1675 McG Rebels on Mull
Highland Papers v1 pp.296/303
in Publications of the Scottish Record Society
2nd series vol 5; May 1914. EPL
At this time the Campbells were using the courts to complete the
takeover of Duart's lands in Mull. The McLeans, and their followers,
were issued Letters of Caption and Ejection. This list of 455 men
may include all those who had fought for the McLeans and thus should
be a fairly accurate census of all males, including cottars and
crofters as well as the tenants. However, the relatively few men
from the same location indicates only heads of households, and maybe
only tenants, were listed. And, those McGilvrays residing on non-
Duart lands, such as Lochbuie and Iona would be excluded. The
location of many place names is unknown but some are off Mull; eg.
Kinlochaline, Morvern. (Vic basically means grand-son of.)
There were 34 McGilvrays on the list. Six on Pennyghael lands and
12 away from Kilfinichen Parish.
Don M'Ilraw Balliwilling (Balevulin?)
Angus M'Ilvorish Sheba
Ewin M'Ilvray in Scur
Dunc M'Ilvray there
Don M'Ean vic Ilvray Kilvicewn
Don grave M'Ilvray in Starfine (Serphine)
Arch M'Ilvray there
Martin M'Donald vic Ilvray Larnish (Ardalanish?)
Martin M'Onochie vic Ilvray there
Martin Neelchallin M'Ilvray in Ardchevage (s of Bunessan)
Don M'Ulvoyll in Knockulligan
John M'Ilvorrie Isle of Erraie
Neil M'Ilvray Sallochar ??
Don M'Ilchallum vic Iloray in Forwachlie ??
Malc M'Ilvorrie there
Malc M'Iloray Tormtarroch
Hector M'Iloray Pennycross
Don Gorum McIlray in Pennygaill
Neil M'Ilvail there
Don McIloray Larsaig
John McIloray there
Malc M'Iloray in Glentiddell
John Dow M'Iloray there
Neel M'Ilvray in Dissag (n of Ben More)
John Dow M'Ilvray in Knock
Ewin M'Ilvray there
Lauchlan M'Ilvray there
Neil M'Ilvray Glenranner
Arch M'Ilray in Teerfine (Tiergan?)
Don M'Ilray in Teerfine
Martin M'Donald vic Ilvray there }
Martin M'Donochie vic Ilvray there } separate ?
Malc M'Ilvray Killive ??
John McIlvorich in Kentalline (n of Salen)
An Analysis of the McG Population
In order to estimate the total McGilvray population, in 1675, the
following assumptions have been made;
-that the 34 men listed above are McGilvrays (i.e. M'Ilvorish,
M'Ulvoyll and McDonald vic Ilvray) and were separate household heads
-that they were half the McGilvrays on Duart lands (to include
crofters, cottars, etc)
-that a further 12 families lived in other areas of Mull
-that another 40 families lived in the other isles (Islay, Jura
Tyree and Colonsay) and in Ardnamurchan and Morvern
-that a further 30 families lived in Lorne (see Appendix 2)
-that the average family size was 5½ (as per 1779 census)
-that Skye has been ignored due to a lack of early records and
because no one can figure out if they should be considered with
the McGillivrays of Inverness or with the McGilvrays of Mull;
or, are completely separate.
For what it is worth, this equals 80 families and 440 McGilvrays on
Mull and a total of 150 families and 825 McGilvrays. Of course, all
of these many assumptions are open to argument and anyone else is
welcome to make their own.
The Islands' population breakdown c1785 was; (246v1p.40)
kids -8 24.1% = 106 on Mull = 199 total McGilvrays
" 8-16 15.8 70 130
m 16-60 22.6 99 187 (fencible men)
f 16-60 29.0 128 239
all 60+ 8.5 37 70
825
And, calculated from another point of view, the whole McLean clan
fielded 400 fighters in 1689. (see p.154) Assuming they left
another 400 for home protection then these 800 men would be their
total male population between 16 and 60. Thus, the 99 Mull McGilvray
fencibles would represent 12% of this force. Although this seems
high, the McGilvrays did represent 6½% of the total Ross and Brolass
population in 1779, excluding Pennyghael, Glenliddle and Carsaig.
And, by that time, there had been a definite influx of 'foreign'
names into the area, and some McGilvray departures.