Lochlann was the oldest son of Uchtred, Lord of Galloway and his wife Gunhilda of Dunbar, daughter of Waltheof of Allerdale.
Lochlann's father is considered to be the last living King of Galloway, which he ruled jointly with his brother, Gille Brigte, from 1161 to 1174.
At this time Gille Brigte, brutally slew his brother, Uchtred, who was a strong ally of Scotland, and attempted to transfer Galloway over to English control.
Lochlann of Galloway was likely a young adult at the time of his father's death at the hands of his uncle.
After his father's death Lochlann made it plain he considered King William of Scotland his liege.
Lochlann, son of Uchtred, married Helena, daughter of Richard de Morville, and eventually his sole heir.
Lochlann had led William's armies north into Moireabh against the pretender Domnall mac Uilleim, who claimed the Scottish throne as a grandson of King Donnchad II of Scotland.
Lochlann, unlike his uncle Gille Brigte, welcomed French and English colonisation into his eastern lands.
Of all the Lords of Galloway, Lochlann is the least mentioned in the Gaelic annals, suggesting that he had lost touch somewhat with his background in the world of greater Irish Sea Gaeldom.
Lochlann used the opportunity to make legal proceeding in Northampton regarding the property claims of his wife, Helena, daughter and heiress of Richard de Morville.