This name comes from the given name Alexander, which was in turn originally derived from the Greek name, which means defender of men. In the late 11th century, Queen Margaret introduced the name into Scotland by naming one of her sons Alexander; she had heard the name in the Hungarian Court where she was raised. From Scotland, the name came to Ireland, where MacAlasandair became the Irish form.
The surname Alisdair was first found in Kintyre, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alisdair research. Another 462 words (33 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1230, 1295, 1431, 1475, 1570, 1602, 1605, 1614, 1615, 1640, 1765, and 1846 are included under the topic Early Alisdair History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations of this family name include: Alexander, Alistair, MacAlexander, McAlexander, Alisandre, Alischoner, Alsinder, Alastair, MacAlexter, Callestar, Aleckander, Alexandri, Alisdair, Alaisder, Alestare, Alistare and many more.
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alisdair Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Alisdair family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: 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 ".