Find out how popular the first name Macallister has been for the last 28 years (from 1996 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Macallister by gender

Based on the last 28 years of data, Macallister is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Macallister.

The history of the first name Macallister

The name Macallister is a Scottish variant of the surname MacAlister, which derives from the Gaelic name "Alasdair" or "Alastar," which in turn comes from the Greek name "Alexandros." The prefix "Mac" means "son of" in Gaelic, indicating a patronymic surname. The name likely emerged in the medieval era among Scottish clans.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Macallister is found in the 16th century Scottish text "The Manuscript of Fernaig," which mentions a certain "Calum Mac Alasdair" or "Calum son of Alasdair." This suggests the name was in use by at least the late Middle Ages in Scotland.

The name Macallister has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Sir Archibald Macallister, a 16th-century Scottish nobleman and military leader who fought in the Anglo-Scottish Wars. Another notable bearer was John Macallister, a 17th-century Scottish poet and writer who authored works in both Scots and English.

In the 18th century, James Macallister was a prominent Scottish physician and botanist who made significant contributions to the study of plant life in the Caribbean region. A century later, Robert Macallister was a respected Scottish architect who designed several notable buildings in Glasgow and Edinburgh in the late 19th century.

One of the most famous bearers of the name was Sir Donald Macallister, a 20th-century Scottish politician and lawyer who served as Lord Advocate of Scotland from 1935 to 1941. Born in 1888, he played a crucial role in Scottish legal affairs during the turbulent years of World War II.

These are but a few examples of the many notable individuals who have borne the name Macallister throughout history, reflecting its rich Scottish heritage and enduring legacy.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Macallister was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Macallister, please contact us.

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