Map of Scotland showing where the Mcclellan arms are recorded
The Mcclellan arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Mcclellan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Mcclellan Family in Scotland
The surname McClellan is of Gaelic origin, derived from the phrase Mac Gille Fhaolain, which translates to son of the servant of Saint Fillan. The family name has deep roots in the southwestern regions of Scotland, particularly in Galloway, where the clan held significant land and influence for centuries. By the middle of the eighteenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. Records confirm that individuals bearing the name were active in the capital by 1748, likely drawn to the city by the expanding opportunities in law, trade, and administration that defined the Scottish Enlightenment. As the family moved from their traditional rural strongholds into the urban environment of Edinburgh, they became part of the growing professional class that helped shape the modern history of the city.
Mcclellan Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Gille Fhaolain
Son of the servant of Saint Fillan.
This name
McclellanA Scottish Gaelic patronymic surname denoting descent from a devotee of the saint.
also spelled
Clelland
Maclelland
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
Way of Plean, George and Squire, Romilly, Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia, 1994
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bordureA difference between branches of one family
