William St John Somerville McAlester of Loup and Kennox was recognised as such by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, in 1991. The Gaelic designation of the chiefs of Clan MacAlister is Mac Iain Duibh in reference to Eoin Dubh, from whom the MacAlisters of Loup claim to descend.
The Hereditary Chief of Clan MacAlister is William St. John Somerville MacAlester of Loup and Kennox, Chief of the Clan and name MacAlister.
William grew up in a British Royal Marine family. His father. Jacko McAlister. retired as the Regimental Sargent Major of the Royal Marines, the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in the Royal Marines. William grew up in Gibraltar and followed his father and joined the Royal Marines at a young age and fought in the Falklands War from April 2 1982 to June 14, 1982.
After serving 17 years in the Royal Marines. he retired from the Marines and was employed in the Yacht construction industry in the UK for several years. He left that occupation to start his own transportation business specializing in delivering aviation equipment and parts throughout the United Kingdom and the European Union.
Chief William currently resides in the family home in Christchurch, Dorset, England. He is the father of two adult children, Keele and Ranald. Ranald recently completed his service in the British Royal Navy Aviation and is now working in private industry.