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John MacLeod

Chieftain of the island of Lewis

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About John MacLeod

John MacLeod (Scottish Gaelic: Iain MacLeòid) was chieftain of the Isle of Lewis in the 1520s and 1530s. He is mentioned in 1528.

Clan ancestry John was the son of Torquil MacLeod, the deposed chief of Clan MacLeod of Lewis, whom the king had forfeited in 1506. John's uncle Malcolm had managed to reacquire the ancestral island. Malcolm's death, and the minority of his son Rory, enabled John to seize the entire island of Lewes and its dominions.

Legacy John was the chief ally of Domhnall 'gruamach', laird of Sleat. They warred against the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan. Together they expelled the MacLeods from Trotternish and prevented them from taking possession of Sleat and North Uist.

Family John's daughter and heiress married Domhnall 'gorme' of Sleat, the son and successor of Domhnall 'gruamach'.

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Important facts

Also known as
Iain MacLeòid, Iain MacLeoid

Frequently asked questions

Who was John MacLeod?

Chieftain of the island of Lewis

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John MacLeod

· Wikidata: Q6246148

· DBpedia: John MacLeod (clan chief)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John MacLeod. https://biography.guide/john-macleod-2/

MLA: "John MacLeod." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-macleod-2/.

Chicago: "John MacLeod." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-macleod-2/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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