Alexander History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the Alexander family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the given name Alexander, which in turn was originally derived from the Greek name, which means defender of men. In the late 11th century, Queen Margaret introduced the name, which she had heard in the Hungarian Court where she was raised, into Scotland by naming one of her sons Alexander. The popularity of the name Alexander was ensured by the fact that it was born by three Scottish kings, the first being Margaret’s son who succeeded to the throne of Scotlandfollowing the death of Malcolm III.

Early Origins of the Alexander family

The surname Alexander was first found in Kintyre, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

“As a surname Alexander is very common on the west coast, where, according to the authors of Clan Donald, some of the descendants of Godfrey, second son of Alastair Mor, appear to have settled in the Carrick district of Ayrshire. ” [1]

The Clan MacAllistair, Alisdair being the Gaelic for Alexander, are descended from the great King Somerled. Somerled had five sons, by his marriage to Ragnhildis, daughter of the Norwegian King of the Isles, Olaf Morsel. In the MacAllister line, Ranald had two sons, Ruari and Donald, and Donald had two sons, Angus and Alisdair. Alisdair living about 1230 to 1295 claimed the territory in South Knapdale, Kintyre, the ancient Clan seat was at Ard Phadraid (Patrick’s Point) on the south side of Loch Tarbot. Alisdair (known as Alisdair Mor (the big)) is the recognized founder of the Clan. On his death, his estates were given to his brother and heir who was one of Bruce’s supporters, Angus Mor.

Early History of the Alexander family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alexander research.

Alexander Spelling Variations

In various documents Alexander has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. Alexander, Alistair, MacAlexander, Alisandre, Alischoner, Alsinder, Alastair, MacAlexter, Callestar, Aleckander, Alexandri, Alisdair, Alaisder, Alestare, Alistare and many more.

Early Notables of the Alexander family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Sir William Alexander (circa 1570-1640), 1st Earl of Stirling, Scottish government official, knighted in 1614, appointed Governor of the barony of Nova Scotia; William Allestry (Allestrie) (1588-1655), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England (1640-1643).

Alexander World Ranking

In the United States, the name Alexander is the 96^th most popular surname with an estimated 211,395 people with that name. [2] However, in Canada, the name Alexander is ranked the 253^rdmost popular surname with an estimated 16,198 people with that name. [3] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Alexander is the 346^th popular surname with an estimated 135 people with that name. [4] Australia ranks Alexander as 179^th with 17,828 people. [5] New Zealand ranks Alexander as 140^th with 3,470 people. [6] The United Kingdom ranks Alexander as 234^th with 24,988 people. [7] South Africa ranks Alexander as 344^th with 19,919 people. [8]

 Migration of the Alexander family to Ireland

Some of the Alexander family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Alexander migration to the United States +

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Alexander or a variant listed above: 

Alexander Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Mr. Alexander, who landed in Virginia in 1635 [9]
• Mr. Alexander, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 [9]
• Patrick Alexander, who landed in Virginia in 1638 [9]
• John Alexander Sr., who landed in Massachusetts in 1640 [9]
• Mr. Alexander, who landed in Virginia in 1640 [9]

Alexander Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• John Alexander, who landed in Carolina in 1700 [9]
• Jos Alexander, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 [9]
• John Alexander, who landed in Virginia in 1705 [9]
• John Alexander, who arrived in Carolina in 1707 [9]
• James Alexander, who landed in Maryland in 1714 [9]

Alexander Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John Alexander, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1800 [9]
• Andrew Alexander, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1800 [9]
• William Alexander, who arrived in America in 1802 [9]
• Sarah Alexander, aged 2, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 [9]
• William Alexander, aged 32, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1803 [9]

 Alexander migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Alexander Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Peter Alexander, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
• John Alexander, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Mr. Hugh Alexander U.E., United Empire Loyalist who settled in Home District, South Central Ontario c. 1783 [10]
• Sarah Alexander U.E., United Empire Loyalist who settled in Saint David, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 a member of Cape Ann Association [10]

Alexander Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, who colonized Nova Scotia, in Antigonish, Pictou, the Carolinas, Virginia and Upper Canada
• John Alexander, aged 20, a farmer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Lady Campbell” in 1833
• Joseph Alexander, aged 17, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Billow” in 1833
• Samuel Alexander, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Sea Horse” in 1833
• Margaret Alexander, aged 29, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Salus” in 1833

 Alexander migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Alexander Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. James Alexander, British convict who was convicted in Lancashire, England for 7 years for forgery, transported aboard the “Calcutta” in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1804 the settlement was listed as abandoned and most of the convicts transported to Tasmania on the “Queen” in 1804 [11]
• Mr. William Alexander, British Convict who was convicted in Derby, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Countess of Harcourt” on 8th April 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [12]
• Mr. Abraham Alexander, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Chapman” on 6th April 1824, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [13]
• James Alexander, a blacksmith, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
• Mr. William Alexander, Scottish convict who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the “Champion” on 24th May 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]

 Alexander migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Alexander Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• William Alexander, who landed in Bay of Islands, New Zealand in 1836
• A Alexander, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway
• James Alexander, who landed in Wanganui, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway
• J Alexander, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Martha Ridgway
• Mr. J. Alexander, British settler travelling from England aboard the ship “Martha Ridgway” arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 [15]

Contemporary Notables of the name Alexander (post 1700) +

• Clifford Leopold Alexander Jr. (1933-2022), American lawyer, businessman and public servant from New York City, first African-American Secretary of the Army (1977-1981)
• Christopher Wolfgang Alexander (1936-2022), Austrian-born British-American architect and design theorist, emeritus professor at the University of California, Berkeley
• Peter Alexander (1939-2020), American artist who was part of the Light and Space artistic movement in southern California
• Brian LaWan Alexander (1975-2020), American professional basketball player who played for Salon Vilpas
• William Alexander (1726-1783), American general who claimed to be the sixth Earl of Stirling, born at New York [16]
• Max Alexander (d. 2016), born Michael Drelich, an American stand-up comedian and actor who appeared numerous times on The Tonight Show
• Hubbard Lindsay “Axe” Alexander (1939-2016), American NFL football coach who won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys
• Tyler Alexander (1941-2016), American race car engineer, co-founder of McLaren Racing Limited, a British Formula One team
• Van Alexander (1915-2015), born Alexander Van Vliet Feldman, an American bandleader, arranger and composer who lived to be 100 years old
• Claudia J. Alexander (1959-2015), Canadian-born, American research scientist specializing in geophysics and planetary science for the United States Geological Survey and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Historic Events for the Alexander family +

Related Stories +

The Alexander Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per mare, per terras
Motto Translation: By sea, by land.