A Scottish name that has become numerous in Ireland. 106 Irish births recorded in 1890 (mainly in Ulster) 54 of them were spelt MacClean and 43 MacLean, the other 9 were MacAlean, MacCiane etc. In Scotland it is the name of the clan Maclean. Their connexion with Ireland began with their employment by the MacDonnels as mercenary soldiers, dates from the fifteenth century. Eoghan Macgilleoin (Ewan MacLean), is mentioned, as a Scottish scribe writing Irish in Argyllshire in 1698. In Ireland it is Mac giolla Eáin or Mac giolla Eoin. The London highwayman James MacLaine (1724-1750), executed after robbing Horace Walpole, was from Co. Monaghan.