For many generations the family of Maclellan remained one of the oldest houses in the South of Scotland, during which time they were the largest land owners in Eastern Galloway with the office of Sheriff or Steward repeatedly in their possession even until Buchanan wrote during the reign of James II, they were "among the first in Galloway both for descent and power."

The origins of the family of Maclellan although ancient are uncertain. The family may descend from Ireland or the Western Isles, but it has been further argued that they were descended from Thomas Macduallan, the natural son of Alan, Lord of Galloway.

In 1471 a charter granting possession of Loch Fergus with some lands was granted to a William Maclellan of Bombie.

His son, Thomas Maclellan was in due course awarded similar grants of land during 1490-1500. Thomas, who died in 1504, was married to Agnes (dau of Sir James Dunbar of Mochrum), by whom he had three sons. The eldest of these being, Sir William Maclellan of Bombie, in his time one of the most accomplished of his peers in Scotland, until his life was cut short when he fell at the battle of Flodden.

Sir William Maclellan's son, Thomas, was killed at Edinburgh by the Barons of Drumlanrig and Lochinvar, with whom he had a feud. It was a son of this Thomas Maclellan, also named Thomas Maclellan, who built the existing Castle of Kirkcudbright.

Thomas Maclellan, 'Lord Kirkcudbright', (d 1597) was the son of William Maclellan and Rosina Agnew. This Sir Thomas Maclellan of Bombie, Provost of Kirkcudbright (pron. Ker-kil-bri) held a position in the Royal Household from 1580 and was wed to Grissel Herries, before 1582.

In 1569 the land and buildings of Kirkcudbright convent were acquired by Sir Thomas Maclellan of Bombie, most of which he had demolished. Using the stone from the convent and stone from the ruins of the old castle of Kirkcudbright, to his credit, he had built one of the grandest houses then found in Scotland. (completed in 1582).

"The ivy-grown ruins of the old Castle of Kirkcudbright ... cannot boast of any great antiquity, having been erected in the days of Queen Mary of Scotland". (1553-1562) (Dumfries & Galloway Standard, November, 1891).

James Maclellan was a later Lord Kirkcudbright, but in 1723 the fortunes of the family were at so low an ebb that Lord Kirkcudbright made a living by keeping a small ale house under the shadow of the baronial castle of his ancestors.

His successors afterwards conceded their baronial title only by courtesy.

He died in 1730, leaving no male descendant, and the title then devolved on William Maclellan of Borness, sixth Lord Kirkcudbright.

John Lord Kirkcudbright was succeeded by his son also John Maclellan, becoing the seventh Lord Kirkcudbright, he was also an officer in the 30th regiment.

Lord John transfered to the 3rd regiment of Foot, and thereafter ascended to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, a position he maintained until his retirement from the army. He died in 1801.

John 7th Lord Kirkcudbright was succeeded by his son Sholto Henry, the eighth Lord; and upon his death in 1827, the title devolved upon his brother, Camden Grey, the ninth and last Lord Kirkcudbright.

An officer in the Coldstream Guards, he died in 1832, leaving a widow who survived him for many years dying at an advanced age, and also a daughter who aquired some recognition as a novelist, who had married to a Mr Lambert of Castle-Lambert, in Ireland.

Taking into account the extent of the Maclellan influence and estates, extending into Wigtownshire, and that the family at one time ncluded fourteen knights - Barscobe, Gelston, Borgue, Troquhain, Barholm, Kirkconnel, Kirkcormick, Colvend, Kirkgunzeon, Glenshinnoch, Ravenston, Kilcruikie, Bardrockwood, Sorbie - it is remarkable that no heir to the title of Lord Kirkcudbright should exist.

"The family possessions in Kirkcudbright have long since been alienated and the title has been dormant since the death of the 9th Lord in 1832".

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William Maclellan I of Bombie. Thomas Maclellan died in 1504

3 sons: 1) Sir William Maclellan II of Bombie died battle of Flodden

2) Robert Maclellan of Bombie (d.abt. 1640) (fourth in descent from Sir William I) 3) Gilbert Maclellan 4) Thomas son of Sir William Maclellan

//Thomas Maclellan, 2nd Lord Kirkcudbright died in 1647, was the son of William Maclellan

John, (3rd) Lord Kirkcudbright (son of above). died in 1664

Thomas Maclellan (son of Sir William Maclellan (I?)) died Edinburgh.

Thomas Maclellan (son of above): of Bombie, Provost of Kirkcudbright wed to Grissel Herries, died 1639-41.

Thomas also 2nd Lord Kirkcudbright (d 1597) (nephew of above), a son of William Maclellan.

<Supplementary list> Thomas McLellan of Glenchannoch (2nd) Lord Kirkcudbright died 1641 (died in 1647)? William Maclellan of Borness, (th) Lord Kirkcudbright, "Lord Kilconbrie" died 1765. James, fifth Lord Kirkcudbright / 7th Lord Kirkcudbright died 1721 William 7th/8th Lord Kirkcudbright Sholto Henry, eighth/ 9th Lord Kirkcudbright; died in 1827 With the death of the 9th Lord in 1832 the title became dormant.

The Maclellan Motto: 'Think on'