Origins: The McClanathans, MClanaghans and McClanahans traditionally number among the tribes of Niall of the Nine Hostages, King of Ireland 379-406 AD, from whom they derive their clan name Ui Neill, or 'descendants of Niall'. Not all McLanathans are of Ui Neill descent, however, as the surname is also indigenous to Scotland where it is associated with Galloway and the western Isles: several Scottish villages take their name from the family; Balmacclannoquhen in Kyle, Balmaclanoquahan in Carrick, and Macclanochanstoun in Ayrshire among them.