Show ContentsAllenham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Allenham first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived in the place named Allingham, which was in Kent. Allingham is a compound name, composed of the Old English elements Alling, which means holly, and ham, which means homestead. Thus, Allingham means holly homestead. 1

Early Origins of the Allenham family

The surname Allenham was first found in Kent where they were Lords of the manor of Allingham. 2

Early History of the Allenham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Allenham research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1613 is included under the topic Early Allenham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Allenham Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Allenham has appeared include Alingham, Allingham, Hallingham, Allighan and many more.

Early Notables of the Allenham family

More information is included under the topic Early Allenham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Allenham family to Ireland

Some of the Allenham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Allenham family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Allenham arrived in North America very early: Walter Alinham who settled in Barbados in 1704. In Newfoundland, James Allingham, from County Donegal, settled in St. John's in 1834; William Allingham was a fisherman of the Brandy Islands in 1869.



  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.


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