UK surname
A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "son of the brewster" or "son of the maltster".
In the 1881 census there were 23 people recorded with the Mcallester surname, ranking it #30,339 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 15, ranked #37,092, down from #30,339 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Kilfinichen and Iona and Glasgow. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Mcallester is 151 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 34.8%.
1881 census count
23
Ranked #30,339
Modern count
15
2016, ranked #37,092
Peak year
1891
151 bearers
Map years
1
1891 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Mcallester surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Mcallester surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 65 | #21,747 |
| 1861 | historical | 82 | #23,321 |
| 1881 | historical | 23 | #30,339 |
| 1891 | historical | 151 | #18,242 |
| 1901 | historical | 80 | #25,251 |
| 1911 | historical | 77 | #25,106 |
| 1997 | modern | 20 | #35,809 |
| 1998 | modern | 19 | #36,009 |
| 1999 | modern | 16 | #36,371 |
| 2000 | modern | 14 | #36,522 |
| 2001 | modern | 15 | #36,265 |
| 2002 | modern | 13 | #36,570 |
| 2003 | modern | 10 | #36,964 |
| 2004 | modern | 10 | #37,096 |
| 2005 | modern | 9 | #37,302 |
| 2006 | modern | 10 | #37,224 |
| 2007 | modern | 10 | #37,335 |
| 2008 | modern | 10 | #37,371 |
| 2009 | modern | 13 | #37,140 |
| 2010 | modern | 13 | #37,215 |
| 2011 | modern | 12 | #37,287 |
| 2012 | modern | 14 | #37,078 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 15 | #37,070 |
| 2015 | modern | 16 | #36,978 |
| 2016 | modern | 15 | #37,092 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Kilfinichen and Iona, Glasgow, Liverpool and West Derby. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 2 | Kilfinichen and Iona | Argyll |
| 3 | Glasgow | Lanark |
| 4 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| 5 | West Derby | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Mcallester surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Mcallester, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Mcallester surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Mcallester household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Mcallester is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Mcallester is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Mcallester, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname McAllester has its origins in Scotland, with notable roots in the Gaelic tradition. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Alasdair, which translates to "son of Alasdair." Alasdair is the Gaelic form of Alexander, a name of Greek origin meaning "defender of the people." The prefix "Mac" means "son of," indicating lineage in Gaelic surnames.
The name McAllester is particularly associated with the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland. The Clan MacAlister, a branch of Clan Donald (or MacDonald), traditionally inhabited regions like Kintyre and the Inner Hebrides. Historical records indicate similar spellings such as MacAllister, MacAlister, and MacCallister, reflecting variations in pronunciation and transcription over time.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name is from the early 14th century. A notable historical reference is Alasdair MacAlasdair, the chief of Clan MacAlister, who swore fealty to King Edward I of England in 1296. This act of submission, recorded in the Ragman Rolls, was a significant document noting the fealty of various Scottish nobility and landowners.
In the 16th century, Sir Duncan McAlester was a prominent figure, serving as the captain of the Castle of Dunaverty in Kintyre. He played a key role during the tumultuous times of the Scottish Reformation and Clan conflicts. Another significant individual is Archibald McAllester, who is documented in the 17th-century Scottish Covenanters' struggles against the Royalist forces.
Moving into the 18th century, John McAllester made a name for himself as a merchant and shipowner in Glasgow, contributing to the city's rise as a center of trade and commerce. His records are found in various trade documents and city council minutes.
In more recent history, Hector McAllester, born in 1861 and died in 1947, was a prominent Scottish scholar and professor of Celtic studies. His academic work greatly contributed to the preservation and study of Gaelic language and culture, earning recognition in literary and academic circles.
Fiona McAllester, born in 1923 and died in 2004, was a noted Scottish landscape painter whose works captured the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands and islands. Her art remains celebrated in Scottish galleries and private collections.
Throughout history, the surname McAllester reflects a rich Gaelic heritage intertwined with the broader narrative of Scottish history. The evolution of the name mirrors the cultural and political shifts over centuries, leaving a legacy visible in historical documents, clan records, and personal achievements of those bearing the name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
FAQ
In 1881, 23 people were recorded with the Mcallester surname. That placed it at #30,339 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 15 in 2016. That gives Mcallester a modern rank of #37,092.
A Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "son of the brewster" or "son of the maltster".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Mcallester bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.