| ![Show Contents]() McParland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
Etymology of McParlandWhat does the name McParland mean? The McParland family comes from the ancient Scottish Dalriadan clans of the mountainous west coast of Scotland. The name McParland is derived from the personal name Parlan, which is the Gaelic equivalent of Bartholomew. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Pharlain. 1 McParland Coat of Arms CreationIn clan fights the MacFarlanes were generally on the losing side, but at the battle of Langside they were instrumental in turning the tide of battle at the crucial moment. It is told that MacFarlane came up with three hundred of his men, and, falling on the flank of the Queen's army, threw them into disorder, and thus contributed to the deciding of the fortunes of the day. The MacFarlanes captured three of Queen Mary's standards in the fray. The chief's reward was not a very tangible one, and is scarcely creditable to the Regent Moray, being merely a crest which flattered his vanity, a demi-savage holding in his right hand a sheaf of arrows and pointing with his left to an imperial crown. The motto borne upon a scroll above the head of the savage is " This I'll defend." 2 Early Origins of the McParland familyThe surname McParland was first found in Aberdeenshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Obar Dheathain), a historic county, and present day Council Area of Aberdeen, located in the Grampian region of northeastern Scotland, where they were descended from the ancient Chief Allan, son of Farlane and settled in Strathdonn in Aberdeenshire about the 9th century. This Clan was originally known as the Clan Allan. Official documentation is derived from Gilchrist MacFarlane who was brother of Maldowen, third of the ancient Earls of Lennox in the 13th century. Grandson of Gilchrist was Parlan, the first of the Clan so named. Duncan, sixth Chief of the Clan obtained the lands of Arrochar in 1395. They supported the Earls of Lennox at the Battle of Pinkie, and they also distinguished themselves at the Battle of Langside, fighting against Queen Mary and capturing three of the Queen's standards. 3 The MacFarlane Clan acquired the lands of Arrochar from the Earl of Lennox in the late 14th century. The chief, Duncan, gained many of the surrounding lands through marriage in 1395 and claimed the title of Earl of Lennox upon the death of the old Earl, who had left no male heir. In fact, the MacFarlanes had a reasonable claim to the Earldom of Lennox, for which they fought so strenuously, for their eponymous ancestor was Parlan, the great-grandson of Gilchrist. His brother had been Maldowen, the third of the ancient earls of Lennox during the 13th century. When the title of Earl was conferred upon Sir John Stewart, a bitter feud ensued between the MacFarlanes and the Stewarts, which lasted until the 15th century. Interestingly, in the next century, the warlike MacFarlanes became supporters of their erstwhile foes and distinguished themselves in many battles. However, by the 17th century, the Clan was outlawed and became scattered, with some members immigrating to Ireland and later to America. Early History of the McParland familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McParland research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1705, 1734, 1758, 1767, 1768, 1771, 1791, 1792, 1804, 1832, 1857 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McParland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McParland Spelling VariationsSpelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. McParland has appeared in various documents spelled MacFarlane, MacFarlain, MacFarlan, MacFarland, MacParlan, MacParland, MacPartland, MacPartlin, MacPharlane, MacPharlin, MacPharlan and many more. Early Notables of the McParland familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was Walter MacFarlan (d. 1767), antiquary, second son of John Macfarlan of Arrochar and Helen, daughter of Robert, second viscount Arbuthnot, succeeded his father in 1705. From his early years Macfarlan devoted himself to antiquarian research connected with the history of Scotland. Ecclesiastical records specially attracted him, and he employed a clerk named Tait to make copies of most of the cartularies accessible to him; the copies are notable for their accuracy and neatness. Macfarlan appears to have held strict views on etiquette. 4Duncan MacFarlane (1771-1857), principal of Glasgow University, son of Duncan Macfarlane...
Another 197 words (14 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McParland Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the McParland family to IrelandSome of the McParland family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| McParland migration to the United States | + |
Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name McParland or a variant listed above:
McParland Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Ann McParland, aged 45, who settled in America from Armagh, in 1893
McParland Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Ellen McParland, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from Armagh, in 1904
- James McParland, aged 35, who landed in America from Armagh, in 1904
- Edward McParland, aged 22, who landed in America from Belleck, Ireland, in 1910
- Jennie Mcparland, aged 23, who settled in America from Newry, Ireland, in 1913
- Daniel McParland, aged 28, who landed in America from Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1920
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name McParland (post 1700) | + |
- Leland S. McParland (1896-1989), American Wisconsin Democratic attorney and politician
- James McParland (1843-1919), Irish-born, American Pinkerton agent, referred to as the "Great Detective", best known for his work against the Molly Maguires, and a fictional appearance in The Valley of Fear
- Susan McParland, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1976
- Leland S. McParland, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Wisconsin, 1952; Wisconsin Democratic State Chair, 1954-56; Member of Wisconsin State Senate 7th District
- Tony Patrick McParland (b. 1982), Scottish football player
- Ian 'Charlie' John McParland (b. 1961), Scottish former professional association football player
- Anthony McParland (b. 1982), Scottish football player
- Peter James McParland MBE (b. 1934), Northern Irish former professional footballer
| Historic Events for the McParland family | + |
- Mr. Terence Mcparland, Irish Fireman from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 5
| McParland Motto and War Cry | + |
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: This I'll defend
War Cry: "Loch Sloy, Loch Sloy"
War Cry Description: Their gathering place was a small lake near the base of Ben Voirlich, and from it they took their war cry, "Loch Sloy, Loch Sloy," a. name which means "the lake of the host."
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
 |
