User blog comment:D. Cello/Assassinews 03/01 -- Assassin's Creed III era and boxart revealed/@comment-4206713-20120302031545/@comment-1625914-20120302143938

Yes, Desmond's lineage have a history with eagles, BUT the Altair name means "The Flying One" -- is the same name as the main star in the Aquila constelation.