Loyalist

A loyalist is a person who remains faithful to a governing authority, ruler, or political cause, especially in the face of competing loyalties or opposition. The term derives from loyal, with the suffix -ist forming a person who adheres to a given principle or allegiance. In historical usage, loyalists are often identified by the specific authority to which they remained loyal.

In the context of the American Revolution, Loyalists were colonists who continued to support the British Crown. They are sometimes called Tories. After the war, many Loyalists relocated to British territories such as Canada or the Caribbean, and their settlement helped shape the development of several Canadian provinces and communities.

In Ireland and Northern Ireland, loyalists (often called unionists) are those who advocate continued political ties with Great Britain. During the Troubles, loyalist communities and organizations played prominent roles in the conflict, though the label encompasses a range of political and social positions and is not limited to violence.

In contemporary usage, loyalist can refer more broadly to anyone who remains steadfastly loyal to a particular political party, leader, or movement. The term may carry evaluative connotations, depending on context, and can be used descriptively or pejoratively.

See also terms such as Loyalist movements, unionism, and historical examples from colonial and post-colonial periods for related discussions.