A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mclennan family of England.
Reg. 5473 · English, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
handFaith, sincerity and justice
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Quarterly, 1st, or, a rock ppr.; 2nd, ar. a dexter hand couped in fesse ppr. holding a cross crosslet fitchée gu.; 3rd, az. a galley, sails furled and a flag gu.; 4th, in chief two eagles' heads erased gu. in base az. a salmon naiant ar”
SussexHaremere Hall · Sussex, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Mclennan arms are recorded
The Mclennan arms were recorded in Sussex, c. 1620.
Sussex had ironworks in its woods and good farmland on its downs. Both made money, and families who made it bought manors, which is what put their names in the heraldic records.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Mclennan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Sussex.
Origin & History of the Mclennan Family in England
The surname McLennan originates from the Gaelic name Mac Gille Fhinnein, which translates to the son of the follower of Saint Finnian. While the name is most famously associated with the rugged Highlands of Scotland, historical records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in Sussex, England, by 1620. During this period, families often moved across the British Isles for work, trade, or religious reasons, leading to the spread of Scottish names into southern English counties. These early settlers in Sussex likely integrated into the local community while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved from its original Gaelic form to the version commonly used today, reflecting the linguistic shifts that occurred as families moved away from their traditional Gaelic-speaking regions.
Mclennan Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Gille Fhinnein
Son of the servant of Saint Finnian.
This name
MclennanA Scottish and English surname derived from Gaelic, denoting a follower or devotee of Saint Finnian.
also spelled
McLean
MacLaine
MacLain
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
West Sussex Record Office, Parish Register Transcripts, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
handFaith, sincerity and justice
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
handFaith, sincerity and justice
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
