They say that the best music for one`s ear is the sound of his own name. Indeed, even if a person is extremely ignorant, he knows the spelling of his name for sure. Thus, it is surprising that people do not always care about the meaning of their names, while people`s names are the part of the nation`s history – I mean nation as a folk. Scientists have found out that names (personal names of people, related to the category of onomastics - anthroponymy) fully reflect life, beliefs, aspirations, imagination and artistic creativity of the people and their historical contacts. Moreover, almost all the names of different peoples carry the vivid imprint of the corresponding era. Nowadays, we are allowed to change our names if we do not like them, but, to my mind, the name does not adorn the man, but the man the name, while a good name keeps its luster in the dark. I agree with the idea that if a person does not know the history, it will be written by others. My name is William McAllister, and I have conducted a research about its origin for my history not to be written by anyone else.
Speaking about my first name, it would be appropriate to mention that it obtains the third rank in the USA`s most popular names and the seventh in England. While in Australia, Denmark and Sweden it is the most popular one. It has become especially popular after a number of rulers have been named William. Four British kings had such names, several rulers of the Netherlands and two German emperors. Their names were spelled as “Wilhelm” – a more common German cognate of William. There is also a number of famous carriers of my name, including William Shakespeare, William Tell, William Wallace, William Faulkner and many others. I am grateful to my parents for such ability to be proud of these predecessors.
Originally, the name William has an Anglo-Saxon origin and comprises two elements: will, meaning willing or desire, and helm, which is treated as protection or helmet. Nowadays, the meaning of the name William is interpreted as a kingdom`s protector or a protector of realm. When I was a little boy, my family used to call me Willy, sometimes it was Billy. Those days I could not be associated with achievements of my famous namesakes, of course. Today, as a grown-up, I realize my willing to prove that there is nothing accidental in our lives. Somebody calls it regularity, others trust in the law of karmic load. Anyway, I feel the need to justify my belonging to this name with its powerful historical load by really worthy deeds in life.
My last name originates from the Gaelic “Mac Alasdair”, interpreted as “Son of (Mac) Alexander”. It was first introduced in Scotland. Originally, this surname derives from the Greek name Alexander, meaning defender. …