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 8,104
Agricultural Labourer 1,282
Labourer 950
Domestic Servant 511
General Servant 456
Dress Maker 411
Laundress 316
Coal Miner 291
Servant 277
House Keeper 258
Carpenter 232
Annuitant 229
Farm Labourer 190
Cotton Weaver 171
Shoe Maker 160
Gardener 158
Tailor 135
Blacksmith 131
Nurse 128
Cook 126
Dressmaker 126
Lace Maker 121
Wife Of Above 121
Charwoman 118
Farm Servant 112

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

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

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