History of Clan MacLellan
The Sons of St. Fillan: History of Clan MacLellan
Clan MacLellan (Gaelic: MacGille Fhaolain) translates to "Son of the Servant of St. Fillan." The name Fillan itself derives from the Celtic faelchu, meaning "wolf." The clan’s origins are deeply rooted in the ancient district of Galloway in southwest Scotland. They trace their lineage to Cane McGillolane, a knight in the late 13th century who descended from the ancient Lords of Galloway. Originally supporters of the Balliol claim to the throne, the MacLellans eventually became staunch defenders of the Scottish Crown, holding the lands of Bombie as their ancestral seat.
The Douglas Feud and Mons Meg
In the 15th century, the clan became embroiled in a deadly feud with the powerful Earls of Douglas. In 1452, Sir Patrick MacLellan of Bombie, the Sheriff of Galloway, refused to join the Earl of Douglas in a conspiracy against the King. Douglas besieged and captured Sir Patrick, imprisoning him in Threave Castle. Despite a Royal order for his release, the Earl had Sir Patrick murdered while entertaining the King’s messenger at dinner. Local tradition holds that the famous cannon Mons Meg was used by the MacLellans to batter Threave Castle in revenge for their chief’s murder. The clan’s second motto, Superba Frango ("I Break the Proud"), is said to commemorate this event.
The Gypsy Chief and the Crest
Following the conflict with the Douglases, the MacLellan estates were forfeited but later restored by King James II thanks to a legendary feat. A bandit leader (sometimes described as a "gypsy" or "Moor") was terrorizing the district. The King promised the lands of Bombie to anyone who could defeat him. Sir William MacLellan tracked the bandit down, killed him, and carried his head to the King on the point of his sword. This act is immortalized in the Clan Crest, which features a Moor’s head on a sword point, and the motto Think On.
Royal Service and the Lords Kirkcudbright
The MacLellans were consistently loyal to the Stuart monarchs.
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Flodden (1513): Sir William MacLellan of Bombie fell fighting alongside King James IV.
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Civil War: Sir Robert MacLellan was a courtier to James VI and Charles I, created Lord Kirkcudbright in 1633. The 3rd Lord was so zealous in his support for the Royalist cause during the Civil War that he ruined the family estates, forcing the sale of their lands.
The family seat, MacLellan’s Castle in the town of Kirkcudbright, remains a striking ruin today, a testament to their former power and prestige.
The Clan Today
The title of Lord Kirkcudbright became dormant in 1832. Today, the clan is armigerous (without a confirmed chief) but remains active globally, particularly in Nova Scotia and the United States. A distinct branch of MacLellans is also found in the Western Isles, particularly on Uist, where they are known as Clann Iain Mhóir. Whether in the Lowlands or the Hebrides, the MacLellans are remembered as the "Wolf's Servants" who broke the proud and served the King.