KNELAND OR CLELAND, Alexander of that Ilk 1
- Born: About 1235
- Marriage (1): WALLACE, Margaret 1
User ID: M446.
Research Notes:
"The Ancient Family of Cleland.
'A DESCRIPTION of the Ancient Family of Cleland in the County of Lanark : - The Hare is carried in arms by
an old family with us of the name of Cleland of that Ilk in the County of Lanark; 'tis said they were hereditary
Foresters to the old Earls of Douglas, which gave rise to their Arms.' (Nisbet's Heraldry. 1722.) The principal
Arms of the Family are: - 'Azure; A Hare saliant argent, with a Hunting-Horn, Vert, hanging about its neck, garnished, gules : Crest, A Falcon standing upon a left hand Glove, proper. Motto, Non Sibi ; at other times, For Sport, supported by Two Grey-Hounds, as in the Lion's Register, and Plate of Achievments.' (Nisbet.)
' The family of Cleland is of great antiquity in Scotland.Their Coat-of-Arms, tradition states, was acquired by their being hereditary foresters to the ancient Earls of Douglas." (Document.)
' The old name of the family was Kneland, or Kneiland, now softened into Cleland. There has been a diversity of
opinion about the origin of the name of the estate, and to avoid theorizing, I will give the old name - Clelandtoun - which signifies Cleland's dwelling or residence. From this rendering it would appear that the family name was given to the estate, a custom prevalent at an early date. The Clelands were an ancient family of distinction as early as the reign of Alexander III., and their history, like that of other old families, is involved in obscurity and error; . . . . both the family and estate have been so long split and divided, that it would require long and diligent
research to give a complete history of these divisions.' (Grossart's ' History of the Parish of Shotts.' 1880.)"
from Family of Cleland 1
Alexander married Margaret WALLACE, daughter of Adam WALLACE of Riccarton and Unknown.1 (Margaret WALLACE was born about 1245.)
Marriage Notes:
"Alexander Cleland - 1st Cleland of that ilk. The first of the family of which there is record is Alexander Cleland, or Kneland, of that ilk, in the County of Lanark, who married Margaret, daughter of Adam Wallace of Riccarton, and sister of Sir Malcolm Wallace, i.e., she was Sir William Wallace's aunt. (Document and Grossart's 'History of the Parish of Shotts') This Alexander is not mentioned by Nisbet. Probably born about 1230-1240."
from Family of Cleland 1
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