Allen Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Allen mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Allen name
Allen comes from the given name Alan, of Celtic origin and uncertain meaning. It was brought to England by the Breton knights who followed William the Conqueror in 1066, and soon became popular across the country. In Scotland the surname also grew from MacAllan, and in Ireland it absorbed some Gaelic names. Allen is common throughout the English-speaking world.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Allen name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Allen name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Allen name FAQ
What does the Allen name mean?
From the given name Alan. Common variants include Allan, Alan, Allin, Alleyne.
Where does the Allen surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Allen coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Allen crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Allen coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.