Clan Glen

Clan Glen (sometimes “Glenn”) is a small, armigerous clan first that has been documented as early as 1292.  The name “Glen” refers to a topographical feature. Distinct families appear to have arisen independently in Peebles, Renfrewshire, and England. This discussion focuses on Clan Glen in Renfrewshire, including branches of Bar, Glenlora, then in Ulster and America.

According to Thomas Allen Glenn, the lordship of Glen (consisting of Bar, Gaytflat, Lynthills, Brigend, and other lands) was originally granted by King David I to Walter the Steward. Glenn supposes that Richard, lord of the Glen, or his predecessors must have received the lordship of Glen by marriage with a woman from the Stewart family. The Glen surname stems from the lordship of the Glen, Renfrewshire.

The Glen Coat of Arms bears three martlets. According to heraldry expert William Newton, the martlet, a mythical bird, was a symbol of a knight-errant.

The limited published Y DNA data about the Glens indicates the Glens of Bar ancient origin may be Anglo Norman in nature. This is consistent with Thomas Allen Glenn’s hypothesis that the Glen family were originally called de Ness and traveled with Walter fitz Alan from Ness, Shrewsbury, England. Glenn believed they were granted the lands in the lordship of the Glen by the Stewarts. Roger de Ness witnessed a charter of Walter fitz Alan to Paisley Priory around 1173. Henry de Ness appeared in multiple charters of Alan Stewart, son of Walter fitz Alan related to the lands of Paisley. The Glens continued to possess lands rented from Paisley Abbey into the 16th century.

Many books have been written about the Glens, but few remain in print or are available in digital format.