History of Clan MacAlister
History of Clan MacAlister: From Celtic Princes to Independent Warriors
1. Origins: The Line of Alasdair Mór Clan MacAlister was one of the earliest branches to assert its independence from the main Clan Donald in the early 13th century. The clan claims descent from Alasdair Mór, the second son of Donald, Lord of the Isles, and great-grandson of Somerled, the King of the Isles.
Alasdair Mór was a figure of great renown. The Annals of the Four Masters (1299) described him as: "The most distinguished of his name either in Ireland or in Scotland for hospitality and feats of arms."
2. The Irish Connection & The Galloglass Warriors Alasdair’s life was defined by warfare and travel. Historical records suggest a strong connection to Antrim (Northern Ireland), leading historians to believe he spent much of his adult life as a commander of the Galloglass—elite mercenary warriors who wore chainmail and wielded heavy battle-axes in service of Irish chieftains against English invaders.
In 1299, Alasdair Mór was slain in a violent conflict against his rival, Alexander MacDougall, "along with many of his people."
3. The Lands of Kintyre & Tarbet Castle By 1366, the clan was firmly established in Kintyre at a place called Lowb (later Loup), named for the area’s curving shoreline.
The clan's prestige grew in 1481 when Charles MacAlister was appointed Constable of the Castle of Tarbet (originally built by Robert the Bruce). Along with this post came significant lands and the responsibility of maintaining naval supplies for King James IV to control the disobedient Lords of the Isles. Though not numerous in population, the MacAlisters maintained their power through strategic alliances with other clans.
4. An Era of Conflict (16th–17th Century) The clan’s history also contains chapters of violence and turbulence. In 1598, internal strife erupted when Godfrey MacAlister murdered his own tutor and guardian. In the following years, the MacAlisters launched raids on the islands of Arran and Bute, plundering the Montgomery and Stewart clans.
These acts of rebellion had severe consequences. The clan leaders were eventually accused of treason, imprisoned in Edinburgh’s Tollbooth, and hanged in the early 17th century.
5. Legacy & Dispersion By 1706, the clan's lands at Tarbet had passed to the MacLeans. However, the MacAlister line found new ways to survive and thrive. In 1717, Duncan MacAlister of the Loup family emigrated to Holland, where he became a distinguished officer, establishing a lasting branch of the family in Northern Europe.
Today, there are five main branches of Clan MacAlister, and the descendants of Alasdair Mór have carried his name to every corner of the globe.
The spirit of the Galloglass warriors lives on. Honour your ancestors and represent the MacAlister name today.