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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> MacLennan

MacLennan Clan Tattoos In Gaelic this name is rendered as 'MacGille Finnan', son of the follower of St. Finnan. Who St. Finnan's disciple truly was is now lost in the mists of time. The history of the Maclennans is made particularly complex by the fact that until 1976 there had not been a recognized chief for over three hundred years.

The Maclennans settled around Kintail, and they were related to the Logans, who also held lands in Easter Ross. (The Logans were to become most prominent in the Lowlands, where they became Barons of Restalrig, near the Port of Leith.) However other historians have suggested that the original name of the clan was Logan, and it was not until the 15th century that the name was adopted. According to this version of the family's origins, Gillegorm Logan led his men towards Inverness to prosecute a feud against the Frasers. Gillegorm was ambushed at Kessock and he and his men were slain.

Whatever the truth of this story, the heraldry of the chief proclaims the link between the Logans and the Maclennans, as each bear the heart and passion nails which allude to the pilgrimage of Sir Robert and Walter Logan accompanying the heart of Robert the Bruce to the Crusades. The expedition led by Sir James Douglas, never saw the Holy Land. The Scots knights reached Spain, and they were enlisted to fight the Moors

Clan MacLennan Motto: Dum Spiro Spero
From Latin: While I breath I hope

See also: Claddagh, Thistle Tattoos, Scottish Lion Tattoo Designs, Welsh Dragon Tattoos, Scottish Tattoo Designs, Celtic Tattoo Designs, Family Crests