Septs of Clan MacFarlane

Historical Context: Taken from Parlan, a grandson of the Earl of Lennox. His descendants established the clan and adopted his name in the 14th century.

Lennox

Surname Origin & Association: A territorial surname from the district of Lennox (Gaelic Leamhnachd), meaning “place of elms.”

Historical Context: The MacFarlanes descend from the Earls of Lennox. Some families retained the Lennox name while serving under the MacFarlane chiefs.

Allan (Allen, Allanach, Allanson, Allison)

Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic Ailín, a personal name meaning “harmony” or “rock.”

Historical Context: Descended from a younger son of a MacFarlane chief. These families settled in the northeast and took the name Allan.

Bartholomew (Bartlett, Bartleman, Barty, Bryce)

Surname Origin & Association: From Aramaic Bar-Talmai, meaning “son of Talmai.” Gaelic form Parlan is the root of MacFarlane.

Historical Context: Used to honor the clan’s eponymous ancestor. Variants became surnames for cadet families.

Galbraith (Galbreath)

Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic Mac a’ Bhreatannaich, meaning “son of the Briton.”

Historical Context: A neighboring Lennox family with close ties to MacFarlane through land and marriage alliances.

MacNair (MacNeur)

Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic Mac an Oighre, meaning “son of the heir.”

Historical Context: Refers to descendants of a MacFarlane heir. Became a surname after a clan succession dispute.

MacInally (MacAnally, McInnally)

Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic Mac an Ollaimh, “son of the learned man.”

Historical Context: A family of hereditary bards and physicians in MacFarlane lands. Recognized for their learned service.

Napier

Surname Origin & Association: From Middle English napier, meaning a steward in charge of linens.

Historical Context: Allied with MacFarlane through marriage into the Lennox line. Recognized as kin in clan tradition.

Stewart (Steuart)

Surname Origin & Association: From the royal house of Stewart, originally a title for the High Steward of Scotland.

Historical Context: Adopted as an alias by MacFarlane members during political unrest. Reflects loyalty to the Stewart dynasty.

Weaver (Webster, MacNider, MacNiter)

Surname Origin & Association: Occupational surnames for a weaver. Gaelic form is Mac an Fhigheadair.

Historical Context: Used by hereditary weavers within the clan. Anglicized to Weaver or Webster; listed in sept rolls.

References (APA Style)

Black, G. F. (1946). The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library.

Clan MacFarlane Society Australia. (n.d.). Surnames Associated with Clan MacFarlane. https://clanmacfarlane.org.au

MacFarlane, J. (1893). History of the Clan MacFarlane. Glasgow: Clan MacFarlane Society.

Electric Scotland. (n.d.). Clan MacFarlane. http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/macfarl.html

Way, G., & Squire, R. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. Glasgow: HarperCollins.