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Clan MacAlister (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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MacAlister

Gaelic Name: MacAlasdair

Clan Crest: A dexter arm in armour erect, the hand holding a dagger in pale, all Proper

Clan Motto: Fortiter (Boldly)

Origin of Name: Son of Alexander

Clan Badge: Heath

Lands: Kintyre, Arran and Bute

Clan Chief: William McAlester of Loup and Kennox

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MacAlister Clan History

The MacAlisters were among the first to declare their independence from the main Clan Donald in the 13th century. They are thought to be descended from Alisdair Mór, the second son of Donald, Lord of the Isles, and Angus Mór's younger brother.

Ranald, son of Alexander, who lived in Kintyre in an area called Lowb, later Loup, was the Chief of the Clan MacAlister by 1366. The curving shoreline of the area was described by the Gaelic word lowb.

In 1481, Charles MacAlister was appointed Constable of the Castle of Tarbet, built by Robert the Bruce, and received additional Kintyre lands as a result of the position. When dealing with the disobedient Lords of the Isles, James IV kept naval supplies in the castle. Although Clan Alister wielded power, they were few in number and formed alliances with other clans to pool resources if the need arose. The Earl of Argyll granted the family a charter relating to the Tarbet lands, and a successful branch of the Tarbet family grew over the next two centuries.

Arran and Bute experienced similar land acquisition and fruitfulness.

In 1598, Godfrey MacAlister murdered his tutor and guardian, Charles MacAlister, and then besieged the man's sons at Askomull. Two years later, MacAlisters invaded Arran to plunder and seize everything belonging to John Montgomery of Skelmorlie, including £12.49,000 in Scots. Archibald MacAlister carried out a similar atrocity with over a thousand men on the Isle of Bute two years later.

This time, the Stewarts were the victims.

The following year, Archibald and Angus Og of the MacDonalds of Islay were charged with treason, imprisoned in Edinburgh's Tollbooth, and hanged.

By 1706 the House's Tarbet lands had passed to the MacLeans, while Duncan MacAlister arrived in Holland in 1717 from the prosperous Loup family. There, he established himself as a great officer, and his name lives on in Northern Europe.

The Clan MacAlister is divided into five branches.

The Tarbert Castle

Loup

Strathaird on the Isle of Skye

Glen Barr's

Menstrie, Alexander

MacAlister Places & People

Clan MacAlister Locations

The Tarbert Castle

Skottland, Hans Gude-Landskap Ved Tarbert Castle, 1877.

People of Clan MacAlister

The name William Alexander

William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling (c.1567 – 12 September 1640)

The Stirlingshire MacAlisters adopted the anglicised version of their surname, and William Alexander was one of Menstrie's first Alexanders. Alexander devised the scheme to sell the titles 'Baronets of Nova Scotia' as a courtier under the patronage of the Earl of Argyll.

An investor in the New World would be honoured with the title of Baronet of Nova Scotia, partly to increase the colonisation of Scotland's share of Indian territory, but mostly to make money for the crown. The pompous scheme was so successful that the King bestowed the title of Earl of Stirling upon Alexander.

Despite genealogy and common sense, he was crowned chief of the MacAlisters with even more pomp.

MacAlister Tartans

MacAlister Contemporary

MacAlister Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan MacAlister Crest

Crest Description: A dexter arm in armour erect, holding a pale dagger, all Proper

Coats of Arms of MacAlister:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.

The MacALISTER of the Loup

Or, an eagle displayed, Gules, armed, Sable, surmounted on the breast of a lymphad, the first within a bordure, the third charged with three crosses fitchée, Argent.