McClenny Family Website
Family Name Speculation

A search for the old Scottish surname McClenny indicates the following historic connections. The facts have been gathered from many sources and represent long years of research by established authorities in these subjects.

MacLennan: Traditionally, they are said to be of ancient Irish origin, and that their Gaelic name translates as "son of the devotee of St. Finan". The MacGillafinnens, or MacLennans, of County Fermanagh in Ulster, were described by the Irish historians as the most royal family in Ireland, whose Chiefs were Lords of Loch Erne and Tairg. In Scotland, the tradition is enhanced by a reputed descent from the Irish Scots who settled Dalriada in western Scotland, occupying Iona, Morvern and Mull. From here they spread to Strathearn in Perthshire, and also to Dumbarton, Galloway and Kirkcudbright. A St. Finnan, who died c.661, was a monk of Iona who later succeeded Aidan at Lindisfarne, and, as it was not uncommon for descendants of disciples' of holy men to be termed "sons of devotees, or servants" of a saint, the name probably enjoyed a revival in Scotland. Adamnan, in his history of St. Columba (ad 521-597), refers to the Maclennans as original and numerous inhabitants of Kintail in the 6th century. From this race, who held Eilean Doman Castle as early as 1263, came the forebears of today's Clan Maclennan. Here they lived as neighbors of the Macruaris, who had been granted the ten davochs of Kintail by David II in 1342. Following a raid on Easter Ross in 1372, the MacLennans were defeated at Drumderfit, near Kessock Ferry by the Frasers and Macraes in the Aird - the sole surviving MacLennan, it is said, owed his life to a "Loban" - a large basket, under which he concealed himself - his descendants thereafter calling themselves "Lobans", or "Logans". A further reverse followed at Lagabraad in 1481, when Duncan MacLennan and his clan were among the defeated, such ending the clan's associations with the Macdonald Islesmen. By 1483 they were in support of the Mackenzies of Kintail and became hereditary standard-bearers to the Chiefs. Like the Macraes, much of their later history is merged with that of the Mackenzies. Ruairidh, the 33rd Chief of MacLennan, who died at Auldearn in 1645, was the forefather of Ronald George MacLennan of Maclennan who was recognized as 34th Chief in 1976. The much loved "Chief Ronald" died in 1989, and was succeeded by his 12 year old son, Ruairidh.

This information may or may not have any validity. It was found by Tony McClenny in June, 2001 while traveling in Scotland. The information showed a copyright 1992 by James Pringle Limited.