Clan MacAlister facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan MacAlister |
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| Profile | |||
| Region | Highland | ||
| District | Kintyre | ||
| Plant badge | Heath | ||
| Chief | |||
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| William St John Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox | |||
| The Chief of the Name and Arms of MacAlister (Mac Iain Duibh) | |||
| Historic seat | Kennox House | ||
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Clan MacAlister is an old and important Scottish Clan. It was one of the first groups to separate from Clan Donald. The clan believes its family line comes from Alasdair Mòr. He was the son of Domhnall, who started Clan Donald.
The name MacAlister comes from Alasdair Mòr. It is an English way of saying the Gaelic name MacAlasdair. This means "son of Alasdair." In the 1400s, the clan's leader lived in Kintyre. The clan was based there until the 1700s. At that time, a chief sold his family's land in Kintyre. He chose to live on an estate in the Scottish Lowlands instead.
Contents
History of the Clan MacAlister
The Clan's Beginnings
Clan MacAlister started as a part of Clan Donald. Clan Donald is one of the biggest and most powerful Scottish clans. The first known ancestor of Clan Donald was Domhnall. He was the son of Raghnall, who was the son of Somhairle.
Old family records from the Middle Ages say the clan came from legendary Irish figures. But modern historians do not fully trust these old records. They believe Somhairle, son of Gille Brighde, is the earliest ancestor we know for sure. Somhairle was a strong leader in the 1100s. He was called "king of the isles" and "king of Argyll." We do not know exactly how he became so powerful.
Who Founded the Clan?
Today, Clan MacAlister says it comes from Alasdair Mòr. He was the son of Domhnall, who founded Clan Donald. But there has been some confusion about who truly started the clan. This is because two important men named Alasdair lived around the same time. They were an uncle and his nephew. Both men had many sons. However, their children are not clearly linked to a specific area.
Old records do not give us much information. Also, for about 200 years, the descendants of these two Alasdairs did not form their own organized clan. This makes their early history unclear.
Alasdair Mòr is first mentioned in records in 1253. He was a witness to an important document signed by his brother, Aonghas Mór a Íle. This suggests he was an important person. Records from Ireland in 1299 describe him as a man known for being "hospitable and excellent." In that year, he was killed in a fight. This fight was against Alasdair of Argyll and the MacDougalls.
According to old family storytellers, Alasdair Mòr had at least five sons. Their names were Domhnall, Gofraidh, Donnchadh, Eoin, and Eachann. His son Domhnall took over as leader after him.
Later Generations of Alasdair Mòr's Family
Around the early 1300s, some of Alasdair Mòr's descendants settled in the area of Stirling. The first one we know about was Gilbert. He was Domhnall's son. In 1330, he received land in that region. This Gilbert is likely the same person who received land in Glorat in the parish of Campsie. Today, Gilbert de Insula is thought to be a grandson of Alasdair Mòr. He might also be an ancestor of the Alexanders of Menstrie. These Alexanders became earls of Stirling in 1633.
We know little about the children of Gofraidh, Alasdair Mòr's second son. Old records say he had a son named Somhairle, who had a son named Gilbert. Historians have not found much more information about this part of the family.
Donnchadh, Alasdair Mòr's third son, owned land in Glenorchy. Around 1343, King David II gave land to Alexander MacNaughtane. This land had belonged to Eoin, son of Donnchadh, son of Alasdair. We do not have more records about this branch of the clan.
Nothing is known about Eoin, son of Alasdair Mòr. Eachann, Alasdair Mòr's youngest son, had two sons, Charles and Lachlann. An old storyteller claimed Eachann had another son, Siothach an Dronan. This son supposedly moved to Ireland and started Clan Sheehy (MacSithigh) in Munster. This clan was known for being gallowglass, which were professional soldiers.
Leaders After Alasdair Mòr
Domhnall, Alasdair Mòr's son, promised loyalty to Edward I of England in 1291. His own son, Alasdair, took over after him. Alasdair also promised loyalty to the English king at the same time as his father.
Alasdair's son, Raghnall, became the next leader. In 1366, he went to Ulster in Ireland to fight in wars there. Historians say the next three MacAlister chiefs are not well known. They believe Raghnall was followed by Alasdair, who lived around 1400. Alasdair was then followed by Eoin Dubh. Modern chiefs get their Gaelic name Mac Iain Duibh from him. This name means "son of Black John."
The 1400s
Eoin Dubh was followed by Charles. In 1481, King James III gave a lot of land in Kintyre to John, Lord of the Isles. This land included "Lowb," or Loup. That same year, King James appointed Charles McAllister to be the Stewart of Kintyre. This was a job for life. Charles also received a large amount of land in the area. This land was in North and South Kintyre. The land of Loup was not mentioned, but historians believe it was already owned by his family.
The 1500s
Charles was followed by his son, John. The only record of John is through his son, Angus John Dowson of Loup. In 1515, Angus was among other Argyll chiefs who received protection from the Duke of Albany. These chiefs were described as close friends and servants of Colin, Earl of Argyll.
Angus John Dowson was followed by Alexander MacAlister. This chief was involved in an attack on Campbell lands in 1529. He was later declared a rebel because he could not promise good behavior in the future.
In the 1400s and 1500s, some clan members got land on the islands of Arran and Bute. These islands are near Kintyre. In 1506, Donald MacAlister received land called Longilwenach. His descendants became very numerous on these islands. The chiefs of Clan MacAlister never owned land in Buteshire. However, their clan members' connection to that area caused trouble for the chiefs.
During the rest of the 1500s, the clan sought protection. They looked to the powerful Macdonalds of Dunyveg, and also to the lords Argyll and Hamilton. After the Lordship of the Isles was lost in 1493, the clan especially stayed close to the Macdonalds of Dunyveg.
Between 1540 and 1572, the clan seemed to focus on the troubled north of Ireland. During this time, men from the Scottish islands often fought in Ulster. They fought alongside Sorley Boy MacDonnell. Historians believe Clan MacAlister gave him strong support. Around 1571–1572, a group of Highlanders was defeated by English forces. One of the killed was "Owen Mc Owen duffe Mc Alastrain, called the Lord of Loop." Historians think this man was the son of Alexander MacAlister of Loup.
The chief, John, was killed in 1572. His son, Alexander, became the new chief. The next year, Alexander received an important document from the Earl of Argyll. Around the same time, an Act of Parliament ordered him to provide hostages. This was to ensure his peaceful behavior.
In 1587, Alexander MacAlister of Loup was listed in a government document. This document made Highland chiefs responsible for their tenants. In 1590, the clan promised loyalty and service to Lord John Hamilton. Soon after, the guardian of Loup and other clan members also made a similar promise to Lord John Hamilton. Historians say Clan MacAlister was not dependent on the Hamiltons in Kintyre. However, the MacAlisters who settled in Arran and Bute lived on lands where the Hamiltons were lords. In 1591, Godfrey MacAlister of Loup received a document from the Earl of Argyll.
In 1598, a serious fight started between Godfrey MacAlister of Loup and his former guardian. Godfrey had just become an adult. We do not know why they fought. But MacAlister of Loup had his former guardian murdered. The murdered man's sons then ran to Askomull House. This was the home of Angus Macdonald of Dunyvaig in Kintyre. Historians say Macdonald of Dunyvaig was the guardian's sons' clan superior. However, MacAlister of Loup, helped by Sir James Macdonald, surrounded the house with many armed men.
The 1600s
In 1603, Campbell of Auchinbreck and Archibald MacAlister attacked the island of Bute. Archibald was the future leader of the MacAlisters of Tarbert. Their force had 1200 men. They first destroyed the property of a widow named Marion Stewart. Then they moved to the lands of Ninian Stewart, the Sheriff of Bute, and did similar damage. Because of this attack, the leaders were told to appear before the Council. But they did not show up and were declared rebels.
In 1605, the Privy Council ordered Archibald MacAlister of Loup and John MacAlister, guardian of Loup, to show proof of their land ownership. If they did not, their titles would be taken away. Historians say MacAlister of Loup was one of the few who attended. He got titles for his lands from Argyll that year.
In 1614, Alexander was supposed to help his superior, Argyll, capture Dunyveg Castle. But when he arrived, he sided with the rebel leader, Angus Og Macdonald. Because he supported the rebels, he was punished. He was found guilty of treason and was hanged.
The years between 1614 and 1623 were quiet for the clan's leading family. In 1623, Godfrey MacAlister of Tarbet signed a promise. He would not harm the family and followers of several Lowland landowners. For some time, Godfrey, who was the son of the chief of MacAlister of Tarbet, had been raiding their lands. The same year, he also had to promise not to attack other landowners and their families. Historians noted a serious fight between Godfrey MacAlister of Tarbet and Walter MacAulay of Ardincaple. Walter was the chief of Clan MacAulay. Both Tarbert and Ardincaple claimed to be deputies to the Admiral of the Western Seas. Historians thought Ardincaple had been replaced by Tarbert. In 1623, a promise was made by Hector MacNeill of Kilmichell and John Lamont of Achagyll. They promised that Godfrey MacAlister of Tarbert and four of his followers would not attack Walter MacAulay of Ardincaple and his family. Historians are not sure how this quarrel ended.
In 1631, Archibald MacAlister of Tarbet visited William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling. He recognized him as his chief. This is interesting because today, the MacAlisters of Loup are considered the clan chiefs.
In 1689, a French ship from Ireland arrived in Kintyre. MacAlister of Loup and Angus Campbell of Kilberry captured it. The two lairds guarded the ship. They wrote to Argyll, who was at a meeting, asking what to do with it. Historians believe that members of Clan MacAlister, possibly led by their chief, fought in the Battle of Killiecrankie.
From the 1700s to Today
There are few records of the clan between 1689 and 1704. However, in 1704, Alexander MacAlister of Loup and Archibald MacAlister of Tarbert were listed as Commissioners of Supply for Argyll. By 1706, the Tarbert estate was no longer owned by the MacAlisters of Tarbert. It went to a Maclean family.
Alexander MacAlister of Loup was followed by his son, Godfrey. Godfrey was then followed by his own son. During this time, the main family line of the clan left Kintyre completely. The family home, Ardpatrick House, was sold. Then Loup also passed out of the hands of the chief's family.
Charles, the 12th of Loup, married the daughter of William Somerville of Kennox in 1792. Because of this, he took the name and family symbols of Somerville along with his own. The family's main home then moved to the Scottish Lowlands at Kennox, in Ayrshire. He died in 1847. His son, Charles, took over. This Charles was followed by his son, Charles. Charles Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox died in 1903. His son, Charles Godfrey Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox, became the next chief.
Today, the chief's family has also lost ownership of their Kennox lands. The current chief of the clan is William St John Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox. He lives in England. The current chief is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Today, there is a clan center at Glenbarr Abbey.
Clan Profile
- Clan Chief: The current leader of the clan is William St John Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox. He is the Chief of the Name and Arms of MacAlister. The Lord Lyon King of Arms officially recognized him as chief in 1991. The Gaelic name for the chiefs of Clan MacAlister is Mac Iain Duibh. This refers to Eoin Dubh, from whom the MacAlisters of Loup believe they come.
- Chief's Coat of Arms: The current chief's coat of arms is described as: a gold shield with a red eagle. The eagle has black claws and a black beak. On its chest is a gold galley (an old ship). The shield has a black border with three silver cross-shaped symbols. The supporters (figures holding up the shield) are: on the right, a bear with an arrow in its back; on the left, an eagle. The main motto is fortiter, which means "boldly" in Latin. Below the shield, another motto says per mare per terras, meaning "by sea and land." The crest (top part of the badge) is an arm in armor holding a dagger.
- Clan Member's Crest Badge: The crest badge for clan members has the chief's crest and motto. The motto is fortiter. The crest is an arm in armor holding a dagger.
- Clan Badge: According to Robert Bain, the plant badge of the clan is heath.
- Tartan: There are several tartan patterns linked to the name MacAlister. Some old stories suggest that the MacAlisters wore the Macdonald tartan a long time ago. The tartan shown here is from the 1800s. The chief approved it as a clan tartan in 1845. Another approved tartan is the 'MacAlister dress' tartan. This is a modern tartan approved by the clan chief in 2005. It is also the official tartan of the MacAlister Clan Society of North America.
- Branches of the Clan: The main branch of the MacAlisters of Loup was the MacAlisters of Tarbet. Several members of this branch were, for a time, guards of Tarbert Castle on Loch Fyne. Another branch of the clan is the MacAlisters of Glenbarr. They also trace their family line back to Eoin Dubh.
McAlister Genealogy Resources
- Clan McAlister of America (CMA) is a group that looks for, saves, and shares information about McAlister family history from all over the world. Their website has information on over 350 historical McAlister family lines, covering more than 100,000 people. CMA also works with FamilyTreeDNA on a "McAlister DNA Project." This project uses DNA to find family connections.
Images for kids
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R.R. McIan's Victorian era romanticised depiction of a Macdonald, lord of the Isles.
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