McAllister / MacAllister
Pronunciation: mə-KAL-is-tər
Meaning
son of Alistair
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
History & Etymology
McAllister is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Alasdair', meaning 'son of Alasdair'. Alasdair is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander, which itself comes from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning 'defender of mankind'. The 'Mac' prefix is a common patronymic element in Scottish and Irish surnames, indicating 'son of'.
The name has a long history in Scotland, particularly associated with various clans. Over centuries, as people migrated, the surname spread to other parts of the world, including Ireland, North America, and Australia. While primarily a surname, it has occasionally been adopted as a given name, especially in regions with strong Scottish heritage.
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