The Clan Maclaren

The Maclarens are the Sons of Laurence, and take their name from there ancestor Laurence, Abbot of Achtow in Balquhidder, who lived in the 13th Century. Balquhidder is the Highland part of Strathearn, around Loch Voil & Lock Earn. The Heraldic beast of the Lordship of Balquhidder is the Mermaid, two of whom support the Maclaren Chiefs shield, which is simply that of the ancient Celtic Earls of Strathearn, differenced by the Black Galley of Lorn and the Isles. The Maclarens were over-run and massacred in 1542 and again in 1558, by the ‘Children of the Mist’, the wildest ‘House Gang’ of the Macgregors, and became for a while, a broken Clan. The Boar’s Rock near Achton and Achleshine in Balquidder was the gathering place and slogan of the Clan Labhran.

laurence, (G) labruinn from latin Laurentius, St. Laurence, latin Laurus a laural, Hence (G) Maclabruinn or Maclaren

Clan Maclaren Septs

1. Paterson, MacPatrick - In bonds of manrent given by the MacLarens to the Campbells of Glenurchy in 1559, and also in 1573, occur the name of ‘ MacPatrick.’ Paterson is but a Lowland rendering of the same name. MacPhater and MacFeat are equated with Paterson

2. MacRory or MacGrory of Perth are MacLarens, according to tradition, and some of them have resumed the macaroon surname.

3. Larnach is said to be a sept of the MacLarens

This is the coat of arms for Clan MacLaren as registered with Lyon Court in Edinburgh.