Allen Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Allen Name Meaning: Of English and Scottish Origin. The English name is often spelt Allen and the Scottish spelt Allan, these are derivations of aluinn which means handsome.

The use of the surname Allen is thought to follow the personal name Alan, the name of a Welsh and Breton Saint, which was popular with the Bretons who came to Britain and then to Ireland with the Conqueror.

Discover how your Allen ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Allen Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Allen family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 4,630
Agricultural Labourer 1,434
House Servant 745
Labourer 589
At Home 411
Dress Maker 391
Servant 336
Farm Labourer 330
Laundress 243
Carpenter 218
Shoe Maker 205
Annuitant 198
General Servant 196
Coal Miner 189
Pauper 183
Tailor 172
House Keeper 162
Lace Maker 142
Errand Boy 133
Scholar At Home 118
Farm Servant 115
Gardener 112
Nurse 104
Blacksmith 101
Frame Work Knitter 100

Allen Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Allen 100% 422,866
2 Allan 80% 38,712
3 Ellen 80% 14,608
4 Allin 80% 7,055
5 Ellin 60% 1,822
6 Allon 80% 1,655
7 Alen 80% 1,362
8 Ellan 60% 514
9 Lilian 33% 319
10 Lelean 50% 279
11 Ellon 60% 251
12 Ellion 50% 224
13 Lelen 60% 146
14 Allain 67% 139
15 Lealan 33% 139
16 Ollen 80% 114
17 Ollin 60% 109

Did you know?

The surname Allen is the most popular version of all its varients

Search for the Allen family