McAllister is a surname from

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

and

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

that originates from the

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Ca ...

name Mac Alasdair, meaning son of Alasdair. Alasdair is the Gaelic form of the first name Alexander.

McAllister history

The McAllisters for the greater part owe their ancestry to the Scottish

Clan Donald Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald ( gd, Clann Dòmhnaill; Mac Dòmhnaill ), is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry i ...

. The name is derived from the personal name Alexander. The McAllisters arrived in

Ulster Ulster (; ga, Ulaidh or ''Cúige Uladh'' ; sco, label= Ulster Scots, Ulstèr or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional Irish provinces. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United King ...

Gallowglasses The Gallowglass (also spelled galloglass, gallowglas or galloglas; from ga, gallóglaigh meaning foreign warriors) were a class of elite mercenary warriors who were principally members of the Norse-Gaelic clans of Ireland between the mid 13t ...

(from Irish: Gallóglaigh meaning foreign warriors) at the invitation of the MacDonnell's. Today, the greatest numbers of the name are to be found in Counties Antrim, Down, Londonderry,

Fermanagh Historically, Fermanagh ( ga, Fir Manach), as opposed to the modern County Fermanagh, was a kingdom of Gaelic Ireland, associated geographically with present-day County Fermanagh. ''Fir Manach'' originally referred to a distinct kin group of al ...

, and

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...

, otherwise the name is widely dispersed.

Arrival in Ireland

The MacAllisters spread into the north of Ireland early on; some families of this clan were established there by the 14th century. And a considerable number followed the MacDonalds of Dunyvaig to Antrim after that clan lost its Scottish lands in the 1600s. Like the MacDonalds, The MacAllister's were seen as 'uncivilised Gaels' and were not considered appropriate candidates for the Ulster Plantations therefore, are not among the group now known as

Ulster-Scots Ulster Scots, may refer to: * Ulster Scots people The Ulster Scots ( Ulster-Scots: ''Ulstèr-Scotch''; ga, Albanaigh Ultach), also called Ulster Scots people (''Ulstèr-Scotch fowk'') or (in North America) Scotch-Irish (''Scotch-Airisch'') ...

(or Scotch-Irish).

Common spellings

The McAllister surname has many different spellings due to immigration. Some of the common spellings are *McAlister *McAllister *McCallister *McCalister *McAlaster *McAlester *McAlister *McAllaster *McAllester It is agreed upon that all bearers of the 'McAllister' surname and its derivatives share a common ancestor, which historians believe to be Somerled.

McAllister demographics

'Sample size: 1,530 (1901). It is likely that these figures have changed significantly. In recent times, the religious adherence of those bearing the McAllister last name is predominantly Catholic in Ireland.'

List of persons with the surname

Alastair McAllister Alastair McAllister (born Mildura, 3 August 1942) is an Australian harpsichord builder known for his historical integrity, design and workmanship, and for producing modern copies of instruments that closely match their prototypes in sound and tou ...

(born 1942), Australian harpsichord builder * Alex W. McAllister, American politician; mayor of Huntsville, Alabama * Anna McAllister (b. 1888), American historian of Catholic women's history *

Anne McAllister Barbara Schenck under the pseudonym Anne McAllister is an American best-selling writer of over 55 romance novels since 1985. Biography Barbara Schenck was born in California, but spent time on her grandparents' ranch in Colorado and visiting ...

, American writer of romance novels * Billy McAllister (1907–84), Australian boxer of the 1920s and '30s * The Mac Allister family of Argentine footballers: **

Carlos Mac Allister Carlos Javier "Colo" Mac Allister (born 5 March 1968) is an Argentine politician and former association football, footballer. A left-back, he played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, and Racing Club de Avellaneda, Racing Club during his care ...

(born 1968), also a politician ** Francis Mac Allister (born 1995), oldest son **

Kevin Mac Allister Kevin Mac Allister (born 7 November 1997) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Argentinos Juniors. Club career Mac Allister, like his two brothers, started his career with Argentinos Juniors. His first appearan ...

(born 1997), middle son **

Alexis Mac Allister Alexis Mac Allister (born 24 December 1998) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for club Brighton & Hove Albion and the Argentina national team. Born to a footballing family, Mac Allister started his sen ...

(born 1998), youngest son *

Colin McAllister Colin Lewis McAllister and Justin Patrick Ryan are Scottish people, Scottish interior design, interior decorators and television presenters, often billed as Colin and Justin. As well as being co-hosts, McAllister and Ryan have also been a coup ...

(born 1968), Scottish interior designer * Craig McAllister (born 1980), Scottish footballer * David McAllister (born 1971), German politician *

Deuce McAllister Dulymus Jenod "Deuce" McAllister (born December 27, 1978) is an American former football running back who played eight seasons for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Ole Miss and was dr ...

(born 1978), American football player *

Gary McAllister Gary McAllister MBE (born 25 December 1964) is a Scottish professional football coach and former player. McAllister played primarily as a midfielder in a career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell b ...

(born 1964), Scottish international footballer, manager *

Ian McAllister Sir Ian Gerald McAllister (born 17 August 1943) is a Scottish businessman. Formerly Chairman of Ford Motor Company UK, he was Chairman of Network Rail from 2002 to 2009. Biography McAllister was born in Glasgow to Ian Thomas and Margaret Mar ...

(born 1950), Irish-British-Australian professor of political science, Australian National University * Jamie McAllister (born 1978), Scottish international footballer * Jenn McAllister (born 1996), American YouTube personality *

Jim McAllister James McAllister (18 September 1943 – 9 April 2013), known as Jim McAllister, was an Irish republican activist and former politician from Ireland. Early life Jim McAllister was born on the Square in Crossmaglen in September 1943, one of seve ...

(1944–2013), Irish activist and politician * John D. T. McAllister (1827–1910), Utah Pioneer and Mormon Leader * Kevin McAllister (born 1962), Scottish footballer * Mary E. McAllister, North Carolina state Representative *

Matthew McAllister Matthew McAllister (May 4, 1758 – May 9, 1823) was an American politician who served as the first United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia (1789–1797) and Mayor of Savannah, Georgia (1798–1799 and 1814–1815). Biogr ...

(1758–1823), American lawyer and politician * Matthew Hall McAllister (1800–1865), American judge *

Nuala McAllister Nuala McAllister is a Northern Irish politician who is an Alliance Party Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). She was elected as an MLA in the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election for Belfast North. Political career Councillor (20 ...

, Northern Irish politician *

Randy McAllister Randy McAllister is an American blues and Americana drummer, harmonica player, singer and songwriter. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his 2002 album, ''Givers and Takers''. ''Living Blues'' noted that McAllister is a "first rate drumme ...

, American blues and Americana musician *

Rita McAllister Margaret 'Rita' McAllister (born 6 March 1946) is a Scottish musicologist, composer and academic. She is the Director of Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is a renowned authority on the works of Sergei Prokofiev. Biography McA ...

, Scottish musicologist * Rod McAllister (born 1961), British architect * Rory McAllister (born 1987), Scottish footballer *

Sam J. McAllister Samuel J. McAllister (1903 – November 5, 1975) was an American college basketball, baseball and football coach. Early life and education McAllister attended St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, Illinois, where he was standout athlete for the S ...

(1904–1975), American college sports coach * Samuel McAllister, American Medal of Honor recipient *

Sean McAllister Sean Brian McAllister (born 15 August 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Primarily as a central midfielder, he has good vision and passing ability. He began his professional career at Sheffield Wedne ...

(born 1987), English footballer *

(born 1965), British documentary filmmaker *

Sport McAllister Lewis William "Sport" McAllister (July 23, 1874 – July 17, 1962) was a professional baseball player. He played seven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Spiders (1896–1899), Detroit Tigers (1901–1903), and Baltimore ...

(1874–1962), American baseball player * Sue McAllister, British Director General * Tim McAllister (born 1962), American musician *

Vance McAllister Vance Michael McAllister Sr. (born January 7, 1974), is an American businessman and Republican former member of the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana's 5th congressional district. He won a special runoff election held on Nov ...

(born 1974), member of the

United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the Lower house, lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the United States Senate, Senate being ...

from

Louisiana Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is borde ...

, 2013–15 * Ward McAllister (1827–1895), American socialite * Ward McAllister Jr. (1855–1908), American lawyer and judge *

William K. McAllister William King McAllister (August 5, 1818 – October 29, 1888) was an American jurist. Born in Salem, Washington County, New York, McAllister was admitted to the New York bar. In 1858, McAllister moved to Chicago, Illinois, and practiced law. He ...

(1818–85), American jurist

List of fictional characters with the surname

*Angharad McAllister from the soap opera '' Emmerdale'' *

Jessica McAllister ''Emmerdale'' is a British soap opera first broadcast on 16 October 1972. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in 1993, by order of first appearance. All characters were introduced by either Morag Bain or Nicholas Prosser, ...

from the soap opera ''Emmerdale'' *John Peter McAllister, Korean War Veteran and ninja master, from the NBC show, ''

The Master (American TV series) ''The Master'' is an American action-adventure television series which aired on NBC, from January to August 1984. Created by Michael Sloan, the series focuses on the adventures of John Peter McAllister (Lee Van Cleef), an aging ninja master, an ...

'' *Kevin McCallister from the film series ''

Home Alone ''Home Alone'' is a 1990 American Christmas comedy film directed by Chris Columbus and written and produced by John Hughes. The first film in the ''Home Alone'' franchise, the film stars Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Hear ...

'' *C. W. McAllister, a one-time character of ''

The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, ...

'' (in the '' King of the Hill'' episode) *Sergeant Thomas McAllister from the TV series '' Strike Back'' (series 6–8) *Sheriff Thomas McAllister from the TV series '' The Mentalist'' who turned out to be the serial killer

Red John Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a secondary ...

*Darryl McAllister from the book series Young Wizards *Jack McAllister from the TV Series '' Waterloo Road (TV series)''

References

External links

Clan Mc Alister of America
{{surname