Clan MacLaren

Clan MacLaren
Clann Labhruinn or MacLabhruinn
Crest: A lion's head erased Sable crowned with an antique crown of six (four visible) points Or, between two branches of laurel issuing from the Wreath at either side of the head both Proper.
Motto	Creag an Tuirc (The boar's rock)
Slogan	CREAG AN TUIRC (The Boar's Rock)
Profile
Region	Highland & Tiree
District	Perthshire
Plant badge	Laurel
Animal	Lion
Chief
Donald MacLaren of MacLaren & Achleskine
The 25th Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLaren
Seat	Kirkton Farm, Balquhidder
Historic seat	Balquhidder, Strathearn
Septs of Clan MacLaren M'Laren, Maclaren, Maclaurin, Maclauren, McLaren, McLaurin, McLeran, McLaran, McLoran, McClaran, McClarin, McClaren, McClarence, Mclarence, Mclaurence, Mclawrence, McClernon, Lawrence, Laurence, Lawrin, Law, Lawson, Low, Lowe, Lawrie, Laurie, Lowery, Lowry, Lowrey, Lowson, Faed, Paterson, Patterson, Pattison, Peterson, Patrick, McPhater, MacPatrick, MacRory, McCrory, McGory, MacRuari, MacGrory, MacIntyre, Wright, McFater
Clan branches MacLaren of Achleskine (Chiefs) MacLaren of Ardveche MacLaren of Invernenty MacLaren of Struthill MacLaurin of Tiree
Allied clans Clan Stewart of Appin
Rival clans Clan MacGregor Clan Buchanan Clan MacFarlane Clan MacDonald of Keppoch Clan Campbell

Clan MacLaren (Scottish Gaelic: Clann mhic Labhrainn) is a Highland Scottish clan. Traditional clan lands include the island of Tiree and the old parish of Balquhidder which includes the villages of Lochearnhead and Strathyre, and is about 18 miles long and 7 miles broad spanning 54,675 acres, long known as "Maclaren Country".

There are two quite separate possible origins for the surname MacLaren. One of these comes from the county of Perthshire while the other comes from the island of Tiree in Argyll. In Argyll the MacLaren family is said to be descended from Fergus MacErc, founder of the kingdom of Dál Riata. In Scottish Gaelic the clan name is Clann Labhruinn. However the ancestor of the MacLarens is generally given as Laurence, Abbot of Achtow in Balquhidder, who lived during the thirteenth century. Balquhidder was part of the ancient princedom of Strathern whose heraldry is shown in the heraldry of the MacLarens. The heraldry borne by the clan suggests that they descend from a cadet branch of the dynasty of the Earls of Strathearn.

There is also a tradition that the MacLarens fought at the Battle of the Standard under Malise I, Earl of Strathearn, for David I of Scotland.

Three names identified as belonging to the Clan MacLaren are found in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, giving allegiance to Edward I of England. These are Maurice of Tiree, Conan of Balquhidder and Leurin of Ardveche. During the Wars of Scottish Independence it is probable that the Clan MacLaren fought for Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn, under the standard of Malise, Earl of Strathearn in 1314, where the English were defeated. The last Gaelic Earl of Strathearn was deprived of his title in 1344 when the MacLarens came under pressure from their more powerful neighbours.