Allen
A very common surname from the medieval personal name Alan, meaning “fair” or “bright” in its Celtic roots.
The #33 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 640 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Allen is usually a surname taken from the medieval given name Alan, which came into English through Breton and Old French use in the Middle Ages. The name is commonly linked to Celtic words meaning “bright,” “fair,” or “handsome,” especially forms like Old Irish and related Brittonic words. In short, the surname originally meant “descendant or family of Alan.”
History
The name became widespread in Britain after the Norman period, when Alan was a fashionable personal name. By the 19th century it was already extremely common, and several historical writers noted its great frequency and its many variant spellings. The related forms Alleyne and Allan have often been used alongside Allen in family records and heraldic sources.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Edward Alleyn, founder of Dulwich College, stipulated that the master and warden should bear the surname Alleyn or Allen, reflecting how common the name already was.
From the historical record
“ALLAN 1 (Celt.) Tlie Wei. Alun and Bret. ALLEN J Alan or Alain are doubtless cogn. with Gael, alainn = Ir. dluin{n, dlain{n, O.lv. alaind, 'bright,' 'fair,' ' handsome.' ALLMAN (A.-Fr.-Lat.-Teut.) a more likely etymology is given under D'Allemagne in the Appendix of Foreign Names. ALMARIC(H (Teut.) [the first…”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)Notable people named Allen
- Woody Allen (b. 1935)
- Paul Allen (1953–2018)
- Lily Allen (b. 1985)
Sourced from Wikidata; linked to their Wikipedia page.