Alexander
Alexander Tartan Collection
Honour the "sons of Alexander" with this collection — a sept of Clan MacAlister of Kintyre, of ancient Lord of the Isles descent, who carry the bold one-word motto Fortiter.
- Featured
- Most relevant
- Best selling
- Alphabetically, A-Z
- Alphabetically, Z-A
- Price, low to high
- Price, high to low
- Date, old to new
- Date, new to old
About the Alexander Tartan
The Alexander name comes straight from the personal name Alexander — in Gaelic Alasdair — and in the Highlands it is closely tied to Clan MacAlister, whose own name means "son of Alasdair." Alexander is recognised as a sept of Clan MacAlister, the earliest branch to split from Clan Donald, and members traditionally wear the MacAlister tartan. Through the clan's Clan Donald descent, they are also entitled to wear MacDonald tartan.
This collection celebrates the Alexander name and its MacAlister kinship, bringing the MacAlister tartan into apparel, accessories, home decor and heritage gifts for those who carry the name or share its proud west-Highland roots in Kintyre and Argyll.
Alexander & MacAlister Tartan Colours
Worn through the MacAlister connection, the collection draws on the MacAlister tartan — a bright red ground crossed with green and dark blue and lined with black and white. It is a bold, warm west-Highland sett, fitting for a clan of Lord of the Isles descent.
Who Is This Collection For?
The Alexander collection is a meaningful choice for the Alexander family, members and septs of Clan MacAlister, descendants of Kintyre and Argyll, and anyone proud of a name carried by the "sons of Alexander" of the western Highlands.
- Alexander family members
- Clan MacAlister kin
- Kintyre & Argyll roots
- Clan gatherings & Highland games
- Birthday & Christmas gifts
- Everyday tartan style
Alexander & MacAlister Heritage
As a sept name, Alexander shares the story of Clan MacAlister, which traces its descent from Alasdair Mòr, a 13th-century descendant of Somerled, the great 12th-century Lord of Argyll, and so belongs to the Clann Somhairle kindred alongside the MacDonalds and MacDougalls. The clan's heartland was the Kintyre peninsula, with the chiefly line of the MacAlisters of Loup, and clansmen fought through the turbulent politics of the western Highlands and the Jacobite period, including at Killiecrankie in 1689.
The MacAlister motto, Fortiter — "Boldly" — with its crest of an armoured hand grasping a dagger, captures the martial spirit of this ancient Gaelic kindred. The Alexander name also reached the Lowlands and beyond — Archibald MacAlister of Tarbet acknowledged William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling, as chief in 1631 — and today Alexanders worldwide wear MacAlister tartan to mark their place among the sons of Alasdair.
Alexander Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Alexander name, the tartan its members wear, and why Alexander products make meaningful Scottish heritage gifts.
Does Alexander have its own tartan?
Alexander is recognised as a sept of Clan MacAlister, so members traditionally wear the MacAlister tartan. Through the clan's Clan Donald descent, MacDonald tartan may also be worn.
What clan is Alexander associated with?
Clan MacAlister of Kintyre in Argyll, the earliest branch to split from Clan Donald. The name MacAlister itself means "son of Alasdair," the Gaelic form of Alexander.
What does the motto "Fortiter" mean?
Fortiter means "Boldly" or "with courage" — a short, direct motto in the older Gaelic tradition, paired with a crest of an armoured hand holding a dagger.
Where does the Alexander name come from?
From the personal name Alexander, in Gaelic Alasdair. In the Highlands it is tied to Clan MacAlister, the "sons of Alasdair," of Lord of the Isles descent.
Who can wear the Alexander (MacAlister) tartan?
Anyone of the Alexander name, or with MacAlister or Clan Donald kinship, can wear the MacAlister tartan — as can those who appreciate the bold west-Highland sett.
Is Alexander tartan a good gift?
Yes. MacAlister-tartan Alexander products make a great gift for the Alexander family, MacAlister kin and anyone celebrating Kintyre or west-Highland heritage.
Celebrate the Alexander Name and MacAlister Kinship
Discover MacAlister tartan apparel, accessories and gifts for the Alexander family — honouring Kintyre, the Lords of the Isles and the bold motto Fortiter.
View Alexander Tartan Products