Surname Mac Allister - Meaning and Origin
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Mac Allister: What does the surname Mac Allister mean?
The surname Mac Allister is of Scottish origin and means "son of Alasdair". It traces its roots back to the Gaelic name "Mac Alasdair" where "Mac" signifies "son of" and "Alasdair" is the Gaelic form of Alexander. The name Alexander originates from the Greek name "Alexandros" which means "defender" or "helper of mankind". Therefore, Mac Allister indirectly could be understood as "Son of the defender of mankind". This name is particularly prevalent among Scottish clans, especially Clan MacAlister which is a branch of Clan Donald - one of the largest Scottish clans. The Mac Allister surname also migrated to the north of Ireland during the plantation of Ulster in the 17th century, and therefore, is found among Irish families as well.
Order DNA origin analysisMac Allister: Where does the name Mac Allister come from?
The last name Mac Allister primarily originates from Scotland. It is a patronymic name, meaning it's derived from the name of a father or ancestor. The name Mac Allister specifically means "son of Alasdair," with Alasdair being the Gaelic form of Alexander.
The name has its roots in the western Highlands of Scotland, particularly in the Hebrides Islands, where Clan MacAlister was established. The clan was originally a part of Clan Donald, one of the largest Scottish clans.
In present times, variations of the last name, such as McAllister, MacAlister, and MacAllister, can be found primarily in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and among descendants in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia due to migration and Diaspora. It is most common in regions known for Scottish emigration, particularly in the U.S. and Canada. Although the distribution of the surname has become more widespread over centuries, the largest concentration remains in the area of origin in Scotland.
Variations of the surname Mac Allister
The surname Mac Allister has significant variance in its spelling owing to its Scottish and Irish heritage. It originates from the Gaelic name "Mac Alasdair" which signifies "son of Alexander". Variations in the spelling are often due to phonetic translations when the name was written down in English, or interpretations across different regional dialects over time.
Variations include MacAlister, MacAlastair, MacAlester, McAllister, McAlister, McAlester, MacCallister, McCallister, McCollister, and Mackallister. Additionally, the "Mac" prefix also gets alternated with "Mc" depending on regional interpretations. It's also worth noting that sometimes the prefix can be dropped entirely leading to further variations such as Allister, Alister, Alester, Callister, Collister, and more.
In the modern era, the archaic version "Mac Alasdair" has also been revived and is in use especially amongst certain communities who want to retain a strong link to their historical and cultural heritage.
Famous people with the name Mac Allister
- Kevin MacAllister: He was an American soccer player and coach who previously played for Major League Soccer clubs.
- Alex MacAllister: An Argentine soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Boca Juniors in the Argentine Primera División.
- Gary MacAllister: A former Scottish international footballer and is currently a first-team coach at Liverpool FC.
- Donny MacAllister: The founder of the MacAllister Machinery Company, one of the largest Caterpillar dealers in the U.S.
- Stuart MacAllister: A global social media strategist and mentor who works with small businesses and personal brands to help them grow online.
- Asa MacAllister: An American model and actor known for his roles in Surfacing (2021), Occupants (2015) and Black Cat (2015).
- Hugh McAllister: An American architect known for breathing life in the hotel industry with his stunning architectural designs during the late 19th century.
- June MacAllister: An aspiring actor and musician from Darlington, England known for her performance in the film 'Bloody Mary'.
- Graham MacAllister: A well-known flautist and teacher who has performed with various orchestras and is known for being a flute professor at a number of universities.