The MacAlisters of today and their numerous namesakes such as the Macalisters, MacAllisters, McAlisters, McAlesters and McAllisters can boast an illustrious heritage.
• The name stems from the thirteenth century Alasdair Mòr, a great-grandson of Somerled, the ‘summer wanderer’ or ‘summer sailor’ who carved out a vast Scottish west coast fiefdom that included the south isles from Bute to Ardnamurchan Point in addition to Kintyre, Argyll and Lorne.
• Ever eager to wield the sword in defence of their honour, in later centuries the MacAlisters have achieved fame through a diverse range of more peaceful endeavours and pursuits.