McLellan Coat of Arms and Surname Origin

Whether you spell it McLellan or McClellan, the story begins in the same place. Read literally, McLellan points to “Son of St Fillan's servant”.

Family crest and blazon

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the McClellan surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon.

McLellan and McClellan

McLellan drops the “c” of McClellan, a shortening that clerks often made. Local scribes, dialects and emigration all left their mark on how the name was written. You may also find the name written McLelland, MacLellan and McLelan.

6,318 Americans were listed as McLellan in the 2010 census. That puts it among the top 10,000 US surnames. Get the complete McLellan report, with a museum-style coat of arms.