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Last Name Mcallister

What is the origin of the last name Mcallister?

The surname McAllister is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name MacAlasdair, meaning "son of Alasdair." The name Alasdair is the Scottish Gaelic form of Alexander. The McAllister family likely had a paternal ancestor named Alasdair, and over time, the name evolved into McAllister as a hereditary surname. It is a fairly common surname among individuals of Scottish descent.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Mcallister

The ethnicity of individuals with the surname Mcallister showed interesting fluctuations between 2000 and 2010, according to data from the Decennial U.S. Census. The percentage of individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander saw a significant increase from 0.42 to 0.58, a change of 38.10 percent. The category "Two or more races" also experienced a considerable rise of 59.09 percent, while Hispanic ethnicity grew by 42.68 percent. The percentage of White individuals decreased slightly from 80.55 to 78.29 percent, a decline of 2.81 percent. Black individuals with the surname Mcallister saw a small increase, up 3.46 percent from 15.61 to 16.15 percent. Lastly, those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native also increased their representation slightly from 0.46 to 0.54, a positive change of 17.39 percent.

20002010Change
White80.55%78.29%-2.81%
Black15.61%16.15%3.46%
Hispanic1.64%2.34%42.68%
Two or More Races1.32%2.1%59.09%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.42%0.58%38.1%
American Indian and Alaskan Native0.46%0.54%17.39%

Mcallister ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Mcallister is British & Irish, which comprises 56.5% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (19.7%) and Eastern European (4.6%). Additional ancestries include Scandinavian, Italian, Nigerian, Spanish & Portuguese, and Ghanaian, Liberian & Sierra Leonean.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWNCOMPOSITION
British & Irish56.5%
French & German19.7%
Eastern European4.6%
Other19.2%

Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette

Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.

Maternal Haplo Image

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mcallister

The meaning and origin of the last name Mcallister

The surname McAllister is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name MacAlasdair, meaning "son of Alasdair." "Mac" means "son of," and "Alasdair" is the Scottish form of the name Alexander. In Scottish culture, Alexander was a common name, and the MacAlasdair clan held prominence in the Scottish Highlands. Over time, the name evolved into different spellings such as McAllister, McAlister, and MacAlister. The name McAllister signifies a familial connection to someone named Alasdair or Alexander. This surname can be traced back several centuries to the clans and Scottish feudal society where names were often passed down through generations. As families migrated, particularly during the Scottish diaspora, McAllister became a prominent surname in different parts of the world. Today, individuals with the surname McAllister can be found in various countries, particularly the United States, Canada, Australia, and Scotland, carrying their Scottish heritage and the legacy of their ancestors.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mcallister

The last name McAllister has a widespread geographical distribution, with concentrations found in several countries. In the United States, the name is particularly common, and can be found throughout the country. It is especially prevalent in states such as Texas, California, Florida, and New York. Canada is another country where the name McAllister is widely present, with concentrations in provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec. The United Kingdom also has a significant number of individuals with the surname McAllister, primarily in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In Australia, the name is found across the country, with notable concentrations in New South Wales and Victoria. Other countries with McAllister populations include Ireland, where the name has historical origins, as well as New Zealand. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name McAllister reflects the migration patterns and settlement of individuals with Scottish and Irish heritage.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mcallister

The last name "McAllister" has a few variations and spellings that have emerged over time. Common variations include "MacAllister" and "Macalister." The spelling change from "Mc" to "Mac" is often seen in Scottish surnames, where "Mac" traditionally means "son of" in Gaelic, while "Mc" is more commonly used in Irish surnames. Additionally, the last name "M'Allister" or "Mallister" is occasionally found, with the omission of the "c" and the apostrophe serving as a contraction of "Mac" or "Mc." In some cases, individuals with this surname may also adopt phonetic spellings like "Mcallistar" or "Makalista" to reflect the pronunciation accurately. These variations and spellings of "McAllister" are indicative of the diverse cultural and linguistic influences that have shaped the development of surnames over generations.

Famous people with the last name Mcallister

One of the well-known individuals with the surname McAllister is Martina McAllister. Born in 1957, she is a prominent figure in the field of fashion design. Martina gained recognition for her unique and innovative approaches to clothing design, incorporating elements from various cultures and time periods. Her collections have been showcased at numerous international fashion shows, and her designs have graced the bodies of many celebrities, earning her immense popularity in the industry. Another notable member of the McAllister family is Andrew McAllister, an accomplished actor. Andrew has worked in both film and television, showcasing his versatile talent in a wide range of roles throughout his career. With his ability to bring characters to life on screen, he has garnered critical acclaim and a substantial fan base.

Genealogical research on the last name Mcallister

The last name McAllister is primarily of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Alasdair, meaning "son of Alasdair." The name Alasdair itself is the Scottish form of the name Alexander, which originates from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning "defender of men." The McAllister surname can be traced back to the clans of Scotland, specifically within the region of Argyll. Over time, individuals bearing the name McAllister migrated to other parts of Scotland, as well as to other countries such as Ireland, England, and the United States. The name McAllister has been fairly prevalent, and variants such as Macalister, MacAlister, McCallister, and McAlister exist. Genealogical research on the McAllister surname may uncover connections to specific branches or clans within Scotland, as well as provide information on various individuals who have carried this name throughout history.

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

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