As part of my research for my family tree (Little) I came across a family with surname, Cleen
who appeared in the Haggardsttown Parish records ca.1758-1760s.
This would be at the earliest stages of those parish records which are available online.
I am following a particular line of enquiry. The mystery is that this family had 3 or so offspring
and the name was never recorded in any national RC parish register of those digitised on IFHF since.
I can only conclude that either the family emigrated, all sadly passed away or none of the male heirs survived to marriage and subsequent child rearing ages or else the name was changed as a process of gradual assimilation.
It is the third more obscure theory I am pondering at the moment.
I've checked to see if any similar names emerged, such as Leen, McLean, etc, within the same parish and surrounding parishes but it looks like an isolated surname.
