Map of Scotland showing where the Mclellan arms are recorded
The Mclellan arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1685.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Mclellan 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Mclellan Family in Scotland
The surname McLellan originates from the Gaelic name Mac Gille Fhaolain, which translates to son of the servant of Saint Fillan. This name reflects a deep historical connection to early Celtic religious traditions in Scotland. By the late seventeenth century, members of the family were well-established in the city of Edinburgh. Records from 1685 confirm their presence in the capital during a time of significant political and social transition in Scotland. As the family moved through the centuries, they integrated into the urban life of Edinburgh, contributing to the local economy and the development of the city. Their presence in the capital suggests that the family had moved away from their ancestral roots in the western Highlands and Galloway to pursue new opportunities in the center of Scottish governance and trade.
Mclellan Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Gille Fhaolain
Son of the servant of Saint Fillan.
This name
MclellanDerived from a Gaelic patronymic indicating devotion to a specific Scottish saint.
also spelled
McLellan
MacLelland
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Register of Testaments, Edinburgh Commissariot, CC8/8. 1685
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
