Family
- father Denis Murray McKellen: Married Gladys McKellen after his wife's death; died in a car crash when Ian was 24; he died a week after seeing McKellen in his West End debut
- mother Margery Lois McKellen: Died when Ian was 12 years old
- sister Jean McKellen: Born c. 1934
- step-mother Gladys McKellen:
Companions
- Brian Taylor: taught history at Bolton School; together from c. 1964 to c. 1972
- Nick Cuthell: born c. 1977
- Sean Mathias: together c. 1981 until c. 1990
