A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mcallister family of Scotland.
Reg. 7980 · Scottish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Or, an eagle displ. gu. armed sa. surmounted on the breast of a galley of the first within a bordure of the third, charged with six cross crosslets fitchée ar”
ScotlandLoup, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Mcallister arms are recorded
The Mcallister arms were recorded in Loup, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Mcallister arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Mcallister Family in Scotland
The surname McAllister is a Scottish and Irish name that translates to son of Alexander. It originates from the Gaelic name Mac Alasdair, which reflects a deep connection to the historical Lordship of the Isles in Scotland. While the name has ancient roots in the western Highlands and the islands, families bearing this name eventually migrated to urban centers like Edinburgh. By 1748, records show that members of the McAllister family were well established within the city. During this period, Edinburgh was a major hub for trade and intellectual growth, and families like the McAllisters often worked as skilled tradesmen or merchants. Their presence in the city during the mid-eighteenth century suggests they were part of the growing middle class that helped shape the modern history of Scotland’s capital.
Mcallister Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Alasdair
Son of Alexander, derived from the Greek name meaning defender of men.
This name
McallisterA Scottish patronymic surname signifying descent from a person named Alexander.
also spelled
McAlister
Macalaster
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Register of Testaments. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cross symbolChristian faith and service
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
