The Lie in the 1957 MacLaren Petition to the Lyon Court for Chiefship of Clan MacLaren

Map published in Highland Settlement in Western Perthshire a Thesis

The 1957 MacLaren Petition to the Lyon Court contains a lie, pure and simple. An intentional lie that mislead the court and resulted in a family member of an obscure family of McLarens from Achtoo and later London, to become chief of the surname MacLaren. The Petition was written and submitted by an officer of the Court, Iain Moncrieffe with Donald Maclaren and Margaret Maclaren assisting. Below within quotation marks is the salutation and item 1. from the MacLaren Petition.

"UNTO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD LYON KING OF ARMS.

The Petition of Major

DONALD MacLAREN of MacLAREN AND ACHLESKINE in the Earldom of Strathearn and County of Perth, CHIEF OF THE NAME OF MacLAREN, as Heir Male and Representative of the ancient House of Achleskine, HEAD OF THE CLAN LABHRAN.

Humbly Sheweth:

1. THAT the Petitioner, as hereinafter shewn, is the heir male and representative of the ancient House of Achleskine, Chiefs of the Name of MacLaren and hereditary Heads of the Clan Labhran; AND THAT the said Clan Labhran throughout its history has been centred on Achtoo within Achleskine in Balquhidder, in the ancient earldom of Strathearn."

Before we get to the lie, the Earldom of Strathearn fell during the time of Malise V in the 1350s. A stretch to the pedigree of peerage, since the first recorded McLaren in Balquhidder was Malcum Maklawryn at Invernenty in 1512, one-hundred-fifty years later. The first recorded Auchleskine McLaren was Finlay Makneill V'Laurent in Auchaliskin, a witness in a 1586 bond.

“Achtoo within Auchleskine in Balquhidder” is the lie, repeated frequently in the petition. Achtoo is not within Auchleskine in Balquhidder, never has been. In all of the ancient land deeds from 1511 to today, they are listed as seperate properties. Why would they write that “Achtoo within Auchleskine in Balquhidder” in the Petition and also in Margaret’s book ‘The MacLarens A History of Clan Labhran’ when you can see from the map that the three Achtoos are not within Auchleskine.

The reason is, the 'House of Auchleskine' was the clan MacLaren chiefs duchthus, according to Patrick Stewart (ex of Ledcreich, Balquhidder) living in Cheraw, South Carolina in 1763. Patrick’s assertion is the single primary source for the claim that the clan McLaren chief’s ‘duchthus’ was Auchleskine.

Unfortunately for the wanna be clan chief, Donald’s tenant ploughman McLaren ancestors lived at Achtoo, so they created the lie that Achtoo was within Auchleskine. The Achtoos later became part of the Edinchip estate, when the chiefs of clan Gregor owned it, and Donald McLaren's ancestors were their tenant ploughman on the estate.

Here are contemporaneous primary examples of Achtoo, never being considered as within Auchleskine, but as an adjacent property.

In 1511 King James IV grants the lands westward from the Edinchip estate that include Auchleskine, Tulloch, Lednascridan, Kirkton, the three Auctoos, Cuill and Drumness, all of them clearly defined none a part of the other, to Ross of Craigie. JRMS ii no 3668

That pattern continues for two more centuries. In 1541 Auahleskin, Kirktoun de Balquhidthir, Lauchinskreden, cum earundem molendinof, Tulloch, cum tribus Auchintowis, Cowill, Coltuchchir [FDY]1541 {RMS iii no 2448). In 1558 Auchlesken, Kirktoun de Balquhidder, Lauchinskreden, Tulloch, cum tribus Auchintowis, Cowill 1558 {RMS iv no 1331)

In 1558 John Ross of Craigie sold Auchleskine, the Kirkton of Balquhidder, Lednascriden with the mill, the three Achtows, Tulloch, and Cuilt to David Lord Drummond and his spouse Dame Lilias Ruthven. The lands were forfeited to the Crown by the Jacobite Drummonds in 1746.

So, as you can plainly see, Achtoo was never considered within Auchleskine. The MacLaren couple and their accomplice, repeat the lie throughout the Petition shown below. And is the sole justification for receiving chiefly ensigns from the Lyon Court. Nevermind that around 1711 their genealogical link to Auchleskine skips three generations. Since when can you skip generations in a legal document?

 

McLaurins in Appin and Ardchattan parishes, compiled after Culloden

The two contemporaneous rosters of McLaurins in Appin and Ardchattan parishes, compiled after Culloden.

6 July 1746 at Islandstalker, List of persons within the parish of Lismore and Appin who have not delivered up thier Arms.

“The Stonefield list adds substantially to our understanding of the composition of the Appin Regiment 1745-46. In the absence of indications to the contrary it is assumed that these rebels served with the Appin Regiment.” Angus Stewart, Q.C. And A. T. B. Stewart, C.B.E. “The Stonefield list challenges the notion that the MacLarens who fought under the Appin banner were all Balquhidder men motivated by a centuries old bond between the clans. The MacLarens in the Stonefield list are local tenants and retainers.” Angus Stewart, Q.C. And A. T. B. Stewart, C.B.E.

Auchiblair: Lachlan McLearan, Euan (Hugh) McLearan, Duncan McLearan, Tenants

Glenourock: Lachlan McLearan, Doctor - see below, Donald McLearan, his servant - see below, Learan McLearan, also his servant, John McLearan, Boat Carpenter, McIan vic Euen vic Lauchlan, The Doctor’s herder

Blar-nan-laogh: John Bane McLearan, Servant to old Lauchlan McLearan, Tenant

Fasnacloich: Donald McLearan, Servant to Fasnacloich, Euan McLearan, Miller

Campbell of Glenure in Ardchattan Parish Euan Bane (John the Pale) McLearan, Servant to Duncan Campbell Barcaldine’s Brother, Duncan McLearan his other servant, John McLearan brother to the above an idle man. McLaurin Rebels = 13

3 May 1746, List of Heretors Tennants Servants and Cottars 3 May 1746, List of Heretors Tennants Servants and Cottars that are at home and of those that are abroad in the Present Rebellion out of the Country of Appine and Glencoe Those at home in the Ten pound land of Airds only excepted. Compiled three weeks after Culloden, by Dougal Stewart, 10th chief of Appin. A legal document submitted to chief of the Lord Justice-Clerk, Andrew Fletcher, Lord Milton. “The list has 294 names, 132 at home and 162 abroad (rebels). If the chiefs were tempted to maximize the number of stay-at-homes, he must have been under pressure to give the names of all rebels in the district.” “The beleaguered chief of Appin was undoubtedly trying to give the impression that, on the question of support for the Prince, the clan was almost equally divided. Whether this was in fact correct cannot be stated without knowing the age and fighting quality of the men who stayed at home. The stay-at-homes might have been home guard material. The possibility 46 cannot be excluded that some of them took part in local operations. This would be consistent with observations made at the time by the commander of the Redcoat garrison at Castle Stalker.” The Stewarts, Vol XX #3, 1998

The MacLaurins in Appin’s List are reproduced here with the original spellings. “Abroad” means that they were out fighting with the Regiment. “At Home” means just that they stayed home and were the “Home Guard”

The Appine’s Estate: Sallachan: At home Duncan McColl and Duncan Mclarine Blarnaloe: At home Lauchlane Mclarine and John Mclarine his son - Lauchlane is Duncan at Invernayhle’s father.

Glenouroch: Abroad Lauchlane McLarine, John McLarine, Donald McLarine

Kenlochlaich: Abroad John Mclarine, a large farm

Sheunay: Abroad Ewen Mclarine

Elerick: Abroad Hugh Mclarine, Tack to Campbell of Glenure (who was murdered in 1752)

Carmichael, Baron of Annat’s Estate Croft of Annat: Abroad Hugh Mclarine and Hugh McColl

Campbell Aird’s Estate: Auchblar: At home Donald Mclarine (holder) Abroad Duncan Mclarine, Hugh (Euan) Mclarine, Donald McColl

Ardsheal’s Estate: Acharr: Abroad John Mclarine and Donald Mclarine - the next generation immigrated to North Carolina on “Jupiter of Lorne” with McColls and Stewarts in the 1770’s, arriving in time for the Revolutionary War. Petition signed by Catherine Colquhoun, relict of John McLaren of Acharr a Culloden survivor. In 1755 a Letter of Complaint signed at Duror by Donald McLearin of Acharr a Culloden survivor. Extracts from “Journal of the MacColl Society” or “Cuairtear Chloinn Cholla” July & August 1969

Ballichelishes Estate Laroch: At home Donald Mclarine

Fasnacloich’s Estate Fasnacloich: At home Donald Mclarine Abroad Ewine Mclarine

Invernayhle’s Estate Invernayhle: At home Duncan Mclarine - Probably Ba- Duncan who went to North Carolina in 1790, interred in Stewartsville Cy near Laurinburg.

McLaurin At home = 8, Abroad = 12

x

Who are the Argyll McLaurins?

The McLaurins and McLarens from the Isle of Tiree, Appin and Ardchattan parishes in Argyll are not Balquhidder or Strathearn MacLarens according to the Lyon Court, YDNA and the historical record. 

The Argyll McLaurins did not come from Balquhidder as supporters of Dougal McLaurin of Ardveich, Strathearn in the mid 1400s, who later became Dougal Stewart of Appin I. A story that is found in many Scottish history books, it is the other way around.

Dougal McLaurin was actually raised on the shores of Loch Etive, Benderloch, Argyll just a few miles east of Dunstaffange Castle the residence of his father Sir John Stewart of Lorn, Benderloch, where his ancestors had lived for hundreds of years, since the time of the Dalriadic Cénel Loairn. The similarity in Loairn to Laurin is a coincidence, one does not come from the other. Loch Etive is also from where, in the 1790s, several Appin and Benderloch McLaurins left for North Carolina on the ship Mary Ann.

John MacLaurin, Lord Dreghorn, undifferenced chiefly arms 1781

Artwork by William Semple in The Scottish Tartans 1966 Ed., with Sir Thomas Innes of Learney 

BEARS Argent a Sheepherds Crook Sable.
St. Columba's staff, now in the possessesion of Livingstone of Bachuill.
CREST  a Lady from the middle upwards issuing out of the Wreath in her arms a Child both proper and habited Vert
MOTTO Bi'se mac ant' Slaurie (son of the hearth hook)
SUPPORTERS two Tritons proper
Matriculated 6th of October 1781."

"In granting him [Major Donald MacLaren] the appropriate arms, with supporters, the Lord Lyon makes a distinction between the MacLarens of Balquhidder and Strathearn, and the MacLarens [MacLaurins] of Tiree, whose arms and descent are, his Lordship holds, those of a different race" Sir Thomas Innes of Learney 1957

Sir Thomas Innes of Learney is the Lord Lyon who awarded Major Donald Maclaren the Chiefship of the Balquhidder and Strathearn MacLarens in 1958. This means the current Chief Donald MacLaren of MacLaren and Auchleskine has over reached his authority by claiming that Argyll McLaurins and McLarens are members his clan, which we are not. According to legal documents that would withstand judicial review the Carolina McLaurins are the same as the Tiree MacLarens described above by Sir Thomas Innes of Learney.

And more recently

"As you descend from the Tiree Maclaurins I can see no reason why you should not use a  crest badge taken from the crest and motto of that Maclaurin recording but, of course, no-one has made up title to these arms last recorded in 1781 and thus this branch has had no recognised chief for nearly 250 years.

Yours sincerely

Elizabeth Roads"

Mrs. Christopher Roads, LVO, FSA.,
Snawdoun Herald,
Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records,
Court of the Lord Lyon,
HM New Register House,
Edinburgh, EH1 3YT

By definition of the Court of the Lord Lyon Clan McLaurin is an armigerous clan. An armigerous clan is a Scottish clan, family or name which is registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon and once had a chief who bore undifferenced arms, but does not have a chief currently recognized as such by Lyon Court.

YDNA

The chart below is taken from the Scottish DNA Project https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/scottishdna/dnaresults

webpage, which shows that there are many, many men with a wide variety of surnames that are closely related according to their STR Markers. Since the percentage of illegitimate children in Scotland of centuries past was so high, some scholars estimate as high as 40% were ‘natural’ and not ‘germain’ children. The result is that there are a lot of closely related men with different surnames.

The majority of Argyll McLaurins have a DYS-576 Marker value of 17, the last column on the far right. The majority of Balquhidder and Loch Tay McLarens have a DYS-576 marker value of 18, and a few 19's.

The Historical Record

Three branches using a form of 'son of Laurance' by the mid 1500's

In 1470 the Lordship of Lorne, where the soon to be called 'McLaurin or son of Laurence' ecclesiastical families had lived for centuries was divided by Colin M’Gilleasbaig M’Conochy Campbell, first Earl of Argyll between Dougal M’Iain M’ Robert Stewart of Appin I and Colin M’Conochy Campbell of Glenorchy I, this declaration, divided the family Labhruinn's territory and eliminated many of the MacDougal holdings in Appin and parts of Ardchattan.

In the early and mid 1500's many Argyll McLaurin families were induced to move into Perthshire, with most living on the Tay River from Strathfillan then northeast to Atholl. A few families were placed as tenants in Balquhidder by their Campbell chief the Earl of Argyll.

It was Grey Colin Campbell of Glenurchy who first assigned the Makolcallums’ as part of the kin-group he described as V’Lauranes in a 1559 Bond of Manrent. Because of Glenorchy, we have a fairly complete four generation genealogy of McLaurin men contained in three Clanlawren Bonds of Manrent. The 1559 bond contains the descendants of the first McLaurins to arrive in Balquhidder in 1512 and others that followed all probably closely related.

The first McLaren arrives in Balquhidder in 1512. Malcolm M’Olcallum V’Laurane settled at Invernenty, Balquhidder in 1512 along with four MacIntires who are also from Lorn. It appears that Malcolm Maklawryn and Gilbert Makyntyr are paying a reduced rate for the woodlands which other tenants have the right to use without destruction. A forest conservation program in place by the Campbells. The Clann Dubhghaill Cheire MacGregour’s also lived at Invernenty and nearby Drumlich, the two families would intermarry frequently, but there were problems, the MacGregors attempted to displace Invernenty MacLaurins with violence and perhaps were successful in the 1550s. Resulting in the Coule Keir MacGregors required to sign a Bond of Calpes to Campbell of Glenurchy in 1559 as punishment.

At Stirling, on the first of June in the 512th year [ie 1512]. Innernenty; £6 13s 4d, with the consent of William Stewart who had the same in fee-farm, is now assessed to the underwritten tenants just as is particularized above, that is to say,

To Donald Makyntyr, £5 for two marklands and a half, to be paid in respect thereof annually, with part of the marts,
To John Makyntyr, £5 for two marklands and a half, to be paid in respect thereof annually, with part of the marts,
To Gilbert Makyntyr, £5 for two marklands and a half, to be paid in respect thereof annually, with part of the marts,
To Duncan Makyntyr, 1s for one markland and a 40 shillings land, to be paid in respect thereof annually, with part of the marts,
And to Malcolm Maklawryn, 1s for one markland and a 40 shillings land, With this condition, that the rest of the tenants of the Lord of Buchquhiddir shall have licence to take timber for their necessities, without destruction [of the woodland], And for entry of a new infeudation £40, out of which sum £13 6s 8d is to be paid by the said tenants, and £26 13s 4d by the said William Stewart. (transcribed from Rotuli scaccarii Regum Scotorum Vol. VIII, Pg. 638)

It appears that Malcolm Maklawryn and Gilbert Makyntyr are paying a reduced rate for the woodlands which other tenants have the right to use without destruction. A forest conservation program in place by the Campbells. 

Malcolm’s son Malcolm M’Olcallum elder and grandsons (with the same names of course) are in the 1559 bond, with their great grandsons in a 1606 bond to Campbell of Glenurchy, which gives us where they lived. In the 1559 Bond, there are six other family groups of V’Laurane the MacPatricks, the MacAllens, the MacDougalls, the MacEwens, the MacDuncans and the MacJohns, with John the servant of Cristine the last of name are all the clan MacLaurin. You can track the names, in the three bonds, most names contain three generations such as Nicoll M'Ane VTatrick Moir (Nicol son of John son of big Patrick) in the 1573 ClanLawren Bond to Glenurchy. The Balquhidder MacLaurin history is for another time.

8 November 1559 Clanlaurane homage transferred. This very important legal document pertaining to Clanlaurane and the only one written in the royal burgh of Sterling, on 8 Nov 1559 confirms that several McLaurane families from Kilmartin Parish south of Loch Etive in Argyll, had moved into Perthshire. Two weeks later on 21 November 1559 at Balloch on Loch Tay in Perthshire, Alexander McLaurane and his followers from Kilmartin parish gave their Bond to Colyne Campbell of Glenurchy. This document is one of two, that directly contradicts the legend that McLarens had been in Perthshire since the time of Kenneth McAlpine, it also eliminates any notion of a Strathearn origin for Clanlaurane before the early 1500’s. 

“WE Archibald Erie of Ergyle . . . grantis ws to haif gevin ... To our traist cousyng Colyne Campbell of Glenurquhay and his allis male the manrent homage and sendee quhilk our predecessouris andwe had and hes of the haill kyn and surname of the Clanlaurane and their posterite togidder with the uptaking of thair calpis . . . Prowyding the said Colyne obtene . . . thair consent . . . thairunto . . .

In witnes of the quhilk thyng to thir presentis subscriuit with our hand our propir seill is affixt at the burgh of Sterueling the aucht day of Nouember the yeir of God M v and fifty nyn yeiris befoir thir witnes Johne Campbell off Inuerlevir Johne Corswell persone of Kilmartyne and Andro Quhit. And this we gif for the gud and faythfull sendee that the said Colyne hes done to ws. ARD. ERGYLL.” Black Book of Taymouth 

In the 18th century many of the indigenous Appin McLaurins that had remained in the original homeland, along with related Livingstones, MacKenzies, MacDougalls, MacColls and Stewarts, including a handful of "Culloden Veterans" emigrated to Richmond County, North Carolina in 1790 where they flourished. North and South Carolina where there are more Scots living today than in Scotland itself.

McLaurin, MacLaurin, McLaren, McLerran, McLarran, McLarine, McClaren and more are all found in historical and genealogical records for the same persons surname, especially in the United States. This makes research more difficult, compared to researching names Campbell, McDonald, Stewart, McColl or McCall for example. And like Sherry says, "they are all named Hugh".