MacLea-type names in the OPRs for Argyll from Earliest Times

ftp://kitenet.net/pub/home/kyle/MacLeas_in_Argyll_from_OPR.doc

Earliest records in Argyll are for Inveraray and Glenaray, 1680.

The first 2 records (1680, 1681) are McOnlea. Next are McLeas beginning in 1725. We see more McLeas there in 1726-30, 33, 36-37, 39-40, 43, 45, and 1750.

First Livingstons appear in Argyll in 1729 in Kildalton.

Until 1745, we have only two parishes to look at: Inveraray and Kildalton.

Inveraray is ALL McLeas and Kildalton is ALL Livingston(e) up until that point.

In 1747, we see McLeas in Kilfinan parish.

In 1748, we see Livingstone in Kilmartin parish.

Inveraray shows a MacLea in 1750, Malcolm, who in 1752 with the birth of his son John has become a Livingstone. Despite his family going by McOnlea/McLea from 1680 to 1750. From then on, Inveraray is Livingstone country.

Now, in Kilfinan, where we saw McLeas beginning 1747, 1749, in 1752 they are still going by McLea. Three more MacLeas are born there in 1755.

First records for Kilbrandon and Kilchattan are 1756... all Livingston(e)s.

Ardchattan records start 1759... all Livingston(e). Same with Kilninver and Kilmelfort. Lismore Appin and Duror also.

Cambelltown starts 1762... all Livingston(e)s.

Lochgoilhead 1766... same.

Dunoon and Kilmun starts in 1754 and in 1768 with a MacLea marriage.... Next record in 1788 has Livingstones. And then there's a rogue McLea marriage in 1804 and births in 1806 and 1809! A McLae shows up there in 1855.

There is a McLea marriage in Inverchaolain in 1772 as well.

Strathlachlan starts 1772 and Bowmore or Kilarrow 1773, both with Livingston(e)s.

Inverchaolain has more McLea births in 1773 and 1774.

Glassary has a McLea marriage in 1775. Interestingly, this is between Duncan LEITCH and "More MacLea"... Given that the Leitch family is the same name was see with the other McLeas in Kilmodan, I wonder whether this might be another sibling/cousin marriage here from the same two families. This would be in keeping with the beginning of transition of the names in the Kilmodan family beginning in 1776. The next name in Glassary is a Dugald Livingstone marriage in 1776, interestingly.

Lochgoilhead which had Livingston(e)s from 1766, shows up with McLea in 1775! We have another in 1777, 1778, 1780, 1782, 1784, 1786, 1788, same family. But we have a Livingstone in 1778 in another family there too. And interestingly, there is a mysterious "Archibald Baron MacLea" who marries Mary MacDougal there in 1784 as well.

Glenorchy and Inishail begins 1776, all Livingston(e).

In Kilbrandon and Kilchattan, we've seen Livingston(e)s since 1756, however in 1777 we see a daughter born to a John McLea, and also a marriage of a Mary Livingston in the same year and parish. (Not sure if John was called Livingston originally without looking at the OPRs themselves.... there is no record of his marriage to Sarah Smith in the index.)

South Knapdale begins 1781 with Livingston(e). Same with Craignish 1782. Same with Kilmore and Kilbride in 1783. And Muckairn in 1783. And Glenorchy and Inishail in 1786. North Knapdale 1786.

Saddell and Skipness starts with a MacLea birth in 1787 to Malcolm MacLea and Barbara MacCollum.... Next record in 1803 has Livingstone, unknown if related family.

Kilcalmonell and Kilberry begins 1794 with Livingston(e). Same with Torosay and Kinlochspelvie 1795 and Colonsay in 1797 and Kilchrenan and Dalavich 1800 and Morvern 1806 and Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon 1807 and Ardnamurchan and Strontian or Sunart 1808. Also Gigha and Cara 1808 and Jura 1811 and Kilmeny (Argyll) 1811 and Kilninian and Kilmore 1811 and Muckairn 1812 and Strachur 1816. (At this point, I stopped.)

There is a McLay that shows up in Southend in 1848. And in Campbelltown in 1851 and 1856.

So, with the exception of MUCH later records, for the extant records (as of April 2007 from ScotlandsPeople) in the OPRs for ARGYLL only, we see:

Kilmodan parish has McLeas up until 1795. Lochgoilhead does too until 1788. Glassary until 1775. Inverchaolain until 1774. Kilbrandon and Kilchattan has a rogue McLea in 1777, but no others. Kilfinan has a rogue McLea in 1831… prior to that the last one was 1755. Saddell and Skipness has 1 MacLea in 1787. Only Livingstons at 1803 and after.

Other than as noted above, there are no McLea type names in the vast majority of the existing Argyll registers!

Hope this helps! Kyle=