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Notes on Names According to the researchers, Alexander means "One who serves", "Helper of Men", or "Defender of Men". Alexander the Great was the man who made the name popular. The conquests of "Alexandros" spread the name throughout the East, and then the Church spread it through Europe. According to Kneen, Queen Mary of Scotland introduced the name in the British Isles about 1070. Raised in _____________, the Saxon-Hungarian princess married King Malcom, and named their first born Alexander. Alexander" is, of course, the English version of the name. Gaelic was the language of Celtic Britain, where the name was Alisdair or Alistair. For centuries people had only one name. But as the population grew and life got more complicated it became difficult to keep everyone straight. People were identified by physical characteristics (Erik the Red), place of birth, and their father's name: Lars, Ander's son. Thomas, Fitz Gerald. Donald Mac Alistair. And eventually at different times in different countries these "patronymicis" became surnames which were passed on to succeeding generations. O in Ireland. Surnames became popular on Man as in Ireland about 1400 AD. In Scotland, men were known by their clan affiliations, which would later become surnames, but most still used their father's name as a surname. Surnames were not widely used until the 16th or 17th centuries. It is not clear just when MacAlister actually became a surname. Black says (and X) say Mac Donald was not originally a surname. A member of the Clan was a Dumbbnal. As the biggest, most important clan it attracted a lot of "broken men", who had no clan affiliation. Members joining a clan took the name of the clan. Black says distinguished by Macdonald vs MacDonald. Mooncreiffe other authority.
As a small clan Alisters probably did not attract outsiders the way Domnall did. MacLysacht says MacAlisters came to Ireland in 14th century. Possible that MacAlister was a surname on Man before it was in Scotland or Ireland. Still likely that it is the same family. There were also members of the clan whose name became Alexander, both in Ireland, and in Scotland, but this happened later in both cases. In Ireland changed under English pressure, probably about the time names changed on Man. In Scotland Black says Alexander was Patronymic by 15th century. Galloway was right next to Butte and Aran, near Kintyre and Knapdale where MacAlisters lived. Easy for family to have expanded in this direction, be part of Galloway group who came to Man. Also Paisley seems to have been located within the area where the Clan lived. __________________________________________ Roderick, brother of Donald was a famous pirate in the Viking tradition. ______________________________________________________ MacAlisters descended from Alastiair Og: 1. Keltie says MacAlisters were descended from Alistier Og, the son of Angus Mor. 2. Eyre-Todd attributing Mans of 1450 says MacAlisters are rightful hers to Lordship of the Isles. 3. Lower also quotes Mans of 1450 and Skene. 4. Rea seems to only recognized one Alister, not too. 5. Franl Adam in the Clans,
Septs, and Regiments of the 6. Hayes McCoy writing on the Galloglaigh describes several of Alisster Og's sons as progenitors of various groups of Irish McDonald families, and never mentions MacAlister except in later years--in connection with the family of the Loup. Interesting, however, that he also refers to the manuscript of 1450 saying if's account of the story of Alister's sons differs fom the version by Hugh McDonald of Skye. _________________________________________ Balfour Paul lists the following children of Somerled in addition to those by the Manx princess: Gillicallum--Killed at Renfrew with Somerled. Heir to Argyll. He had a son also named Somerled who was defeated (killed?) by Alex II of Scotland. Olave Gall MacGillin- progenitor of the Clan Gall of the Glens Daughter, Beatrice
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