Aedan mac Gabhran (c.532–April 17, 608) was a king of the DalriadaScots. He reigned from about 574 to 606 or 608. He was the son of Gabhran, king of Dalriada, and became king after the death of his kinsman, King Conall, when he was crowned at Iona by Saint Columba. He refused to allow his kingdom to remain dependent on the Irish Dairiada, but coming into collision with his southern neighbours he led a large force against Ęthelfrith, king of the Northumbrians, and was defeated at a place called Daegsanstane, probably in Liddesdale. He was succeeded by his son, Eochaid Buide. Some consider him a possible historical basis for King Arthur.
According to the Welsh genealogies, Aedan mac Gabran was the son of Luan daughter of Brychan (Bromwich 1978:264; Bannerman 1974:77–78).
Aedan and his father are included in a version of the Strathclyde genealogy, inverted as Gafran ap Aeddan, and the death of both Gabran and Aedan are listed in the Annals Cambriae (Chadwick 1953:168).
It is unlikely that Muirgein nic Aedan of Belach Gabráin was related to the family of Aedan mac Gabran of Scottish Dalriada.
Aedan's daughter Maithgemma of Monad married Cairell of the Dal Fiatch.
Interestingly, Gafran son of Aedan is mentioned in triad 29: "the warband of Gafran son of Aeddan, who went to sea for their lord" was one of the "Three Faithful Warbands" (Bromwich 1978).
According to a poem on the birth of Brandub mac Echnach and Aedan, "Aedan was born near the Forth and [it] refers to him as the king of the Forth" (Bannerman 1974:85).
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