Origins Available:
Irish
,
Scottish
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.
Early Origins of the Alistair family
The surname Alistair was first found in
Kintyre, where they held a
family seat from ancient times.
Early History of the Alistair family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alistair 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 Alistair History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Alistair Spelling Variations
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.
Early Notables of the Alistair family (pre 1700)
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alistair Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Alistair family to Ireland
Some of the Alistair 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.
Migration of the Alistair family to the New World and Oceana
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 ".
Contemporary Notables of the name Alistair (post 1700)
- Robert Alistair McAlpine (1942-2014), Baron McAlpine of West Green, best known as Alistair McAlpine, a British businessman, politician, author and advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
- Stuart Alistair Holden (b. 1985), Scottish-born American soccer player at the 2008 Summer Olympics, 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup
- Dr David Alistair Kemp (b. 1941), Australian politician, Member of the Australian Parliament for Goldstein (1990-2004)
- David Alistair Shand (b. 1956), retired Canadian NHL ice hockey defenceman
- Alistair McConnachie, Scottish Leader of the Independent Green Voice, an environmentalist political party in Scotland
- Sir Alistair Allan Horne CBE FRSL (b. 1925), British journalist, biographer and historian of Europe, Honorary Fellow of St Antony's College, Oxford, he was awarded the Wolfson Prize in 1978
- Alistair Hobday Ph.D., of the School of Zoology at the University of Tasmania
- Alistair "Ali" Coote (b. 1998), Scottish footballer who plays for Dundee United
- Alistair Macdonald "Zal" Cleminson (b. 1949), Scottish guitarist, best known for his work with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (1972-1978)
- Alistair Cooke (1908-2004), British journalist and broadcaster, best known in the United States as the host of PBS Masterpiece Theatre from 1971 to 1992
The Alistair 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.
Alistair Family Crest Products
See Also