomen et arma dicti Domini Roberti gerentibus'. He died in 1638
without issue male (although it is recorded in his ‘will’ that he did have 4 illegitimate children, 3
sons and a daughter) whereupon he was succeeded by his nephew William Thomas son of his
brother William who was second son of Sir Thomas father of him the said Robert lord
Kircudbright This Thomas second lord Kircudbright also dying in 1647 sp the title devolved upon
his cousin John eldest son of his uncle John who was the third and youngest son of Sir Thomas
father of the first lord At length by failure of all intervening heirs male the title fell to be
represented by John Maclellan an officer at the time in the 30th regiment of foot descended
from Gilbert Maclellan second son of Sir Thomas who was grandfather of Thomas Maclellan the
grandfather of Sir Thomas the father of Robert first lord Kircudbright This John having
presented a petition to his majesty Geo III claiming the title it was referred to the house of lords
by whom in May 1773 it was adjudged that he had a right to the title honor and dignity of lord
Kircudbright claimed in his petition. He was lieutenant colonel in the third regiment of foot
guards and retired from the service in 1789 and died in 1801leaving two sons who succeeded
each other but both deceased without leaving any issue male so that the title is now dormant
though it cannot be deemed extinct so long as a male Maclellan can exist capable of proving a
descent from the original stock.
The Scotch peerages in general had from a very early period a course or line of limitation very
different from those of English creation in which respect it would be inconsistent to adjudge an
English title by a presumed Scotch analogy or a Scotch peerage by English precedent.
NEW LAW OF DESCENT. (Section 5 and 6. -- 3 and 4, William IV., chap. 106.) By these sections
(5 and 6) it is enacted, That no brother or sister shall be considered to inherit immediately from
his or her brother or sister but every descent from his brother or sister shall be traced through
the parent and that every lineal ancestor shall be capable of being heir to any of his issue and in
every case where there shall be no issue of the purchaser his nearest lineal ancestor shall be his
heir in preference to any person who would have been entitled to inherit either by tracing his
descent through such lineal ancestor or in consequence of there being no descendant of such
lineal ancestor so that the father shall be preferred to a brother or sister and a more remote
lineal ancestor to any of his issue other than a lineal nearer ancestor or his issue.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
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MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
15
The meaning and history of Kils.
[as quoted by, James Murray Mackinlay; Influence of the Pre-reformation Church on Scottish Place-
names, Chap. V., page, 74.]
"The history of cill anglicized kil or kill is of special value as it takes our thoughts back to the earliest days
of Celtic Christianity. In reference to the term Canon Isaac Taylor observes Originally this denoted only a
hermit's cell though it was afterwards used to mean the church of which the hermit's cell was so often
the germ. In Ireland alone there are no less than 1400 local names which contain this root and there are
very many in Scotland also In Wales and the neighboring counties a few names occur with the prefix kil
instead of llan. These names may probably be regarded as local memorials of those Irish missionaries
who about the fifth century resorted in considerable numbers to the shores of Wales. The word was
borrowed by the Celtic missionaries from the Latin and is merely cella a cell or church in a slightly
altered form. Regarding the term as it appears in Gaelic Professor Mackinnon remarks, The old
nominative was ceall the genitive singular is cille and the dative cill which last has become the
nominative. The secondary meaning of the term is churchyard."
Of Saint Fillan, Faelan, Faolan, Fhaolan.
[as quoted by, James Murray Mackinlay; Influence of the Pre-reformation Church on Scottish Place-
names, Chap. VII., page, 116.]
"In Inverchaolain parish is a place variously called Killenane and Killelane, the first form embodying,
according to Cosmo Innes, St Finan, and the second St Fillan, the 'f ' being lost through aspiration in both
cases. We find St Fillan's name in Killellan, an estate near Campbeltown; in Killallan, a Renfrewshire
parish (now united to Houston) containing the ruined church of St Fillan, anciently the property of
Paisley Abbey; and in Killellan, near Loch alsh, in Ross shire. It is curious, in connection with the
Inverchaolain example just mentioned, that, in the 'Registrum de Passelet' Killallan is written "Kyllinan."
In Islay is Killinallin, which, Captain Thomas thinks, is either "Cillean n' Fhaelan, St Faelan's Church, or
Cillean Fhaelain little Church of St Faelan." Galloway has two Kilfillans viz, the church of Kilfillan on
Penkilnburn in Sorbie parish, and Kilfillan farm in Old Luce parish. Sir Herbert Maxwell suggests that
Killylour in Kirkpatrick Irongray parish is perhaps Cill an lobhair -i.e. St Fillan the Leper's Church, this
being the saint who gave name to St Fillans at the foot of Loch Earn. In the district of Lochalsh where
Killellan just named is situated, another kil-viz., Kilchoan, i.e. St Congan's Church - is to be found. Congan
was uncle of Fillan, being brother of Kentigerna, the latter's mother. The Rev S Baring - Gould remarks:
"St Congan, more correctly Comgan, was the son of a prince of Leinster and was in youth trained as a
soldier. On succeeding his father he governed his dominions with prudence and rectitude; but on being
attacked by his neighbors he was conquered and obliged to fly, wounded in the foot by an arrow. The
expulsion of Congan from his kingdom led also to that of his sister and her sons. Accordingly Congan,
with Kentigerna and her son Fillan, and seven clerks, betook themselves to Lochelch, where they led a
severe life. After the death of his uncle, St Fillan built a church in his honor, and buried him in Iona.""
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
16
Transactions, Volume, 22: Early Highland Personal names: page, 155.
From Faolan, "little wolf" come M'Ghill' Fhaolain or M'Lellan and Gilfillan also. A further diminutive is
M'Gill Fhaolagain which appears as M'Killigan.
Transactions, Volume, 22: Gaelic Society of Inverness: page, 162,
St Fillan: Gaelic Faolan. Hence Gill' fhaolain, whence Eng. Gilfillan. Gilfillane M'Patrick gives bond to
Glenorchy 1573; in fact, it appears often as a Christian name in the Black Book of Taymouth. In a Lennox
charter of 1217, it is Gilfelan. Two clan names are, hence M'Lellan that is M'Gill Fhaolain and M'Killigan
which in Gaelic is,’M'Gill Fhaolagain’ double diminutive of faol wolf. M'Killican was famous as an
ecclesiastical name in Easter Ross in the 17th century and its habitat since 1600 was Ross and Moray.
Transactions, Volume, 22: Gaelic Society of Inverness: page, 272.
The hero Faolan, written according to pronunciation 'Fillan' in the English "Ossian" becomes 'Fillean', in
the Gaelic being correctly given as "Faolan' only in "Temora" 7, 20. Lollan appears as Ullin.
The Exploits of St Fillan
Little is known of St Fillan’s ministry in Breadalbane but tradition and stories of his exploits in Strathfillan and Glen
Dochart abound. It is said, that when a wolf attacked his oxen, killing one, while they were ploughing, that the wolf
returned and submitted to being yoked, helping Fillan with the ploughing and the building of the priory. On another
occasion, Fillan parted company with Adoman (St Columba’s biographer) at Tyndrum, and journeyed on to Killin.
When he arrived in Killin the villagers were living in dread of an enormous boar with horns the size of plough shares.
St Fillan immediately set out to hunt the beast with his hound Dileas. The villagers did not expect to see Fillan again.
He hunted the beast for three days and three nights, before he found it rooting in undergrowth beneath a rowan tree.
St Fillan gripped his wooden club and prayed for strength. The huge beast turned and charged, scything through the
vegetation with a fierce and thundery roar. St Fillan brought the club down on the boar’s had with all his strength. The
boar lay lifeless.
The killing of terrifying beasts is not uncommon in Scottish hagiography (the life stories of saints). St Columba killed a
boar on Skye in similar circumstances. The saint is, therefore, presented as more than godly; he is also a great hero,
a man of enormous strength and courage. In this way the tradition of the mythical hero in Gaelic culture (the Ossian
tradition) is carried through into religious life. Quoted from “Clan MacNab.com”
St Fillans, Perthshire is a village at the eastern end of Loch Earn, also St. Fillans Church, near
the remains of the 7th century Pictish hill fort of Dundurn. “This fort is presumed to be the place
mentioned in the Annals of Ulster as being under siege in 683, and to have been a principal Pictish stronghold;
it may have originated in the Iron Age”. “Canmore.com” aerial view: http://canmore.org.uk/collection/655511
Strongholds of the Picts: The Fortifications of Dark Age Scotland, where it is said Faelan Amhlobhar of
Rath erann sat upon his chair and preached to the Picts.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
17
In the book “The Martyrology of Donegal: A Calendar of the Saints of Ireland. Translated from
the original Irish.” We will find there were no less than 20 Faelan’s with the month and day of
the remembrance, and the page they can be found on.
1. Faelan of Cluain maosgna Jan 9. page, 11. (in Feara tulach.) (This is St. Faelan of Glen Dochart)
2. Faelan of Cluain moescna Aug 26. page, 229. (in Fir Tulach in Meath.)
3. Faelan of Rath aidhne Sep 30. page, 263. (in Dal Araidhe.)
4. Faelan Amhlobhar of Rath erann Jun 20. page, 175. (the Stammerer of Rath Erann in Albain; and
of Cill Fhaelain in Laoighis in Leinster of the race of Aenghus son of Nadfraech i.e., King of
Munster.) (This is Faelan of Comrie and Loch Earn and after whom the village of St Fillans is
named.)
5. Faelan Finn of Cill cholmai May 5. page, 121.
6. Faelan A M Oct 31. page, 289. (Abbot, brother of Fursa, It was he that suffered martyrdom in
France.)
7. Faelan and Fursa. page, 116 n. 1.
8. Faelan Mar 31. page, 91.
9. Faelan May 28. page, 141.
10. Faelan Jun 6. page, 149.
11. Faelan Jun 23. page, 179.
12. Faelan Aug 24. page, 227.
13. Faelan Sep 30. page, 263.
14. Faelan Oct 12. page, 275.
15. Faelan Oct 19. page, 279.
16. Faelan Nov 5. page, 299.
17. Faelchu of Finnglas Sep 24. page, 257. (of Fionnghlass.)
18. Faelchu B Apr 30. page, 115. (Bishop.)
19. Faelchu May 23. page, 137. (Faelchu. After this name the more recent hand add in Roman
characters "Suit-brectus Marian")
20. Faelchu Jul 20. page, 197.
Coat of Arms & Family Crests Store
GILFILLAN: families are connected with Clan MacNab. The name in
Gaelic is Gille Fhaolain. Several individuals of the name appear in
Scottish records in the 12th and 13th centuries. The use of fixed
surnames or descriptive names appears to have commenced in France
about the year 1000, and such names were introduced into Scotland
through the Normans a little over one hundred years later, although
the custom of using them was by no means common for many years
afterwards. During the reign of Malcolm Ceannmor (1057-1093) the
latter directed his chief subjects, after the custom of other nations, to
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
18
adopt surnames from their territorial possessions, and there created 'The first erlis that euir was in
Scotland'. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and
in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot,
the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and
embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. In the last quarter
of the 12th century Gillefali Kede witnessed a grant to the Abbey of Arbroath. Gillefalyn (without
surname) held land in Lauderdale in 1213. Gilefan Mac Guostuf, witnessed a charter in the year 1217.
Gilofan Kerd, a mariner in the service of Alexander de Argadia, was, with others, arrested at Bristol on
suspicion of piracy in 1275. Gilofan (without surname) was park keeper at Cardross in 1329. Surnames
before the Norman Conquest of 1066 were rare in England having been brought by the Normans when
William the Conqueror invaded the shores. The practice spread to Scotland and Ireland by the 12th
century, and in Wales they appeared as late as the 16th century. Most surnames can be traced to one of
four sources, locational, from the occupation of the original bearer, nicknames or simply font names
based on the first name of the parent being given as the second name to their child. {image & quote
from, 4crests.com}
Gaelic Society of Inverness: Transactions, Volume 22, page, 161
Gille: is used either with saints names or with the commoner adjectives descriptive of personal
characteristics: Gille Brighde, Gille-ban,” fair gille.” The word ‘gille’ is much corrupted after ‘mac’; the ‘g’
disappears and the first syllable becomes ‘il ‘or ‘ill’ as in Gill Sheathain, M’llleathain, and, lastly simple’I ‘
for ‘ill’ - M’Leathain now in English M’Lean,” St John's slave.” The Black Book of Taymouth among others
shows extraordinary curtailments of this kind: M’Lechrist for M’Ule chriosd ; M’Levor rie or Maklivorrie
for M’llle mhoire; M’Lehoan for M’Gille chomhghain,” St Comgan”; M’Lephadrick for M’Gillephadraig;
and M’Lecheir and Maklinow for M’Gille chiair and M’Gille naoimh. Indeed ‘I’ after ‘mac’ usually
indicates a curtailed ‘gille’.
Cyclopaedia.net
Bran mac Fáeláin (died 838) was a King of Leinster of the Uí Dúnchada sept of the Uí Dúnlainge branch of
the Laigin. This sept had Reviews their royal seat that Líamhain (Lyons Hill, on the Dublin-Kildare
border). He was the nephew of Fínsnechta Cethardec mac Cellaig (died 808) and grandson of Cellach
mac Dúnchada (died 776), previous kings. His father FAELAN (died 804) had BEEN abbot of Kildare. Bran
ruled from 835 two 838.
Index of Names in Irish Annals: Gilla Fáeláin
Middle Irish Gaelic (c900-c1200) nominative form: Gilla Fáeláin
1050, Donnchad m.Gilla Fhaelan ri H. Failghi
The History of Brechin, to 1864: page 300.
Turpin 1178: Turpin is mentioned in various charters granted by his successors. There is a confirmation
granted by Turpin to the Abbey of Arbroath signed before; "Hiis tcrtibus Hugone Episcopo Sancti
Andree: Bricio Priore Kele deorum de Brechin", &c., R.E.B. vol.ii., page 269; and a charter granted by him
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
19
to the abbey of Arbroath of a piece of land in Stracathro, signed before "Bricio Priore de Brechin,
Gillefali Kelde, Bricio Capellano, Mathalan Kelde, Makbeth Maywen." R.E.B. page 270.
Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland Preserved in Her Majesty's Public Record Office, London:
A. D. 1272-1307, page, 205.
Ragman Rolls
1296, Gille Folan le " (del counte de Striuelyn), Gille Folan le Rous (the Red) clerk of Stirlingshire.
SURNAME DICTIONARY/ SLOINNTE NA h-EIREANN
Cleland: fairly numerous: Belfast, N Down. Ir. Mac Giolla Fhaoláin. But generally of Scottish origin, being
the same Scots Gaelic name. Usually MacClelland, q.v.
Mac Giolla Fhaoláin: Mac Clellan,-nd: líonmhar in Ultaibh. Is de bhunadh Albanach na daoine seo - bhí
siad chun tosaigh i nGallghallaibh - ach bhí clann dúchasach i Sligeach, tráth agus seans go bhfuil cuid
acu fós ann faoin leagan Gilfillan. Ainm coitinn a b'ea Faolán, leis an mbrí: mac tíre beag.
MacClelland: numerous: Ulster generally etc. Ir. Mac Giolla Fhaoláin, Faolán is an early first name
meaning "little wolf". They were a sept of Uí Fiachrach (Sligo) but modern Mac Clellands seem to be of
Scottish origin from Galloway. MIF.
MacLelland: fairly rare: Antrim etc. Ir. Mac Giolla Fhaoláin, devotee of St Faolán, a first name meaning
"little wolf".
Of Gelston, Gevelston, Geveleston, Gevelestone, Gilestoun and Gyveleston
Publications of the Scottish History Society: page, xvii.
1207, Sir Ralf de Camapania witness a Charter by Alan, son of Roland, to Kelso along with Sir Patrick de
Culwen and Sir William de Geveleston. (Liber de Calchou, page, 203).
CALENDAR OF CLOSE ROLLS: 1279-1288
Edward I., page, 409
1286, January 24th, William de Gyveleston came before the king on Friday the feast of the Conversion
of St Paul and sought to replevy his land in Gyyelton which was taken into the king's hands for his
default against Mariota late the wife of William Homeden This is signified to the justices of the Bench
The Heads of Religious Houses: England and Wales, II. 1216–1377
Index of Heads
Gevelston John de Prior of Nocton Park
John de Gevelston (Geveleston) 1292-1296 Cellarer of Nocton Park, eln conf. 26 July 1292 (ibid., 168-9).
Eln conf. (sic) 7 Aug 1292 (ibid., IV, 14-15). Res. by 14 Aug 1296 (ibid., I, 109) {Cellarer = the person in a
monastery who is responsible for the provisioning and maintaining the supply of food and drink.}
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
20
Patentrolls, Edward II. – Vol. 3.
1318, November 12th, Uthred de Gevelston.
Scottish Armorial Seals. page, 129.
1039. GEVELSTON, John, Dumfriesshire Three chevrons Shield within round tracery
Legend: S * IOHIS DE GEVELESTON, Diam. in. Record Off. Homage, A.D. 1296, detached seal 536, Bain, ii.
His son,
1040. GEVELSTON, Duncan, Two chevrons Impression broken Record Off. Ch. 7 May 1319, SCOTTISH
ARMORIAL SEALS, 129.
Calendar of the Close Rolls Preserved in the Public Record Office ..., Volume 1
Edward III. page, 381
1328, October 26th, Peter de Gevelston, manor of Lechamstede co. Berks. (died sometime before 1328.)
Calendar of the Close Rolls Preserved in the Public Record Office: 1288-1296, page, 490.
1296, Sept. 8th, To the sheriff of Cumberland. Order to cause to be delivered to Dougal (Duuegallo) son
of John de Geveleston the custody of certain lands in Hoton Johan that belonged to William de Hoton, if
the lands have been taken into the king's hands solely by reason of his order to take into his hands the
lands of John de Balliolo, late king of Scotland, and of others who have lands within the realm of England
and who dwell within the realm of Scotland, as John de Geveleston lately granted the custody to Dougal
until William's heir should come of age and the king, at the instance of Master John de Cadamo, his clerk
wishes to show favor to Dougal.
Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland: 1307-1357
Relating to Scotland, Edward II., page, 149.
1322-23, February 28th, 805. The King to his keepers of the Great seal. Orders a pardon of all his
offences to Ughtred de Gevelestone who lately brought the good news of the capture of the rebel
Andrew de Hartcla. Knaresburgh [Privy Seals (Tower) 16 Edw. II. File 1.]
Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland: 1307-1357
Relating to Scotland, Edward III., page 253.
1342, April 10th, 1385. Warrant on the Dublin Exchequer to give to John de Geveleston of Galloway who
has faithfully adhered to the King in spite of many losses, a cask of wine and 10 qrs of wheat.
Westminster [Close 16 Edw, III, p. 1, m. 23.]
History of the Lands and Their Owners in Galloway: With Historical ..., Volume 1
Lochronald, page, 638
We cannot trace much in regard to the early proprietors of these lands. The first notice we find is dated
16th September 1585 when William son of Alexander M'Clellan of Gelston was infeft in the lands of
Lochranald.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
21
Special Thanks to
Stewartry Archaeological Trust
SC040018
NEWSLETTER NO.6
The INGLESTON MOTTE EXCAVATION
Under the watchful eyes of Robert McCubbin and Roy Riches excavation, for an eleventh season, on the
motte hill at Ingleston, Gelston, has continued to the south and western perimeters of the summit and
has exhibited burnt timber construction and defence lines. This was highlighted by linear features
comprising iron nails and rivet heads from burnt timbers along with charcoal, burnt clay and daub.
Further shards of local galena-glazed pottery were also in evidence this leading to the dating of the site
to c. 1180-1230 AD. A double furnace was excavated on the South east perimeter of the summit and
produced fiddle-key head nails, glassy slag and furnace waste.
The burnt remnants of a timber tower were gradually uncovered in the shape of burnt timbers and large
quantities of iron nails. An area of flooring to the inside of the tower exhibited some cobbling and a hint
that part of the tower base may have been based on the sill-beam construction method. On previous
excavation evidence it has been determined that there were two phases of a timber tower on site and
that both had been destroyed by fire during a period of civil unrest in Galloway between 1175 and 1234
AD. South of this tower feature was an apparent area of smithying where a cobbled yard or floor
exhibited a quantity of hammer-scale.
An iron arrowhead, was found adjacent to this feature. Further excavation of the outer defence line on
the perimeter of the summit has uncovered evidence of a third stone tower base for a small defensive
timber tower and an item of particular interest found on the edge of the northern defences was an iron
arrowhead. An iron spearhead, a broken loom weight and a spindle whorl, recovered from the western
perimeter, suggest occupation by both men and women in the medieval era. It is more likely that the
timber towers provided a permanent home for some of the retainers of John de Gevelston who built the
defences in the late 12th century.
Although the progress of the excavation has been adversely affected by record rainfall during 2008. The
excavation is ongoing and further developments are expected next season. The thanks of the Stewartry
Archaeological Trust, now a Registered Charity, are due to all those who have given up their time and
knowledge towards helping us to write more pages in Scotland’s history. To the Landowners of both
site, Lt Gen Sir Norman and Lady Tessa Arthur at Newbarns and David and Claire Smith at Ingleston our
grateful thanks for allowing us on their land and lending us their support in our archaeological ventures.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
22
Surname Spellings in Scottish, Irish and English Records:
Maclelland, Macclellan, Maccleland, Macleland, Maclalland, Maclellan, Maclelland, M'lelane, M'lolane,
Mcgillolane, Mclolane, Maclelan, Mclolan, Maklolayn, M'gillelan, Maklellane, Mclalan, M'lelann,
Mclellan, M'illewlane, M'ilelan, M'illeland, M'ileolan, M'cleallane, Mccleilane, Mcclelan, Maclelane,
Maghellen, Maklellan, Mcklellan, M'lelen, M'lellane and Makellane.
The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland: 1306-1424
How many different ways we will find the spelling of the surname Maclellan between 1306 & 1424 in,
The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland: 8 ways.
Makellane, Maclellane, M’Lelane, Makclellan, Makclellane, Mackclellane, Makcellane, and Makchellane.
Charter #: 213, 217, 317, 834, 927, 1352, 1366, 1530, 1608, 1664, 1727, 1737, 1387, 1740, 2266, 2494,
2600, 2944, 3063 and 3309.
Persons: Name & Charter: Number
Maklellane de Bomby, #834
Thomas, #213, 317
Thomas de Gilestoun, #927, 1352, 1366, 1366 n.
Alanus, #1737
Andrew, #3309
Bartholomeus, #2944
Beatrix, #1608
David, #2944, 3063
Gilbert, #213
John of Auchleyne, #213, 1352, 1366, 1664
John of Kirkcudbright, #213
John of Ingelistoun, #1366, 1727
John of Bute, #1377
John of Cowynd, #1664
Katherian spouse to Kennedy, #1740
Malcolmus, #1740
Nicholaius, #1737
Patrick, #927, 1352
Thomas, #2600
William duo. #317
William of Kirkcormok, #1352
William of Bomby, #1387, 1737
William of Nuntoun, #2494
Registrum Honoris de Morton: Ancient charters: page, 64.
# 83: Gylbertum M'lolane = Gilbert MacLolan in the time of King David II 1329-1371.
Click for full size.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
23
Volume LIX: 3 Clement VII. Anti-Pope
Petitions to the Pope 1342-1419. Originally published by Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1896.
1381. (f. 40.) John Maklolayn. For a benefice in the gift of the Cistercian abbot and convent of Clenluys
(Glenluce), in the diocese of Whitherne. Granted. Dated as above.
Remistoun / Ranlischach / Revinstoun / Rewinstoun / Ravenstone, of Sorbie
We find some difficulty in ascertaining the first spelling of the name of this property. It is found
as Lochtoun alias Remistoun in 1585 and so spelled by Pont in his survey taken soon after that
period In 1633 it is Ravin ston again Remistoun in 1643 and Lochtoun alias Raven stone in 1652
which latter name continues Symson in 1 684 states the name to be Ravinstone commonly
called Remeston which proves that he considered the latter spelling a corruption.
Ravenstone [pron. Raimstun] (P. Remistoun; W.P. mss. Loch-toun; Inq. ad Cap. 1585, Remistoun, alias
Lochtoune; 1620 Clochtoun, alias Remistoun). “Glasserton” There are considerable ruins on a large
crannog here whence the name Lochtoun. “Studies in the Topography of Galloway: page, 275”
The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that
Kingdom.
By George Crawfurd, Esq;. Crawford, George, fl. 1710.
Sir Patrick Maclellan of Bombie, Nephew to the Lord Gray by his Mo|ther in the Reign of King James II.
happening to take part with the Lord Harris his near Ally against the Earl of Douglas, Maclellan was
besieged by the Earl in his own Castle of Raebery, which at last he forced him to surrender; and
notwithstanding the King's Interposition, he put him to Death; which Deed after wards cost the Earl his
Life. Sir Patrick Maclellan was interred in the Abbey Church of Dundrenan, under a Monument of Free-
Stone, containing his Effigies, as big as the Life, with this Inscription in great Roman Capitals.
Hic jacet vir honorabilis Dominus Patricius Maclellanus. Dominus de Wigtoun, & Vice comes Gallovidiae
qui obiit Anno Domini millesimo quadringentesimo quinquagesimo secundo, cujus anima requiescat in
pace.
It is told, that the Writs and Evidents of Bombie were destroyed, which is the Reason I have not seen
much concerning them before that Period, tho by the Tra|dition they were then so numerous and well
spread in Branches, that there were no fewer than twelve Knights of the Name, concerning some of
whom I have seen Writings which make them very considerable in the Government of Murdoch Duke
of Albany.*
*” I have seen a Charter in the Hands of Robert Maclellan of Barclay in the 1422, wherein there is
mention of Sir John Maclellan of Gelstoun▪ The rest of the Knights of the Maclellans before the
Forfaulture. The Tradition says, were Ravenstoun, Kilchrichie, Sorby, Glenshinnock, Troquhain, Barholm,
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
24
Kirkonell, Kirkormock, Kirkgaunan, Bardrochat, Borg, Coven and Barscob, all extinct save the last, which
of consequence is an ancient Family.”
Death Record of Sir Robert McLellan Lord Baron Kirkcudbright.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
25
http://www.rps.ac.uk/
Parliamentary Record
Historical records of the Scottish parliament
[1473/7/64]
Concerning the lamentable complaint made by Patrick MacLellan for the wrongful withholding of him
from the possession of the lands of Culross, to which he was restored during the time of our sovereign
lord [James II], whom God absolve, and thereafter expelled from there by Robert, the late Robert
[Boyd], lord Boyd, the lords auditors of complaints in this parliament, with the said lords of our
sovereign lord's special council, have seen at length the evidence and rights that the said Patrick has
regarding these lands, both acts and decrees of parliament, and investigations and witnesses ordained
to be procured by our sovereign lord, through these they have clearly understood that the said Patrick
has been and still is wrongfully expelled and withheld from the said lands of Culross, and therefore they
counsel our sovereign lord to immediately return the same to him and to make him protected in the use
of it, and they humbly exhort and beseech his grants heretofore.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1476/7/22]
In the action and cause moved by Morris MacNeish against James MacCulloch of Cardoness, Rankin
Muir, William Muir, James Linton, Brice Stewart, John MacKelly, Archibald Muir, Thomas MacCulloch,
Donald MacLellan, Archibald MacLellan, John MacLellan of Barsalloch, Andrew Law, Patrick Kessock,
John Adougan and Thomas MacKelly, concerning the error committed by them, as was alleged, in the
serving of a brieve of inquest purchased by John Akerson, regarding 16s worth and 8d worth of land
from the lands of Gategill MacGilvernock,† the said Morris being present through his procurator and the
said persons being lawfully summoned and often called but not compearing, the allegation of the said
procurator and the depositions of witnesses being heard and understood at length, the lords auditors,
fully advised, find by the depositions of the said witnesses that the said persons have erred in serving
the said brieve in so far as they have found John Akerson, cousin of the late Margaret Akerson, lawful
heir to the said late Margaret, for the said 16s 8d of the said land, where they should have found him
heir only of 8s 4d worth thereof, and the said Morris another 8s 4d worth of the same proportionately,
and that Brice Stewart has not erred because he said against all the said person and the party to raise
another brieve if it please him and that the said person be punished at the king's will according to the
form of the act of parliament made thereupon.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1476/7/72]
In the action and cause pursued by Alexander Muir against William MacLellan of Bombie regarding the
wrongful taking and withholding from him of an ox, taken by the said William, the said Alexander being
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
26
present in person and the said William peremptorily summoned and often called but not compearing
either by himself or through his procurators, the lords auditors, fully advised, decree and deliver that
because the said Alexander produced an act of deliverance from the lords of council under white wax
which mentioned that the steward of Kirkcudbright and his deputies were discharged from their offices
at the time the brieve of the lands of Bardroched† were served, the sasin given thereupon was of no
value, and therefore the said William shall restore, hand over and return to the said Alexander the said
ox taken by him, or otherwise the price and value thereof that [the ox] was worth at the time he was
taken, and ordain that letters be written to distrenzie him of his lands and goods for that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1478/6/70]
Regarding the summons purchased by Thomas MacKettrick against Thomas MacLellan, Walter Bonby,
Maurice MacArthur and Malcolm MacBirnie, concerning four merks worth of a land and a half lying in
Glenkens, the lords auditors ordain that the said parties obtain brieves of division or any other coursable
brieves from our sovereign lord's chapel which they consented to before them, because the said
Thomas MacLellan alleges that their lands are not from the lands that MacKettrick has entered, and
both the said parties have consented to Alexander Stewart of Greenan and James Lindsay of Fargarth
jointly and severally to be stewards of Kirkcudbright in that part for the serving of the said brieves.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1479/3/87]
The lords auditors decree and deliver that John MacLellan shall satisfy and pay Sir Mungo Crichton a
merk owed to him for certain corn and 10s for an ox as was sufficiently proved before the lords, and 10s
to two witnesses who testified in the said matter, and ordain letters to be written to distrenzie him of
his lands and goods for this.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1482/12/10]
In the action and cause pursued by Peter of Murray against Thomas MacLellan of Bombie, alderman of
Kirkcudbright, Gilbert Akerson and John Robinson, bailies of the same, for the wrongful occupation of
40s worth of land of the Castleward of Kirkcudbright for the past 5 years pertaining to the said Peter
through a tack, as was alleged, both the said parties being present in person, their rights, reasons and
allegations seen, heard and understood at length, because the said alderman and bailies admitted the
occupation of the said lands for one year of the said 5 years and the rental shown by the said Peter for
the lease made to him thereupon for the said 5 years, the lords auditors appoint 11 January next, with
continuation of days, for the said Peter to prove the value of the occupation of the said lands for the
said year, and of his costs and injuries sustained through it. And as to its occupation for the remaining 4
years which was denied by the said alderman and bailies, the said lords appoint the same day for the
said Peter to prove as well that the said alderman and bailies occupied the said Castleward [for] the said
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
27
4 years and the value thereof, with his costs and expenses sustained through it in similar fashion, and
ordain him to have letters to summon his proof, and both parties are summoned according to the act.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1484/2/130]
Alan MacLellan compeered before the lords auditors and protested that because he was summoned to
the suit of Fois Pentego, and [he] would not compear to pursue him according to the tenor of his
summons, therefore he should not be heard against them in judgement until he has paid his costs and
expenses and until new summons [are issued].
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1488/10/70]
13 October, the Lord’s auditors sat
In the action and cause pursued by Margaret of Lennox, the spouse of the late Patrick MacLellan of
Gilestoun, against Robert Lochcotts, John Ochiltree, younger, Thomas Thornton and David Cairns, for
the wrongful detention and withholding from her of the mails and fermes of her lands of Davidston for
the past three years and more, annually totalling 6 chalders of oats priced 10s per boll, 14 bolls of barley
priced 18s per boll, 5 oxen priced 2 merks a piece, a horse priced 40s, and to fulfil certain points and
articles contained in an indenture made between her and Patrick Muirhead as those who become
debtor for the said Patrick in the said indenture for the fulfilling of the same, as was alleged, with John
Robinson and Patrick March, and for the destruction of her place of Davidston and spoliation of the
household furnishings and timber work totalling the value of £10, and for the costs and injuries
sustained by her through this, the said David Cairns being present in person, the said Robert, John and
Thomas being lawfully and peremptorily summoned, often called but not compearing, the rights,
reasons and allegations of the said Margaret seen, heard and understood at length, the lords auditors
decree and deliver that the said David Cairns shall content and pay the said Margaret the sixth part of
the said victuals and goods according to the form of the aforesaid indenture,† because he made him one
of the debtors for the said Patrick, and †that our sovereign lord's letters be directed to distrenzie the
said David and his goods for this, and [the lords] appoint 8 January next, with continuation of days, for
the said Margaret to prove that the rest of the said persons became debtor for the said Patrick, as is
contained in the indenture, and the value of her household furnishings, damage and injuries and the
value and of the said corns and goods and that she† †letters be directed to summon her witnesses and
the party to hear them sworn. And as for the two persons debtors that she alleges are dead, that she
causes the intromitters to be called with their goods for their part of the said goods, deducting to the
said persons in the payment of the said corns 4 chalders, a boll and a firlot of oats, which she admitted
in the presence of the lords had been paid to her for the said three years.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1489/1/91]
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
28
In the action and cause pursued by Alexander Hamilton of Innerwick, knight, and Hugh Hamilton of
Ballencrieff and their tenants, on the one part, against Robert Carlyle, on the other part, for the
wrongful decision and withholding from them of 32 cows and oxen, the price of each ox 32s and of each
cow 24s, 13 horses and mares, the price of each 40s, a horse priced 20 merks, with other goods and
household furnishings totalling the value of 80 merks, which goods were spulzied and taken from the
said Alexander, Hugh and their servants and tenants by Malcolm Dougalson, just as he admitted before
the justice in the last justice ayre of Kirkcudbright, and the said Robert became surety for the
satisfaction of the party, as the adjournal purports, as was alleged, and also in the action pursued by the
said Robert Carlyle against Thomas MacLellan of Bombie and the said Malcolm Dougalson, for the
release, relieving and keeping of the said Robert unharmed and uninjured for the said goods at the
hands of the said persons, as those who were obliged to do so, as was also alleged, all the said parties
being present themselves and through their procurators, their reasons and allegations seen, heard and
understood at length, because it was alleged by the procurators of the said Malcolm Dougalson that he
had paid all the said goods, and that he was distrenzied for that by our sovereign lord's letters, and that
the sheriffs who priced his goods had priced them greatly within their value, and he offered to prove the
said payment, the lords auditors therefore appoint 14 October next, with continuation of days, for the
said Malcolm to prove the said payment and restoration of the said goods or their value, and ordain him
to have letters to summon his witnesses and the parties are summoned according to the act, and failing
his proof that letters be written to distrenzie the said Robert Carlyle of his lands and goods for the
aforesaid goods and sums, subtracting from him the sum of £54 in making the said payment because the
said Sir Alexander and Hugh admitted they had been paid the same. And further, the lords decree and
deliver that the said Thomas MacLellan and Malcolm shall release, relieve and keep the said Robert
unharmed and uninjured for the payment of the said goods and sums, just as they were obliged [to do]
and as they had agreed in the presence of the lords, and ordain that our sovereign lord's letters be
similarly directed to distrenzie them for that, and regress [is] again to be had for the said Sir Alexander
and Hugh if they take more goods than pertain to them, because there are more goods than they seek
undivided contained in the copy of the adjournal signed by the hand of Master Richard Lawson, justice
clerk, shown and produced before the lords. And if it pleases the said Malcolm to take summons for the
sheriffs who apprised his goods, for their improper execution and for his damage and injuries, justice
will be administered to him in that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1490/2/44]
The lords auditors decree and deliver that Alexander MacLellan of Gileston shall content and pay
William MacLellan, his brother-german, the sum of £10 usual money of Scotland owed to him as was
proven by the said Alexander's obligation under his seal shown and produced before the lords, and
ordain that our sovereign lord's letters be directed to distrenzie the said Alexander of his lands and
goods for that and the said Alexander was summoned to this action, often called but did not compear.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1490/2/46]
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
29
William MacLellan compeered before the lords auditors and protested that because John Maxwell,
brother-german of Edward Maxwell of Tinwald, and Elizabeth MacLellan, his spouse, †caused him to be
summoned to their suit but would not compear to pursue him, that therefore etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1490/2/90]
The action and cause pursued by John Kennedy of Carlock against Patrick MacNeil, John MacNeil,
Thomas MacCaws, Thomas of Rowan, Herbert of Dronane, John MacCrery, John MacMakan, Patrick
MacMaster, Christian Muir, Morris MacAlexander and John MacLellan for the wrongful occupation and
manuring of £10 worth of his lands pertaining to the said John in inheritance, as was alleged, and for the
occupation of certain other lands and withholding of a part of the mails of the same, and for certain
other actions, as is contained in the summons, is continued by the lords auditors until 15 June next, with
continuation of days, in the same form and effect as it is now without prejudice of party, and ordain the
said Patrick, John, Thomas, Thomas, Herbert, John, John, Patrick, Morris and John MacLellan to have
letters to call their warrant on the said day, and both parties are summoned by their procurators
according to the act.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1494/11/19]
Thomas MacLellan of Bombie compeered before the lords auditors and protested that because Nicol
MacGhie of Balmaghie, Thomas MacGhie, Alexander MacGhie and John Cunningham caused him to be
summoned etc., and would not compear to pursue him, that therefore etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1535/49]
Protestation of the lord chancellor for his mother
On the which day [Gavin Dunbar, archbishop of Glasgow], lord chancellor, protested in the name and on
behalf of Dame Janet Stewart, lady Mochrum, his mother, in the plea between [James Kennedy], laird of
Blairquhan and [Thomas MacLellan, laird of] Gelston, touching the mails of the lands of Castelcruke and
Killemanocht, and the interpretation of laws referred to the lords of parliament, in case they were
interpreted against the said Laird of Gelston, should not hurt his said mother nor his right that she has
thereto by reason of conjunct fee.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1535/50]
On the which day, in the matter referred by the lords of session to the lords three estates of parliament
for the interpretation of certain laws of the realm, shown and produced before the said lords of session
in an action moved before them and yet depending by James Kennedy of Blairquhan against Thomas
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
30
MacLellan of Gelston, for the mails and duties of the lands of Castell Cruke and Killemanocht, with the
pertinents, lying within the sheriffdom of Wigtown, pertaining to the said Thomas in heritage, held of
the said James immediately in chief, and through his being at the horn above a year and a day, the mails
and duties of the said lands by the laws of the realm pertain and should pertain to the said James for the
said Thomas's lifetime. And because the said laws were variant in themselves and, therefore, were
referred to the interpretation of the estates of parliament if the same concerns simple slaughter or not,
and should have place in that matter or not, as is contained in the act made thereupon at more length,
of the date at Edinburgh, 4 March 1534 [1535], both the said parties being personally present with their
procurators and forespeakers, the said laws and other reasons and allegations being heard, seen and
understood, the lords of the articles, being fully advised therewith, find that the use in times bygone has
been that the mails and duties of the lands of those that have been a year and a day at the horn held of
other superiors than the king's grace, a year and a day being past, returns again to the superiors of the
said lands for the lifetime of those who sustained such processes of horning, a year and a day as is said,
except crimes of treason and lese-majesty, and find that the said laws should be so interpreted and used
in times coming.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1543/3/22]
[James Hamilton, earl of Arran], my lord governor, with the advice of the three estates of this realm,
ratifies and approves the charter, new infeftment and sasine made and given by our late sovereign lord
that last deceased to Thomas MacLellan of Bombie upon the lands and barony of Bombie and others of
his lands and heritage in all points according to the same; and decrees the sasine taken or to be taken
thereof by him to be as lawful in all and by all things as the same had been taken before the death of the
king's highness that last deceased, whom God absolve.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1585/12/38]
[Although not explicitly referring to the above records, the following document is related, the text
consisting of a list of lands and tenants over which John Maxwell, earl of Morton was superior.]
Many many names, and, Andrew MacLellan,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A1608/5/3]; Procedure: commission
Regarding boots and shoes
Forasmuch as the estates of this kingdom convened in the month of June 1605, having considered the
great and extraordinary dearth and prices raised upon the boots and shoes through all parts of this
country, to the great hurt and prejudice of all estates of persons, for remedy whereof they gave
commission to the magistrates of each burgh, and to one or two gentlemen of the shire who should be
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
31
adjoined to the said magistrates by the lords of privy council, to take trial yearly of the prices of all rough
hides and of the difference of the price between the rough hides and the tanned hides, and so keeping
the ground of the said difference proportionally, to set down reasonable prices upon the boots and
shoes, with penalties upon the shoemakers who shall contravene, raise or heighten the said price, as an
act of the said estates made thereupon at length bears; which act has not as yet taken effect nor
execution in any part of this kingdom, the magistrates within burgh pretending excuses that the
gentlemen of the shires were not adjoined to them according to the tenor of the said act; for remedy
whereof in time coming and that this shameful abuse used by the shoemakers may be removed, the
estates presently convened have adjoined and by the tenor hereof adjoin the barons and gentlemen
underwritten to the magistrates of the burghs following for putting of the said act to execution, they are
to say: Many many names, and, William MacLellan of Auchlean and [...] MacLellan of Nunton for the
burgh of Kirkcudbright, to the which barons and gentlemen and to the magistrates of the particular
burghs whom with they are adjoined as said is, the estates presently convened give power and
commission, express charge and direction to convene twice every year within the said burghs in the
months of June and November and about the midst of the said months and to take trial of the prices of
the rough hides and of the difference of the price between the rough and tanned hides, and so keeping
the ground of the said difference proportionally, to set down reasonable prices upon the boots and
shoes, with penalties upon the shoemakers who shall contravene, raise or heighten the said prices; and
that the said commissioners be careful and diligent to see this act receive full effect and execution
according to the tenor thereof in all points.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1617/5/7]
Sederunt
Commissioners for the burghs:
Many many names, and,
William MacLellan for Kirkcudbright
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1617/5/14]
Sederunt
Commissioners for the burghs:
Many many names, and,
William MacLellan for Kirkcudbright.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
32
[1621/6/7]
Sederunt
Commissioners for the small barons
Many many names, and,
[Sir Robert MacLellan], laird of Bombie for Wigtown
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1621/6/12]
Sederunt
The parliament of the most excellent and illustrious prince and most merciful lord of ours, James, by the
grace of God, king of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, held in Edinburgh on 4
August in the year of the Lord 1621 by the foresaid most illustrious James [Hamilton], marquis of
Hamilton, earl of Arran and Cambridge, lord Aven and Innerdale etc., and all the estates of the realm of
Scotland as mentioned below, together with the officers of parliament.
Commissioners for the small barons
Many many names, and,
[Sir Robert MacLellan], laird of Bombie for Wigtown
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1639/8/31/3]
Sederunt
Lords
Many many names, and,
[Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1639/8/31/7]
Procedure: protests; asking of instruments
[Thomas MacLellan], lord Kirkcudbright protested that his ranking, riding and sitting in parliament this
day after [James Johnstone], lord Johnstone and [George Forrester, lord] Forrester be not prejudicial to
his precedency due to him by the priority of his rights and creation before them, but that he may seek
redress thereof according to the law; and thereupon asked instruments.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
33
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1640/6/2]
Sederunt
Lords
Many many names, and,
[Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1640/11/2]
Sederunt
Lords
Many many names, and,
[Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright
The which day the estates of parliament, being convened and set down in plain and open parliament by
virtue of his majesty's special authority and according to the act of continuation made in the last session
of this parliament continuing the said parliament to this day, made these acts following, namely:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A1641/7/32]
[Supplication of the synod of Galloway for trial of Thomas MacKie and commission to the Earl of
Galloway]
Supplication of the synod of Galloway against Thomas MacKie, with a commission to [Alexander
Stewart], earl of Galloway to apprehend Thomas MacKie†
The supplication of the synod of Galloway to [John Wemyss, earl of Wemyss], commissioner, his grace,
and other members of this reverend assembly.
To your reverend and godly wisdoms humbly complains and shows we, the ministers and ruling elders,
commissioners from the presbyteries of Galloway, that whereas there was a complaint made by the
presbytery of Wigtown to the synodal assembly of Galloway held in October 1640 of the insolent and
barbarous behavior of Thomas MacKie, late clerk of Wigtown, a non-covenanter and infamous man, for
falsehood and perjury, who was sentenced by the council to be banished the kingdom, showing that
though the civil magistrate was unaware of him, yet it was incumbent to them to press the kirk
discipline. And because they urged his repentance for his foresaid sin and wickedness, he scolded them
with most odious and barbarous speeches and threatened to come to the presbytery and call them all
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
34
false knaves to their faces, to cut their beards, to put a knife in some of them and to put a pair of bullets
in them, although he should be taken to the cross and hanged for it, as himself confessed before the
presbytery when the minister of the town accused him for it. Upon which complaint of the said
presbytery, the synod concluded an act ordaining Master John MacLellan, their moderator, to be
informed by the presbytery of Wigtown of the particular passages and manner of the said Thomas
MacKie's insolent behavior towards them; and upon their information, to supplicate the committee of
estate for the repressing and correcting of the same. The execution of which act, though it was delayed
upon hopes of the said Thomas, his amendment, yet at the next synod held in April last it was renewed
again and ordained to be put in execution, the presbytery still finding him unwilling to make satisfaction
and daily more and more disturbing them in meddling with the affairs of the kirk and secretly stirring up
and informing scandalous persons to cross the discipline thereof; as also that he employed himself
busily by his malicious calumnies in incensing some personages of great note and authority against the
brethren of the ministry, to their great grief, contempt of their ministry and disturbance of their peace
and comfort in the exercise of their calling. For repressing of which intolerable insolences, the said
Master John MacLellan, who was ordained to complain of him in name of the synod as said, with advice
of the rest of the commissioners of Galloway and others of the ministry and ruling elders here present,
can find no remedy so ready or so forcible as to supplicate this reverend assembly for their concurrence
in recommending to the honorable estates of parliament the consideration of the said Thomas's
behaviour to the presbytery. Therefore our humble supplication to your reverend and godly wisdoms is
that you will supplicate the parliament for us that they would be pleased to take such a course with the
said Thomas MacKie by order of law and their authority, that his barbarous insolences may be repressed
and the said presbytery of Wigtown secured in the peaceable exercise of their ministry and their calling
vindicated from the contempt of such an infamous person who is under the sentence of banishment.
And your wisdoms' answer we most humbly crave.
J. Garthland
W[illiam] Gordon
Alexander Gordon
A. Livingstone
M[aster] A. Lauder
A. Turnbull
W[illiam] Hamilton
Master Gilbert P[...]†
John MacLellan
Master William Maxwell
Master George Dick
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
35
Master Hugh Henryson
Master Samuel Row
5 August 1641
This supplication being represented to the parliament by the commissioners from the assembly and
read in their presence, they appoint the Earl of Galloway to apprehend the said Thomas MacKie and
summon him before them between now and this day 15 days. And ordain a commission to be granted to
the said earl or any others whom he shall appoint for this effect, to be subscribed by the president.
[Robert Balfour, lord Balfour of] Burleigh, in presence of the lords of parliament.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1641/7/2]
Sederunt
Lords
Many many names, and,
[Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1641/8/2]
Sederunt
Lords
Many many names, and,
[Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1641/8/247]
Sederunt
Lords
Many many names, and,
[Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
36
[M1641/8/26]
[Act read and approved; diets of committees, parliament and the bodies; act regarding the forces in the
borders ordered to be drawn up]
The king being present.
Act regarding the election of officers of state, councillors and sessioners read, voted and passed in
parliament.
Appoints the meeting of the committee for the army this afternoon at 3 o'clock, and supersedes the
meeting of the parliament for the bills until tomorrow afternoon. And appoints the parliament to meet
at 9 o'clock, and every estate apart at 7 o'clock.
The parliament appoints an act to be drawn whereby [James Murray], earl of Annandale and [James
Douglas, earl of] Queensberry, [James Johnstone], lord Johnstone and [Thomas MacLellan, lord]
Kirkcudbright, [Sir Robert Grierson], laird of Lag and [Sir John Charteris of] Amisfield may be acted jointly
and separately for indemnity of the borders of Scotland from the garrison of Scotland and for getting
four days' victual to [Colonel John] Cochrane's regiment, and that in respect the said regiment has
received orders to dislodge.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A1641/8/1a]
[Oath of parliament]
Forasmuch as the honor, greatness and happiness of the king's royal majesty and the welfare of the
subjects depends on the purity of religion as it is now established in this kingdom, the laws, liberties and
peace thereof which ought to be sought after by all good Christians, loyal subjects and true patriots, and
to be furthered and maintained by them against all such as by any means endeavor to shake or subvert
the same, therefore, we under-subscribers and every one of us do in the presence of almighty God
promise and vow that in this present parliament we shall faithfully and freely speak, answer and express
ourselves upon all and everything which is or shall be proposed so far as we think in our conscience may
conduce to the glory of God, the good and peace of the church and state of this kingdom and employ
our best endeavors to promote the same and shall in no way advise, voice nor consent to anything
which to our best knowledge we think not most expedient and conducible thereto; as also that we shall
maintain and defend with our lives, power and estate his majesty's royal person, honor and estate, as is
express in our National Covenant, and likewise the power and privileges of parliaments and the lawful
rights and liberties of the subjects; and by all good means and ways oppose and endeavor to bring to
exact trial all such as either by force, practice, counsel, plots, conspiracies or otherwise has done or shall
do anything in prejudice of the purity of religion, the laws, liberties and peace of the kingdom. And
further, that we shall in all just and honorable ways endeavor to preserve union and peace between the
three kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland. And neither for hope, fear nor other respect shall
relinquish this vow and promise.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
37
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 August 1641
[Oath of parliament]
Forasmuch as the honor, greatness and happiness of the king's royal majesty and the welfare of the
subjects depends on the purity of religion as it is now established in this kingdom, the laws, liberties and
peace thereof which ought to be sought after by all good Christians, loyal subjects and true patriots, and
to be furthered and maintained by them against all such as by any means endeavor to shake or subvert
the same, therefore, we under-subscribers and every one of us do in the presence of almighty God
promise and vow that in this present parliament we shall faithfully and freely speak, answer and express
ourselves upon all and everything which is or shall be proposed so far as we think in our conscience may
conduce to the glory of God, the good and peace of the church and state of this kingdom and employ
our best endeavors to promote the same and shall in no way advise, voice nor consent to anything
which to our best knowledge we think not most expedient and conducible thereto; as also that we shall
maintain and defend with our lives, power and estate his majesty's royal person, honor and estate, as is
express in our National Covenant, and likewise the power and privileges of parliaments and the lawful
rights and liberties of the subjects; and by all good means and ways oppose and endeavor to bring to
exact trial all such as either by force, practice, counsel, plots, conspiracies or otherwise has done or shall
do anything in prejudice of the purity of religion, the laws, liberties and peace of the kingdom. And
further, that we shall in all just and honorable ways endeavor to preserve union and peace between the
three kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland. And neither for hope, fear nor other respect shall
relinquish this vow and promise.
10 August 1641
Read in audience of parliament, who approve the same and appoint the same to be taken by all
members of this parliament and in all parliaments hereafter, before they proceed to any act or
determination.
Many many names, and,
[Thomas or John MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright, x2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1643/6/62]
Procedure: caution for the Lord Herries
Caution for [John Maxwell], lord Herries [of Terregles]
The which day, in presence of the convention of estates, compeered personally Thomas [MacLellan],
lord Kirkcudbright and became acted and obliged cautioner and surety for John, lord Herries, that the
said Lord Herries and all such other persons as he is obliged to answer for by the laws, acts of parliament
and general bond shall keep his majesty's peace, observe good rule in quietness in the country with all
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
38
his majesty's subjects, according to the laws of this kingdom, and shall do nor attempt nothing directly
nor indirectly which may tend to the trouble of the peace thereof, but shall comply with and obey all
such suits and statutes as shall be appointed by the public judicatories of the kingdom for that end, and
shall from time to time be answerable to justice as they shall be required; and that they shall not
publicly nor privately, directly nor indirectly, attempt anything prejudicial to the true religion presently
professed within this kingdom, nor harbour, supply nor entertain with Jesuits, seminary priests nor
excommunicated papists under the pain of 10,000 merks. Likewise the said Lord Herries binds and
obliges himself and his heirs to relieve his said cautioner of the premises and of all danger he may incur
thereby forever.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1643/6/66]
For the sheriffdom of Inverness and Cromarty: Sir John MacKenzie of Tarbat, Mr Alexander MacKenzie
of Kilcowie, conveners for the first meeting (and thereafter the rest of the shire to choose their own
conveners), Walter Innes of Inverbreakie, Colin MacKenzie of Kincraig, [...] Munro of Obsdale, Alexander
Dunbar of Bennetsfield, Robert Innes of Rosskeen, Hugh Fraser of Belladrum, John Grant of Lurga, John
MacLellan of Dunvegan, Neil MacNeill of Baro, Sir James Fraser of Brae, [...] Ross of Pitcarry, Walter Ross
of Kinross and Thomas Ross of Priesthill.
For the sheriffdom of Wigtown and stewartry of Kirkcudbright: [James MacDowall], laird of Garthland
and [Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw], young sheriff of Galloway, conveners for the first meeting (and
thereafter to make choice among themselves), Sir Patrick MacKie of Larg, William Grierson of Bargatton,
Alexander Gordon of Earlston, James Ross of Balneil, John MacCulloch of Myreton, John Fullarton of
Carleton, Robert MacCulloch of Drummoral, George Glendinning of Mochrum, William Gordon of
Craichlaw, Uchtred MacDowall of Freuch, Patrick Agnew of Sheuchan, Richard Muir of Cassencarie,
Thomas MacLellan of Colm, Patrick Agnew of Barnewalls, John Stewart of Shambellie, William
Glendinning [of Gelstoun], provost of Kirkcudbright, and James Lafreis.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1643/6/91]
Act for the committees of war in the shires.
Many many names, and,
Within the sheriffdoms of Wigtown and Kirkcudbright, for the foot: [Robert Gordon], viscount of
Kenmure and [Sir James Stewart], lord Garlies. As also for the presbytery of Wigtown (excepting the
parishes of Mochrum and Kirkcowan with the presbytery of Stranraer) is to be joined to Carrick, to be
commanded by [John Kennedy], earl of Cassilis; and for the horse of Kirkcudbright and Dumfries:
[Thomas MacLellan], lord Kirkcudbright, and for the horse of Wigtown and Stranraer: [James
MacDowall], laird of Garthland.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
39
With power to them (being once met by the conveners above-specified or any of them respectively and
sworn by them for attendance and faithful administration), or at least any fourth part or more of them
beside the convener, whom they have power to make choice of among themselves after the first
meeting; and not excluding the colonels of the shire and well-affected noblemen within the same who
please to assist, and are hereby declared to have vote and place in their meetings once in the week at
the least at the head burgh of the shire or any other convenient place they shall please; and there to
take special trial and make perfect lists of the whole fencible persons between 60 and 16 within their
shire, both foot and horse, and to have a special care to see them sufficiently provided with arms; and
for that effect, to call such persons before them as they shall think most able (either to burgh or land) to
give up upon oath the lists of the said whole fencible persons and arms within the shire, and to send an
authentic duplicate of the said list to the committee of estates at Edinburgh. As also, with power to
them to divide their shires into several divisions and to appoint a distinct part thereof for every one of
the colonels within their bounds; and if any debate arises concerning the making of the divisions which
cannot be presently settled with consent, that the same be represented to the committee of estates.
With power likewise to them to reduce the whole fencible persons in the shire (as well to burgh as land)
into regiments, foot companies and horse troops; which being done, that the colonels, by advice of that
committee, appoint all under-officers necessary for commanding all those under their charge and to see
them sufficiently provided with all equipment requisite, and that they have a care that they be drilled
and exercised in managing their arms, every regiment once in the month, and every company or troop
once in the week, at such place as the said committees and colonels shall appoint; who are hereby
required to see the captains of each company provided with colors and drums, and the rutmasters with
trumpets and cornets; and that they be in readiness, as they shall receive order from the committee of
estates, to bring forth such number and proportion of their regiments, with sufficient equipment, arms
and provision as they shall be required, provided always that the burghs royal within the shires shall
have the nomination of their own captains and under-officers and their men to be exercised within their
own town, and shall not be obliged to keep other places of mustering in the shire until the regiments of
that division where the burgh lies be called to march or go upon service. In which case, each burgh is to
furnish a proportional number of well-armed men according to the number furnished by the shire, and
who are to go on in the service under and receive command from the colonels and other officers named
as said is. And for the more good service, it is ordained that the several committees aforesaid appoint
some secure place for magazines of ammunition and arms for the use of the shire. And that this whole
service may be better furthered and advanced, the committees and colonels aforesaid are hereby
ordained to labour so far as in them lies to maintain unity and love amongst all his majesty's good
subjects in these bounds, and that all private quarrels, in case any shall happen to fall out among any
well-affected persons, be settled and removed amicably, or otherwise that the same be represented to
the committee of estates at Edinburgh. And if any tumult or insurrection break forth in the shire by
malignants or other disaffected persons, to use all means to compose the same; and, if need be, to
pursue the raisers thereof in a hostile way with the strength of the shire, and if the insurrection or
division comes to that height that the shire where it falls out is not able to suppress the same, that the
colonels, committees and commanders of the adjacent shires on all quarters (with whom the
committees respectively are to keep correspondence) join for suppressing the same as they shall receive
advertisement from the committee of estates or committee of the shire where the insurrection is. And
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
40
in case of any foreign invasion by sea or by land, that the colonels and commanders rise in arms with the
whole strength of the shire, horse and foot, for resisting the same, and by beacons and otherwise to
give timely advertisement thereof to the country and adjacent shires, who are hereby commanded to
rise and concur in the pursuit of the said invaders and raisers of commotion and trouble. And if they or
any others assisting them in these unlawful deeds shall flee to strengths and houses, with power to the
said colonels and commanders and all others that join with them to raise fire, assuage the said strengths
and houses and use all other kind of warlike engines that can be had for recovery thereof and
apprehending the said persons or their assisters; and if in execution hereof any slaughter, mutilation or
other accident shall fall out upon the persons so pursued, the estates declare the colonels and others
aforesaid free thereof and of all pain or danger they may incur thereby for ever; and ordain and
command all his majesty's good subjects to assist the said committees and colonels in the prosecution of
this commission, under the pain to be esteemed and punished as enemies to religion, the king's majesty
and their native country and art and part of the said insurrections. And to the effect the said colonels
and committees may the better attend this charge, with power to them, or quorum thereof aforesaid, to
inflict and uplift fines off the absents, to nominate and elect clerks and other officers needful, and to
appoint fees to them for that service; and if any places of the said committees fall vacant by death or
otherwise, with power to the quorum there to receive others in their place. And notwithstanding
hereof, it is statute and ordained that none be admitted, nor suffered to remain as members of the said
committees, nor have public charge in the shire, but such as shall subscribe the articles to be sent into
the shire by the estates or committee thereof, with advice of the general assembly or commissioners
thereof. Likewise the said committees are hereby ordained to obey and put into execution all orders and
instructions to be sent to them by this convention or committee of estates, and give frequent
advertisements of their proceedings and of the condition of the shire and of the names of all the papists
and disaffected persons within their bounds to the committee of estates, to whom they shall be
answerable for the discharge of this trust committed to them by this commission, which is to endure
until the same be recalled by the parliament, convention of estates or committees thereof.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1644/1/31] and [1644/1/144],
Sederunt
The nobility
Many many names, and,
[Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright
[1644/6/2] and [1645/1/2]
Sederunt
Lords
Many many names, and,
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
41
[Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1644/6/12]
Committee for the levy
The estates grant commission to [Archibald Campbell], marquis of Argyll, [William Kerr], earl of Lothian,
the lords [Robert Balfour, lord Balfour of] Burleigh or [John Sinclair, lord] Sinclair and [Thomas
MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright for the noblemen, the lairds [James Crichton of] Ruthven or [Sir William
Scott of] Harden, [James MacDowall of] Garthland, [Sir Andrew Agnew of] Lochnaw and [Sir Archibald
Johnston of] Wariston for the barons, the commissioners [Sir John Smith of Grotehill and Robert
Meiklejohn for] Edinburgh, [Thomas Bruce of Weltoun for] Stirling, [John Osborne for] Ayr and [George
Jamieson for] Cupar for the burghs (or any eight of them) to treat upon such articles as shall be thought
to contribute for the good of the levy under the charge and command of [James Livingstone], earl of
Callander and for his commission, and adjoin [William Keith], earl Marischal to this committee, and
appoint the diet of meeting to be presently, and ordain them to consider and report to the parliament.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1644/6/223]
Procedure
Prayers said, rolls called.
Procedure: prorogation of the commission for trying delinquents
Prorogation of the delegated commission for trying the delinquents
The estates of parliament prorogate the delegated commission granted to the commissioners
mentioned therein for trying the delinquents specified therein until Saturday next inclusive, and add the
lords [John Hay, lord] Yester, [Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright and [John Carnegie, lord] Loure to
the said commission, and appoint any one of every estate, with the justice clerk or any one of the justice
deputes, to be a quorum, and appoint these three noblemen now added to the commission to be in
place of the other three formerly nominated therein.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1644/6/225]
Act appointing the committees of war in the several shires and divisions of the kingdom
The estates of parliament, presently convened by virtue of the last act of the last parliament held by his
majesty and three estates in 1641, taking into their consideration that the same causes that moved the
convention of estates of this kingdom convened at Edinburgh on 26 August 1643 to nominate and
appoint committees of war in the whole several shires of this kingdom, to the ends and with the power
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
42
and commission contained in the printed acts and orders of the convention of estates of the date
aforesaid, yet remains, therefore the said estates of parliament nominate and appoint the persons
underwritten to be committees and commissioners within the several shires of this kingdom, as well
burgh as land, in manner and to the effect contained in the aforesaid printed act of the convention of
estates of the date 26 August 1643: they are to say: in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, [Robert Gordon],
viscount of Kenmure, [Thomas MacLellan], lord Kirkcudbright, [John MacKie], laird of Balmaghie,
Alexander Gordon of Earlston, John Gordon, his son, John Gordon of Cardoness, John Lennox of Calie,
John Brown of Carsluith, Alexander Lennox, apparent heir of Calie, Richard Muir of Cassencarie, William
Glendinning [of Gelstoun], provost of Kirkcudbright, John Corsan, bailie there, John Fullarton of
Carleton, Robert Gordon of Knockbrex, Alexander Gordon of Knockgray, Thomas Rome, apparent heir of
Irongray, John Stewart of Shambellie, Robert Maxwell of Kirkhouse, George Glendinning of Mochrum, Sir
Patrick MacKie of Larg, Thomas MacLellan of Collin, James Telfer of Harecleugh and the said John
Fullarton of Carleton to be convener; to the which whole committees and commissioners of the several
shires and presbyteries respectively above-mentioned, and to every one of the same several
committees, the said estates renew and grant the same commission, power and warrant contained in
the aforesaid printed act of the convention of estates and to the ends and with the same liberties and
privileges specified therein and according to the tenor of the same printed act in all points; and ordain
the said several committees to meet and convene with all conveniency so soon as they can between
now and 6 August next at farthest, with power nevertheless to the committee of the estates of
parliament that shall reside at Edinburgh to alter or change the aforesaid committees of the several
shires above-mentioned or any of the persons nominated therein as the said committee of estates shall
think fit or find expedient.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1644/6/236]
Procedure: commission of justiciary to Lord Kirkcudbright
Commission in favour of [Thomas MacLellan], lord Kirkcudbright
Anent the supplication given in to the estates of parliament, presently convened by virtue of the last act
of the last parliament held by his majesty and three estates in 1641, whereof the tenor follows: My lords
and others, the estates of parliament, to your lords humbly means and shows I, your servant, William
Grierson of Bargatton, commissioner for the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, that where it is not unknown to
your lords the process carried out against Robert [Maxwell], earl of Nithsdale, stewart of Kirkcudbright,
and that his deputes, in taking part with the enemy, are convened and arrested here until trial be taken
relating thereto and they accordingly punished, through which the lieges are altogether frustrated of
justice of that judicatory, tending to the ruin thereof unless remedy be provided. Therefore I, for myself
and in name of the remainder of the stewartry and as commissioner, humbly entreat your lords to grant
commission to such of the said stewartry as your lords shall think expedient to sit, hold courts, proceed
and administer justice in all actions and causes intended or to be intended during such time and space
as your lords shall think expedient, and your lords' answer. Which supplication being read in audience of
the parliament and the same, with the desire thereof, taken into the consideration of the estates of
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
43
parliament, they find it necessary and expedient that commission be granted to some able and qualified
man to sit, hold courts and administer justice in all matters belonging to the jurisdiction of the said
stewartry of Kirkcudbright that the lieges be not delayed or frustrated of justice; and the estates being
truly informed and having real trial and experience of the abilities and qualification and good deservings
of Thomas, lord Kirkcudbright, the said estates of parliament by this act grant full power and
commission to the said Thomas, lord Kirkcudbright to sit, hold courts, proceed and administer justice in
all actions and causes belonging to the said stewartry of Kirkcudbright and jurisdiction thereof intended
and to be intended before the same judicatory, and to do all and every other thing concerning the same
judicatory of the stewartry of Kirkcudbright as the said Robert, earl of Nithsdale, stewart thereof, or his
deputes might have lawfully done or led to be done relating thereto in all respects. With power to the
said Thomas, lord Kirkcudbright to intromit with, uplift and dispose upon all fees, casualties and other
duties whatsoever pertaining or in any way belonging to the stewart of the stewartry of Kirkcudbright in
any manner of way, and that until the next triennial parliament. With power also to the said Lord
Kirkcudbright during the said space to make and substitute deputes, one or more, for the administration
of justice to the lieges in the jurisdiction of the said stewartry of Kirkcudbright, and to create all
members of court necessary, for whom the said Lord Kirkcudbright shall be answerable, reserving
always to William [Hamilton], earl of Lanark, secretary to the king's majesty for this kingdom, his right of
nomination of the clerk of the said stewartry to be unprejudiced hereby.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1645/1/16]
Committee Members: committee for bills, overtures and ratifications
Committee for bills, overtures and ratifications
The estates of parliament, presently convened in this second session of parliament by virtue of the last
act of the last parliament held by his majesty and three estates in 1641, nominate and appoint the earls
[James Erskine, earl of] Buchan and [Alexander Stewart, earl of] Galloway, the lords [Alexander
Elphinstone, lord] Elphinstone and [Thomas MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright for the nobility, the lairds [Sir
Alexander Falconer of] Halkerton, [Hugh Campbell of] Cessnock and [Sir John Haldane of] Gleneagles
and Sir William Carmichael [of Hyndford] for the barons, Mr Robert Cunningham for Kinghorn, Allan
Dunlop for Irvine, James Smollett for Dumbarton and Archibald Mercer for Culross for the burghs (or any
seven of them as a quorum, there being one of every estate), and grant power and commission to the
said persons and quorum aforesaid to receive, revise and consider all bills, supplications, overtures and
ratifications to be given in and presented to this session of parliament, with power to them or their
quorum to grant warrant for citation of parties to compeer before the estates of parliament or this
committee or before the committee of estates after the parliament in case the parliament rises before
the day of compeerance. As also with power to the said committee or quorum thereof aforesaid to
reject such bills, overtures and ratifications as they shall think not competent to be received, but
without prejudice to the parties to present those that are rejected to the parliament; and ordain this
committee not to determine but to report to the parliament, except in such cases where the parties
shall agree before this committee. In the case of the parties' agreement, the estates grant power to this
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
44
committee or quorum thereof aforesaid to determine in such particulars as the parties shall agree and
consent to. [John Maitland, earl of Lauderdale], president of parliament, to be supernumerary in this
and all other committees.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1645/11/177]
Procedure: commission for the trial of Robert Forrester and others
Commission for trying the carriage of Robert Forrester and others
The estates of parliament taking into their consideration that the committee of estates did upon 17
October 1645 grant commission to Thomas [MacLellan], lord Kirkcudbright, John Fullarton of Carleton
and others mentioned therein for trying the carriage of Robert Forrester, commissioner of Kirkcudbright,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1646/11/532]
Act anent the committees of war in the several shires
The estates of parliament, now convened in the sixth session of the first triennial parliament, taking into
consideration the necessity and expediency of appointing and continuing committees of war in the
several shires of the kingdom for the furtherance of the public service, with the lists given in by the
several commissioners of the shires respectively of the persons desired by them to be upon the
committees of war of the said shires or to be added thereto, the said estates of parliament nominate
and appoint the persons after-named to be upon the committees of war of the several shires
respectively underwritten, both for burgh and land, and to be added to the former committees thereof
respectively as follows, namely:
Item, for the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, the estates add to the former committee of war hereof Sir
Robert Maxwell, apparent heir of Orchardton, John MacLellan of Auchlean, Patrick Mackie of Larg,
William Maxwell of Kirkhouse, William MacLellan of Barscobe and Robert Gordon of Grange; and
appoint seven to be the quorum.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1648/3/2]
Sederunt
The officers of parliament, namely: [Gilbert Hay], earl of Erroll, constable, present; [William Keith], earl
Marischal present as marischal; the provost of Edinburgh present; Mr William Wallace, sheriff depute of
Edinburgh, present; dempster present.
Lords
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
45
Many many names, and,
[John MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1648/3/79]
Act of posture anent the putting of the kingdom in a posture of war for defence.
The estates of parliament presently convened, taking into their serious consideration the dangers
imminent to the true Protestant religion, to the National Covenant, Solemn League and Covenant, his
majesty's person and authority and peace of his kingdoms from the prevalence of sectaries and their
adherents and from papists, malignants and prelatical party, and considering the occasion thereby given
not only to the public enemies of religion abroad, but even to any disaffected persons at home, to
labour so far as in them lies to subvert religion and government and disturb the peace of this kingdom,
and finding themselves obliged in duty and conscience to make† use of all means for preventing the
practices of such, for preserving the peace and keeping of his majesty's subjects in a dutiful obedience
to the laws and public judicatories and in a Christian unity among themselves, they have resolved that
this kingdom shall be presently put in a posture of defence. And, for the better and more speedy
effectuating thereof, they have nominated and appointed and hereby nominate and appoint the
persons particularly underwritten to be colonels of horse and foot within the several sheriffdoms and
bounds thereof, as well to burghs as landward respectively after-specified, namely: Many many others,
and,
Item, the stewartry of Kirkcudbright: the earl of Cassilis, the earl of Nithsdale, the viscount of Kenmure,
the Lord Garlies, [John MacLellan], lord Kirkcudbright, Lord Lee, the laird of Lag, [Maxwell], laird of
Orchardton, [MacKie], laird of Balmaghie, [Sir Patrick MacKie], laird of Larg, [Brown], laird of Carsluith,
Lieutenant Colonel Gordon of Rusco, [Lennox], laird of Calie, younger, [John Fullarton], laird of Carleton,
Richard Muir of Cassencarie, [Robert Gordon], laird of Kirkconnell, [William Gordon], laird of Roberton,
[Robert Gordon], laird of Knockbrex, Mr William Gordon, fiar of Earlston, William Gordon of Shirmers,
[Gordon], laird of Troquhain, the laird of Holme, [David Arnott], laird of Barcaple, [MacLellan], laird of
Collin, [William MacLellan of] Barscobe, [Gordon of] Knockgray, [William Grierson of] Bargatton, [John
Stewart], laird of Shambellie, [Robert Gordon], laird of Grange, [William MacLellan], laird of Gribdae, the
laird of Kirkhouse, [Arnott], laird of Barnbackle, [William Glendinning], laird of Gelstoun, the laird of
Manquhill, the laird of Fairgirth, the laird of Airds, John Brown, younger, at the brigend of Dumfries,
John Corsan of Senwick, James Gordon, provost of New Galloway, William MacAdam, bailie, John Ewart,
younger, of Mulloch, John Logan of Enrick, Andrew Lindsay of Auchenskeoch, John Cutler of Orroland,
the laird of Knockgray, the laird of Largmore, the laird of Murdoch, the laird of Lochinkit, George
Callander, bailie of Kirkcudbright, the laird of Crogo, the laird of Kirkdale, the laird of Auchinguill, the
laird of Gairelarge, Balmain, Newlaw, Blakmad and Mr William Hay of Aberlady.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1649/1/2]
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
46
Sederunt
The officers of parliament, namely: Mr John Hay of Haystoun for [Gilbert Hay], earl of Erroll, constable,
Arthur Erskine of Scotscraig for [William Keith], earl Marischal as marischal, [Sir James Stewart of
Kirkfield and Coltness], provost of Edinburgh, and Mr William Wallace, sheriff depute of Edinburgh, [...],
dempster, all present.
Lords
Many many names, and,
[John MacLellan, lord] Kirkcudbright.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1649/1/133]
Act for putting the kingdom in a posture of defence
[John MacLellan], Lord Kirkcudbright, the sheriff of Galloway,
In the stewartry of Kirkcudbright: the earl of Cassilis, John MacLellan lord Kirkcudbright, James, master
of Kenmore, Colonel William Stewart of Castle-Stewart, William Grierson of Bargatton, Alexander
Lennox of Calie, John Brown of Carsluith, John Fullarton of Carleton, Alexander Gordon of Earlston, Mr
William Gordon, his son, Richard Muir of Cassencarie, Alexander Muir, his son, William Gordon of
Roberton, William Glendinning of Gelstoun, William Gordon of Holme, William Gordon of Shirmers,
William MacLellan of Barscobe, Robert Gordon of Kirkconnell, Alexander Murdoch of Cumloden,
Alexander MacKie in Polgown, Robert Gordon of Grange, David Arnott of Barcaple, Robert Gordon of
Knockbrex, Alexander Gordon, [...] Garlarg, Thomas MacLellan of Collin, John Sinclair† of Orroland,
James Tailfeir of Harecleugh, William MacCulloch of Ardwall, Alexander Gordon of Knockgray, John
Gordon, his son, William MacLellan of Gribdae, John Corsan of Sannick, George Callander, bailie of
Kirkcudbright, John Ewart of Mulloch, John Gordon of Enrick, John Gordon of Rusco, Robert MacLellan of
Gata(Galtway), John Glendinning of Laggan, Gilbert Brown of Compston, Harbert Irvine of Logan, John
Kirkco of Clasters, Sir Patrick MacKie of Larg, Rodger Gordon, younger, of Torquhan, Thomas Rome of
Lincluden, John Stewart of Shambellie, David Gordon of Glenluce; and the said laird of Carleton to be
convener for the first meeting.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1649/5/297]
Act in favour of John Gordon
The estates of parliament, having heard and considered a supplication given in by John Gordon in
Kilpatrick, showing that he being a trooper in [Thomas MacLellan], lord Kirkcudbright's regiment when
the army went into England in the year 1644, there was shot from him one of his legs, he being then at
the siege of York in the public service, which made the supplicant altogether unable to do any thing for
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
47
himself and has reduced him to extremely great necessity and poverty; and therefore desiring that he
may have some present supply for his subsistence, as the said supplication bears. Which, with the report
of the committee of bills relating thereto, being taken into consideration by the said estates of
parliament, they have modified and modify to the said supplicant the sum of £200 Scots for his present
maintenance, which they ordain to be paid as follows namely: £100 thereof by Sir Thomas Stewart of
Grandtully, which the parliament ordains the said Sir Thomas Stewart to pay for oppressing and
wronging Andrew Boyd in [Loak] in manner contained in a report given in by the committee of bills in
favour of the said Andrew, and ordains letters to be directed to charge the said Sir Thomas to pay the
said sum of £100 within six days next after the charge under the pain of rebellion, and in case of failure,
he is ordained to pay the sum of 200 merks; and for payment of the other £100 to the said supplicant,
the estates of parliament do hereby recommend him to the committee of monies and [Sir James
Stewart of Kirkfield and Coltness], commissary-general, that he may get present satisfaction of the said
sum in regard of his necessitous and hard condition.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1649/5/376]
Procedure: commission to the committee of estates
Commission for the committee of estates
7 August 1649
The estates of parliament, now presently convened in this third session of this second triennial
parliament, being upon good reason to dissolve for this present session of parliament and to continue
the same to a new diet, and considering how necessary it is (for the good of religion, king and kingdoms,
for preventing and remedying of all evils and dangers that may befall to any of those from internal
commotions or foreign invasions, for preserving the peace of the kingdom and union between both, and
for doing, acting and ordering all things relating either to peace or war agreeable to the covenant and
ends thereof) that a grand committee be nominated and appointed by them of able and well qualified
persons, do therefore nominate, elect and make choice of the persons following, namely: for the
noblemen: Many many names, and,
[John MacLellan], lord Kirkcudbright
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A1650/5/19]
[Petition of Mr James Morrison, distressed minister in Orkney]
Petition Mr James Morrison, distressed minister in Orkney
The humble petition of Mr James Morrison, distressed minister in Orkney, to the honourable court of
parliament.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
48
Shows,
That forasmuch as the committee of estates, in consideration of the great losses which I sustained in the
late rebellion in Orkney, did ordain me to be repaired thereof, and seeing I am certainly informed, to my
heavy regret, that three of my children of 15, 16 and 17 years old, being seduced and forced by James
Graham, [earl of Montrose] and his party to join with him, are killed in the late defeat, which is a sad
aggravation of my grief and losses, my humble desire therefore is that your honours, in commiseration
of my sufferings, would be pleased to grant me summons for citing Mr Walter Stewart, suspended
minister at South Ronaldsay, and the rest of the ministers of that presbytery, to appear before your
lordships or the committee of estates, to hear and see themselves fined and censured for their
compliance and accession to that rebellion as shall be thought fit, and their fines and forfeitures applied
for reparation of my losses, to be verified and instructed before Thomas Buchanan of Sound, David
MacLellan of Woodwick, James Baikie of Tankerness and James Moodie of Melsetter, all well-affected
gentlemen, to whom I likewise humbly desire your lordships to grant commission for that effect.
Your honours' humble supplicant, Mr J. Morrison, minister at Evie
20 May 1650
The estates of parliament grant the desire of the supplication.
[John Campbell, earl of] Loudoun, chancellor, in the presence of the lords of parliament.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A1650/5/20]
[Draft act in favour of Mr James Morrison, distressed minister in Orkney] 20 May 1650
David MacLellan of Woodwick
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1662/5/96]
Act containing some exceptions from the act of indemnity
But considering that by these troubles and rebellious courses many of his good subjects have been
under great sufferings and liable to great loss for their affection and loyalty to his majesty, therefore, in
order to their reparation, and for diverse important considerations of state, his majesty, with advice and
consent of his estates of parliament, has thought fit to burden his pardon and indemnity to some
(whose guiltiness has rendered them obnoxious to the law and their lives and fortunes at his majesty's
disposal) with the payment of some small sums, and in so far to except them from the benefit of his
majesty's pardon and, therefore, the king's majesty, with advice and consent foresaid, has thought fit
and, accordingly, does hereby declare, that the persons particularly after-mentioned, each of them for
their own parts, are excepted from his majesty's pardon and indemnity, in so far as may concern the
payment of the sums underwritten namely.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
49
Many many others, and,
Within Kirkcudbright: Major MacCulloch of Barholm, £800; Robert Kirk of Kildon, £360; [...] MacIlno of
Lochdounheid, £360; Robert Hughan, subcollector of [...], £240; Alexander Gordon of Knockgray, elder
and younger, £1,200; William Whitehead of Millhouse, £360; John Corsan of Senwick, £200; David
Arnott in Barcaple, £360; Mr William Gordon of Earlston, £3,500; John Gordon of Rusco, £2,400; John
Turner of Ardwell, £360; John Gordon of Troquhain, £2,400; John Fullarton of Carleton, £1,000; John
MacKirtie in Blaiket, £600; John Gordon of Waterside, £600; [...] Gordon of Barroch, £300; James Logan
of Hill, £1,000; [...] Logan of Bagrie, £480; Patrick Young of Achilskiesh, £1,000; John Maxwell of Milton,
£800; [...] of Dundeugh, £600; William Gordon in Midtown, £240; Robert Stewart of Manquhill, £1,000;
Archibald Stewart of Kilgruss, £1,000; John Thomson of Harieholm, £240; John Brown of Mureheidstoun,
£360; [...] Brown of Lochhill, £360; Alexander Gordon of Culvennan, £600; John Lindsay of Fairgirth,
£600; John Aitken of Achilhae, £360; William Gordon of Shirmers, £600; James Chalmers of Waterside,
£600; [...] Herron of Cirrochtrie, £600; William Gordon of Roberton, £360; William Corsan in Roberton,
£240; John Logan of Endrich, £240; William Glendinning of Corruch, £360; William MacCulloch of
Ardwell, £600; Robert MacLellan of Barnagahan, £360; Alexander MacKie, merchant in Kirkcudbright,
£200; Alexander MacLean, merchant there, £200; John MacLellan, maltman there, £280; William Telfer
in Dunrod, £300; [...] Gibson of Brockloch, £360; John Stewart of Shambellie, £600; David Gordon of
Glenlady, £600; Alexander Gordon of Auchencairn, £200; the laird of Martine,† £240; William Gordon of
Minybowie, £280; John Neilson of Corsack, £600; Robert MacCulloch of Auchenlarie, £240; Cornet
Alexander MacGee of Dalgoun, £480; Edward Cairns of Torr, £240; [...] Corsan in Dundrennan, £200;
James Logan of Boge, £600; John MacMichen of Ardo,† £360; John MacMillan of Brockloch, £360; John
Cannon of Murdochwood, £360; Robert Gordon of Grange, £2,400; John Grierson of [...], £600; Robert
Gilson in the parish of Kells, £360; Edward Gordon of Barmark, £480; Alexander Cairns in Dalry parish,
£480; James Neilson of Errowrie, £360; James Glendinning of Mocho, £480; [...] Grierson of Bargatton,
£600; [...] Martin in Dullard,† £360; William Glendinning of Logan, £360; Robert Gaw, of [...], £360;
James Wilson in Clarebrand, £240; Alexander Livingstone of Countinespie, £360; Robert Corsan in
Netherarick, £360; James [...] of Perkcroft, £240; Patrick Corsan of Colds, £600; John Herries of Logan,
£360; [...] Telfer of Harecleugh, £1,800; James Thomson of Ingliston, £1,000; Robert MacLellan of
Balnagen, £240; Captain Robert Gordon of Barharrow, £240; [...] Gordon of Gedgill, £300; [...] Begbie in
Comrie, £240; Edward Cluchan in Castlegower, £240; John MacIll in Cuil, £240; John Cannon in
Guffertland,† £240; John Hamilton in Kirkpatrick in the muir, £240; Thomas Neilson of Knockwalloch,
£240; William Gordon of Mirkartnay, £240; James Gordon of Killylour, £240; John Welsh of Scarr, £240;
James Smith of Drumloch, £240; Robert Greir in Kinharvie, £240; and William Maxwell in Netheryett,
£600.
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[1669/10/30]
Act concerning the forfeiture of persons in the late rebellion and protest.
Our sovereign lord and his estates of parliament, having considered the process of treason pursued and
deduced at the instance of Sir John Nisbet of Dirleton, his majesty's advocate, by warrant and order of
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
50
his majesty's privy council, before the justice, against the persons after-mentioned for their treasonable
rising in arms, and being in and having accession to the late rebellion in the western shires in the year of
our Lord 1666, with the libels, interlocutors, probations, depositions of witnesses, and the verdicts of
inquests and dooms of forfeiture proceeding thereupon, do find that the justice and their assessors
appointed by the council in the said process, in finding the said libels to be relevant, and admitting the
same to the knowledge of inquests, and the foresaid inquests in finding the same to be verified and
proven, and in giving their verdicts and dooms of forfeiture thereupon respectively, have proceeded
justly and warrantably upon relevant libels and clear evidences and probation; and therefore, do ratify
and approve their proceedings, interlocutors, verdicts and respective dooms and sentences of forfeiture
given and pronounced by them in the said process, namely, the sentence and doom of forfeiture
pronounced against Colonel James Wallace, Joseph Learmonth, [...] MacLellan of Barscobe, Mr John
Welsh, Master James Smith, Patrick Liston in Calder, William Liston, his son, and William Porterfield of
Quarrelton, pronounced upon 15 August in the year of God 1667; and the other sentence and doom of
forfeiture pronounced against William Muir of Caldwell, [...] Caldwell, eldest son to the goodman of
Caldwell, Robert Kerr of Kersland, Mr John Cunningham of Baidland, Alexander Porterfield, brother to
Quarrelton, John Maxwell of Monreith, younger, [...] MacLellan of Belmagachan,(Barmagachan) and
many many others,
upon 16 August in the said year of God 1667, and decree and ordain the said process and dooms, and
sentences of forfeiture foresaid, to be valid and effectual to all intents and purposes, notwithstanding
that the said persons found guilty, and convicted for the crimes foresaid, did not compear in the said
process; and declare that the said sentence and dooms of forfeiture shall be of as great force and
strength as if the said persons had compeared or the same had been pronounced in parliament. And his
majesty, with consent foresaid, does approve his said advocate's service in the said affair, and in respect
it was against reason and justice that when any person or persons are accused of high treason, for rising
in arms against his majesty or his authority, when they are cited to underlie the law before the justice, if
they do not appear, that their absence and contumacy, which ought to be an aggravation if any can be
of so high and horrid a crime, should be of any advantage to them, therefore, his majesty, with consent
foresaid, does statute and ordain that in time coming, in all such cases of treasonable rising in arms and
open and manifest rebellion against his majesty, or his successors and their authority; his majesty's
advocate for the time may and ought to insist against and prosecute such persons, as he shall be
ordered by his majesty or his privy council to pursue; and if they are cited and do not appear, the justice,
notwithstanding of their absence, may and ought to proceed to consider and give their interlocutors
upon the libel, and if it be found relevant, to admit the same to the knowledge of an assize, and upon
the verdict of the inquest, finding the same to be proven, the doom and sentence of forfeiture ought to
proceed and be given and pronounced in the same manner as if the persons accused had compeared
and were present. And his majesty, with consent foresaid, does remit to the justice general, justice clerk
or justice deputes the summons and process of treason intended at the instance of his majesty's
advocate, against certain persons therein mentioned, for their accession to the said rebellion, and
depending before his majesty and the estates, with power to them to proceed, notwithstanding of the
absence of the said persons, and if the said summons are found relevant and proven by the verdict of
inquest, to pronounce the sentence and doom of forfeiture thereupon.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
51
Protestation by [John Maxwell], earl of Nithsdale
The earl of Nithsdale protested that any sentence of forfeiture pronounced against [...] MacLellan of
Belmagachan,(Barmagachan), now ratified in parliament, or any retour of his quinquennial possession,
should not prejudice the said earl of his right of property or superiority of the lands of
Belmagahan,(Barmagachan).
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[1695/5/93]
Act for six months' supply upon the land rent.
Follows the quota of the supply payable monthly by the several burghs of the kingdom:
Many many others, and,
For the stewartry of Kirkcudbright: James [Stewart], earl of Galloway, Lord Basil Hamilton [of Baldoon],
Patrick Heron of Kirroughtree, John MacKay of Palgown, Alexander MacKay, younger of Palgown, [...]
MacCulloch of Bearholm, William Muir, tutor of Cassencarrie, William Gordon of Skirmoirs,† Robert
Gordon of Garrerie, James Gordon of Largmore, Robert Gordon of Airds, William Maxwell, younger of
Newlands, Robert MacLellan of Barmagachan, Charles MacLellan of Collin,(Cullin) Andrew Carson of
Balmangan and [...] Grier of Dalskairth.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A1700/10/14]
[Inventory of the documents in the process of forfeiture against the marquis of Argyll in 1661]
Inventory of the process of forfeiture at the instance of Sir John Fletcher, his majesty's advocate, against
Archibald [Campbell], marquis of Argyll, delivered up according to an order of parliament dated 23
December 1700 to Sir James Dalrymple, one of the depute clerks of parliament, by James Hamilton,
another of the said clerks and keeper of the records in the lower parliament house, in presence of the
committee of parliament, at whose sight the same were appointed to be delivered
There are also, upon separate sheets and half sheets of paper, the depositions dated 7 May 1661 of
John Corsan of Sennick, William Grierson of Bargattan and John [MacLellan], lord Kirkcudbright. On 8
May, the depositions of John Campbell, captain of Dunstaffnage and George [Livingstone], earl of
Linlithgow. On 10 May, the deposition of Sir James Lumsden of Innergellie. On 16 May, the depositions
of Thomas Urquhart, servant to [Charles Gordon], earl of Aboyne, William [Douglas], lord Mordington,
Sir James Foulis of Colinton and Sir Robert Douglas of Blackerston. On 20 May, the depositions of
Thomas Calderwood, bailie of Edinburgh, James Cunningham, brother to the laird of Robertland, James
Anderson, writer in Edinburgh, Sir Robert Farquhar of Mounie, Archibald Murray, fiar of Blackbarony,
and George Lockhart, advocate. And on 21 May 1661, the depositions of Sir Alexander Gibson of Durie
and Mr Alexander Seton of Pitmedden.
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
52
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[1703/5/149]
Petition: protection granted
Petition by Patrick Steel, vintner, read, and the summons at his instance against his creditors being
called and none compeering, protection was granted him from personal execution for payment of all
sums of money for a year and a day after this date, in manner particularly following:
Protection in favor of Patrick Steel
and many many names, and,
Samuel MacLellan, merchant in Edinburgh
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[A1703/5/4]
[Master roll of parliament]
A true list of the lords, barons and burgesses in this present parliament of Scotland, met at Edinburgh
upon 6 May 1703.
Many many others, and,
Lords 50
x [...] MacLellan, lord Kirkcudbright
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1704/7/69]
Act anent supply
Many many others, and,
For the stewartry of Kirkcudbright: [James Stewart], earl of Galloway, [William Gordon], viscount of
Kenmure, Mr John Gordon of Greenlaw, Sir Robert Grierson of Lag, Sir George Maxwell of Orchardton,
Patrick Murdoch of Cumloden, Patrick Dunbar of Machriemore, Patrick Heron of that ilk, Patrick Heron,
younger of that ilk, Alexander MacKie of Palgowan, Andrew Heron of Bargally, William Muir of
Cassencarrie, Robert Brown of Carsluith, Samuel Hannah of Kirdale, John MacCulloch of Barholm,
Samuel MacDowall of Glen, Alexander Murray of Broughton, William Maxwell of Cardoness, David
MacCulloch of Ardwall, Hugh MacGuffock of Rusco, William MacGuffock, younger of Rusco, Ephraim
MacLellan of Barmagachan, James Gordon of Largmore, John Carson of Balmaghie, Nathaniel Gordon of
Carleton, Alexander Brown of Kempleton, John Gordon of Kirkconnel, Alexander Gordon of Earlston,
Robert Gordon of Garvery,† William Kennedy of Knockreoch, Adam Newall of Barskeoch, William
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
53
Gordon of Holm, William Gordon of Shirmers, John Neilson of Corsock, William Craik of Duchrae, Samuel
Brown of Mollance, Roger Gordon of Troqueer, James Gordon, younger of Troqueer, Charles MacLellan
of Collin, Robert MacLellan of Barcloy, the provost of Kirkcudbright, James Gordon of Campbelton,
William Herries of Mabie, Robert Maxwell of Hesselfield, William Lindsay of Mains, Robert Maxwell,
younger of Hills, John Sharp of Hoddam, Adam Craik of Arbigland, Robert Johnston of Kelton, William
Copland of Collieston, James MacAdam of Waterhead, William Young of Auchenskeoch, Edward Gawdie
of Craigmuie, William Grierson of Bargaton, William Stewart of Shambelly, Doctor Murray, portioner of
Cavens, John Brown of Nunland, Mungo Lindsay, younger of Wauchope, Charles Murray of Barnbarroch,
Mr Andrew Ewart of Mulloch, minister of Kells, William Laurie of Barnsoul, Alexander Stewart, younger
of Tannargie and Mr John Brown, factor to the estate of Baldoon.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert was to be put in the stocks until sunset and thereafter jailed, while his parents were banished
from Kirkcudbright, 11 May 1642. Elsewhere in the Burgh Court book there is a refernce to Margaret
McClellan, sister of Lord Kirkcudbright.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Captain William McClellan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 15 December 1617 Sir Robert McClellan of Bombie received 720 merks from Thomas Kelso in
Bellchachanner, county Down, in exchange for 300 acres in the "Clothiers porportion". Deed registered
on 6 December 1620 [NAS.RD.301]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas McClellan of Mullochmoir gave bond to James Hamilton of Ballychemagry, County Tyrone, in
1619, which was witnessed by Thomas McClellan of Straby. The deed was registered on 21 March 1621.
[NAS.RD1.304]
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McClellan of Chapetown and Borness papers 1667 -1804
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ship: Henry and Francis. Sailed from Scotland in 1685
McClellan Robert
McClellan Margaret
McClellan Andrew Died at sea
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
54
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
55
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
56
Map of St. Fillans Church & Well
MacLellan / mac Gille Faelan / son of the Servant of little Wolf
57
Oft called the 'quigrich', the pastoral staff, of St Fillan is one of the best preserved and documented.
Seen here enclosed in its outer casing of gilt silver.
Only the head of the quigrich remains (silver-gilt with
a smaller crozier of bronze inclosed within it).
St Fillan and arrived at Glendochart around 730 AD
from Ireland. Unusually his relics were entrusted to
the custody of laymen (hence deòradh Gaelic for
stranger) in Glendochart rather than the monks of
the priory.
The quigrich stayed with the same family of Dewsars
in Glendochart for around 900 years until it was sold
to the McDonnells of Glengarry. However in time the
Dewars' fortunes bought it back eventually being
placed in the National Museum of Antiquities in
Edinburgh by Alexander Dewar.