Alexandra History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
France
Scotland
Ireland
England

The Alexandra family history stretches back to the clans of the Dalriadan kingdom on the sea-swept Hebrides islands and mountainous western coast of Scotland. The name Alexandra is derived from the given name Alexander, which in turn was originally derived from the Greek name, which means defender of men. In the late 11th century, Queen Margaret introduced the name, which she had heard in the Hungarian Court where she was raised, into Scotland by naming one of her sons Alexander. The popularity of the name Alexander was ensured by the fact that it was born by three Scottish kings, the first being Margaret's son who succeeded to the throne of Scotland following the death of Malcolm III.

Early Origins of the Alexandra family

The surname Alexandra was first found in Kintyre, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

"As a surname Alexander is very common on the west coast, where, according to the authors of Clan Donald, some of the descendants of Godfrey, second son of Alastair Mor, appear to have settled in the Carrick district of Ayrshire. " 1

The Clan MacAllistair, Alisdair being the Gaelic for Alexander, are descended from the great King Somerled. Somerled had five sons, by his marriage to Ragnhildis, daughter of the Norwegian King of the Isles, Olaf Morsel. In the MacAllister line, Ranald had two sons, Ruari and Donald, and Donald had two sons, Angus and Alisdair. Alisdair living about 1230 to 1295 claimed the territory in South Knapdale, Kintyre, the ancient Clan seat was at Ard Phadraid (Patrick's Point) on the south side of Loch Tarbot. Alisdair (known as Alisdair Mor (the big)) is the recognized founder of the Clan. On his death, his estates were given to his brother and heir who was one of Bruce's supporters, Angus Mor.

Early History of the Alexandra family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alexandra research. Another 462 words (33 lines of text) covering the years 1120, 1200, 1204, 1220, 1230, 1245, 1295, 1431, 1475, 1570, 1588, 1602, 1605, 1614, 1615, 1619, 1620, 1640, 1643, 1652, 1653, 1655, 1660, 1664, 1665, 1667, 1681, 1686, 1743, 1765, 1797, 1846 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Alexandra History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alexandra Spelling Variations

Spelling in the medieval era was a highly imprecise process. Translation, particularly from Gaelic to English, was little better. For these reasons, early Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. In various documents Alexandra has been spelled Alexander, Alistair, MacAlexander, Alisandre, Alischoner, Alsinder, Alastair, MacAlexter, Callestar, Aleckander, Alexandri, Alisdair, Alaisder, Alestare, Alistare and many more.

Early Notables of the Alexandra family

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Sir William Alexander (circa 1570-1640), 1st Earl of Stirling, Scottish government official, knighted in 1614, appointed Governor of the barony of Nova Scotia; William Allestry (Allestrie) (1588-1655), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England (1640-1643)...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alexandra Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Alexandra family to Ireland

Some of the Alexandra family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 153 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Alexandra family

Settlers from Scotland put down roots in communities all along the east coast of North America. Some moved north from the American colonies to Canada as United Empire Loyalists during the American War of Independence. As Clan societies and highland games started in North America in the 20th century many Scots rediscovered parts of their heritage. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Alexandra were among those contributors: Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, who colonized Nova Scotia, in Antigonish, Pictou, the Carolinas, Virginia and Upper Canada. Richard H. Alexander, traveled from Ontario in a group called the ".

Contemporary Notables of the name Alexandra (post 1700) +

Louise Alexandra Delamere (b. 1969), English actress, best known for her roles as Lia in the Channel 4 comedy drama No Angels and Colette Sheward in the BBC medical drama Holby City
Mary Alexandra Earps MBE (b. 1993), an English professional footballer, in 2023 she was vice captain for England in the FIFA women's world cup and won the BBC sports personality of the year award
Ms. Alexandra Cotton M.B.E., British Mental Health Nurse for Street Triage Team for Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Mental Health 2
Ms. Johanna Alexandra Rohan B.E.M., British Chair for Canterbury Unit of Sea Cadet Corps, was appointed Medallist of the British Empire Medal 29th December 2018 for voluntary service to Young People in Kent 2
Mrs. Zoe Alexandra Boreland M.B.E., Irish former Head of Midwifery for South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Midwifery 2
Celina Alexandra Hinchcliffe (b. 1976), English television sports presenter, currently presenting for SkySports, daughter of Phillip Hinchcliffe
Megan Alexandra Washington (b. 1986), Australian ARIA Music Award winning musician and songwriter also known mononymously as Washington
Julianne Alexandra Hough (b. 1988), American Creative Arts Primetime Emmy nominated professional ballroom dancer, country music singer and actress
Skye Alexandra Sweetnam (b. 1988), Canadian singer-songwriter, actress, and music video director
Sasha Alexandra Waltz (b. 1963), German choreographer, dancer and leader of a dance company

The Alexandra Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per mare, per terras
Motto Translation: By sea, by land.

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists