Date: March 1, 2019

File: 190406_Bulloch_ScottishNotesandQueries.doc
Revision: A
Note: Each McLea-type name is indicated with small capital letters. However, each name in the original
is given only in conventional Upper/Lowercase.

SCOTTISH NOTES AND QUERIES

SECOND SERIES VOL. V. JULY, 1903 TO JUNE, 1904
JOHN BULLOCH EDITOR
ABERDEEN A. BROWN & CO. 99 ½ UNION STREET
1904

Pg. 145

VOL V AND SERIES } NO. 10 APRIL, 1904 CONTENTS

Queries – The Glenlivet Family of McCollae, McClea, McLea, or McLae – p. 156

Pg. 156-157

434. THE GLENLIVET FAMILY OF MCCOLLAE, MCCLEA, MCLEA OR MCLAE ––Mr.

Adam in his book, “What is my Tartan?” gives the names MacLae, MacLay, MacLea,
MacLeay, under “Septs and Dependents” of Stewart of Appin, and, having found frequent
mention in record to families in Glenlivet called as above, and which names have
presumably the same derivation as those mentioned by Mr. Adam, I should be glad to
know what the original form of the name was, and what was the origin of the Glenlivet
family bearing it. The Stewarts of Drumin, Kilmaichly, Nevie, Tombae, &c., were of old
standing in Glenlivet but I am not aware that the Appin family were connected with them
or with the district. The names mentioned would seem, soon after the middle of the 18th
century, to have been abandoned for the proper clan name, or the families bearing them to
have all removed from Glenlivet. It would be interesting to learn by what names their
descendants are now known. H. D. MCW.

Pg. 161

VOL V AND SERIES } NO. 11 MAY, 1904 CONTENTS

Answers – The Glenlivet Family of McCollae, McClea, McLea, or McLae – p. 176

Pg. 176

434. THE GLENLIVET FAMILY OF MCCOLLAE, MCCLEA, MCLEA OR MCLAE (2ND

S., V., 156). – Some of the names given in this query probably represent mere
eccentricities in spelling. The original name, whatever it may have been, was probably a
territorial designation. Perhaps “McLea” was the earliest form of it. In Icelandic, Lea or
Lee would as hlie or hle, or in Old English hleo, meaning a shade or shelter. In course of
time, the word may have been expanded into “MacLeay,”—a form of spelling used by
Kenneth MacLeay, R.S.A., the distinguished painter of Highland scenes and scenery. His
brother, Macneil Macleay, also a painter, died in Stirling several years ago. Several
families named “McLay” and “MacLeay” are still to be found in different parts of the
country. W. S.

Pg. 177

VOL V AND SERIES } NO. 12 JUNE, 1904 CONTENTS

Answers – The Glenlivet Family of McCollae, McAlea, McLae, or McLea – p. 191

Pg. 191

434. THE GLENLIVET FAMILY OF MCCOLLAE, MCALEA, MCLAE OR MCLEA, 1615-

1766 (2ND S., V., 156, 176). – The following notes were made in the course of genealogical
researches, under the impression that the names might have been forms of McCullie (a
contracted form of McUlleam), which is to be found in the same records: but it seems
clear that the idea is erroneous. The notes may prove of interest to person whose
ancestors were known by some of the names in question, but it is thought likely that some
of the names at all events are not now in use. It is conjectured that the proper name of the
persons bearing them may have been Stewart. Certainly the latter name has long
prevailed, and still prevails in Glenlivet. The association with Stewart families and the
occurrence of “Stuart alias McAlea” is noteworthy. Should the names in question have
been ultimately relinquished for the proper clan name, the difficulties of descendants now
called by the latter, in attempting to trace their descent, without the knowledge that their
ancestors in former times bore a different name, must be almost insuperable. With few
exceptions, such “Glenconnaglass” and “Eister Camdole” which are in the parish of
Kirkmichael (where the name of Stewart also prevailed), the places indicated below are
situate in Glenlivet. I have used several contractions in designating my authorities:--
I.P.R. = Inveraven Parish Registers; I.K.S.R. = Inveraven Kirk Session Records;
E.C.R. = Elgin Commissary Records; P.C.R. = Register of the Privy Council of Scotland.
Patrick Roy MCCOLLAE, Glenconnaglas; Andro MCCOLLAE in Lacothie; Allaster
Roy MCCOLLAE, “then in Cornegald, now in Newie”; Allaster Keill MCCOLLAE in
Eister Camdole. They are stated, under date Oct. 6, 1615, to have been put to the horn on
this date with 66 others for not finding caution for their appearance before the Justice. –
PCR, Vol. X., p. 404.
Jon MCKOLLIE. Natural daughter, baptized May 22, 1631.—IPR
Allaster MACKOLE. Witness to a baptism, June 3, 1632.—IPR
Wm. MACKOLE. Witness to baptism of William, son of Allaster Stewart, Oct. 7,
1632, and witness to a baptism on 3rd Feb., 1633.—IPR
Catherin MCCOLLIE. Mentioned March 10, 1633.—IKSR
Cathran NICOLLE. Natural son, Allaster, baptized June 23, 1633.—IPR
Wm. MCCOLLAE. Married May 28, 1636, Marjorie Mcjokie. He and Arthur
Stewart, “sonne lawful to Rot. Stewart of Newie,” act as godfathers on the same occasion
at the baptism of Arthur, son of Wm. Nicaggie in Newie.—IPR
John MCCOLLAE in Tombe. Daughter Helen baptized (Arthur Stewart aforesaid
being one of the godfathers), Dec. 18, 1636.—IPR
Agnes MCCOLLAE. Married Dec. 22, 1636, Johne Beg.—IPR
Wm. MCCOLLAE in Newie. Son, John, by spouse Mariorie McKachen, baptized
March 16, 1637.—IPR
“Johne MCCOLLAE, his soune, John, buried in the Kirk,” March 18, 1638.—IPR
 Allane MCCOLLAE in Achdregnie. Son, John, by spouse, Elspet Moir, baptized
April 1, 1638, Johne Stewart in Newie being one of the witnesses.—IPR
John MCCOLLAE in Newie. Son, Patrick, by spouse, Jonet Farquharsone,
baptized May 28, 1639, John Stewart in Deskie being one of the witnesses.—IPR
Wm. MCCOLLAE in Newie. Son, Arthur, by spouse, Mariorie Nicagie, baptized
July 28, 1639; Arthur Stewart in Downan and Mariorie Stewart in Over Downan being
two of the witnesses.—IPR
William MCCOLLAE. Daughter, Jonet, by spouse, Mariorie Nicaggie, baptized
April 4, 1641; Arthur Stewart, “forsaid,” being one of the witnesses.—IPR
Allane MCCOLLAE in Achdregnie. Daughter, Katherine, by spouse, Elspet
Nicaggie, baptized May 23, 1641, Robert Stewart in Easter Kinnachlan being one of the
witnesses.—IPR
John Dow MCCOLLAE and William Gordon of Achinarrow, in the matter of the
interment in the Kirk of Inveraven, S.N. & Q. (2nd S., IV., 62). It is curious to find him
with “Patrik MCKULLIE’S” four sons, but he probably lived not far from Achinarrow or
the Corries.
Allan MCCOLLIE in Achdregnie. Son, James, by spouse Elspet More, baptized
May 12, 1644.—IPR
Allaster MCCOLLAE and John MCCOLLAE his son in the Tristis(?) } Son’s
natural daughter, Jonet, by Jonet McKeondlay, baptized June 14, 1646.—IPR
John Roy MCCOLLAE. Withness to a baptism, June 1, 1647.—IPR
John Dow MCCOLLAE. Daughter, Mariorie, by spouse, Kath. Gordon, baptized
July 9, 1648.—IPR
Wm. MCCOLLAE. Daughter, Jonat, by spouse, Jonet Camronach, baptized Jan.
14, 1649.—IPR
John MCCOLLAE. Witness to baptisms, March 4, 1649.—IPR
Wm. MCCOLLAE. Son, Patrick, by spouse, Mariorie Mcjokie, baptized March
18, 1649.—IPR
Wm. MCCOLLAE, married July 10, 1649, Elspet Stewart.—IPR
Robert MCKOILAE. Mentioned in Records, Sept. 6, 1704.—IKSR

Pg. 192 (continued)

John MCKOILAE. Mentioned in Records, May 13, 1707.—IKSR

John MCALEA or MCOLE, in Corbach. Mentioned in Records, 1727.—IKSR
John MCALEA in Stronefork. Mentioned in Records, July 13, 1740.—IKSR
John MCOLEA in Stronafocht. Son, James, baptized June 8, 1743; another son,
John, baptized April 10, 1745.—IPR
Alex. MCLEA, Upper Dounan; Allan MCLEA, Badiglashean; James MCLEA,
Carloch; James MCLEA, Souie; John MCLEA, Clagan; Robert MCLEA, son to John
MCLEA, Coull. They are mentioned in “A List of persons concerned in the Rebellion of
1745-6” (Elgin District), Scot. Hist. Soc., 1890.
James MCOLEA. Mentioned in Records, Oct. 19, 1746.—IKSR
Robert MCOLEA in Tombay. Son, Allan, baptized March 5, 1748.—IPR
Aulay MCAULAY in Fombelly(?) Son, Donald, baptized June 29, 1749.—IPR
Alex. MCOLEA in Easter Deskie. Witness to last baptism, June 29, 1749—IPR
 James MCKLEA in Croft of Minmore and Lewis MCKALEA in Auchdregnie.
Mentioned in Records, April 23, 1750, the first named having apparently signed as
“MCKALEA.”—ECR
John MCOLEA in Deskie. Son, William, baptized April 29, 1750.—IPR
Lewis MCALLEA in Achdregnie and William MCALEA, son to said Lewis
MCALEA, are mentioned in Records, April 19, 1757.—ECR
Ludovick MCLEA in Achendregnie, Ludovick MCLEA in Achbreack, and Wm.
MCLEA, lawful son to said Ludovick MCLEA, Achendregnie, are mentioned in Records,
Nov. 5, 1757.—ECR
Alexr. Stuart, alias MCALEA, in Achnascrave in the Mallens(?) is mentioned in
Records, Dec. 19, 1757.—ECR
Lewis MCLEA in Achdregnie is mentioned in Records, Jan. 31, 1758.—ECR
Ludovick MCLAE in Achdregnie and Ludovick MCLAE in Achbreck, are
mentioned in Records, May 12, 1760, both having apparently signed as “MCOLLEA.”—
ECR
John MCLEA, son to James MCLEA in Easter Corries, is mentioned in Records,
February 10, 1765.—IKSR
Lewis MCLEA in Corries is mentioned in Records, Dec. 26, 1766.—IKSR
In one instance only would the name “MCCOLLAE” seem possibly to have been
confused in the Parish Registers with “MCKULLIE,” although probably the pronunciation
of the two names was much the same. Under date of 13th April, 1645, appears—“William
MCKULLIE in the Lagan, has lawfull sonne with Marjorie Mcjokie, bap. Alexander;
Allaster Bayne in Lecoch and William McComes forsaid, witnesses.” This William “in the
Lagan,” having regard to his wife’s name, may have been the same person as William
MCCOLLAE, whose marriage and the baptisms of whose children are noted above. On
the other hand, they may have been different individuals, whose respective wives happened
to be known by the same names. H. D. MC.W.