Show ContentsAlemen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The proud Norman name of Alemen was developed in England soon after Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was name for a person or family of German heritage. Further research showed the name was derived from the Anglo-Norman-French word aleman, which means German. [1]

Early Origins of the Alemen family

The surname Alemen was first found in Allemagne, [2] now known as Fleury-sur-Orne, near Caen in Normandy. There is no clear record of the family arriving in Britain but their voyage is of no doubt.

Some of the first records of the name include listings in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Terric le Alemaund in Buckinghamshire; Henry de Alemania in Nottinghamshire; Bertram de Almannia in Lincolnshire and Robert Almene in Cambridgeshire. [3] John le Alemaund was listed in London in 1284. [4]

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Willelmus Alman. [3]

Early History of the Alemen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alemen research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1304, 1407, 1440, 1602, 1605, 1613, 1624, 1627, 1634, 1635, 1665, 1672, 1673, 1686, 1687, 1800 and 1885 are included under the topic Early Alemen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alemen Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Alemen were recorded, including Almayne, Alman, Allman, Almand, Hallman, Allmaine, Almon, Almand, Altman, Allman, Ellman, Dalman and many more.

Early Notables of the Alemen family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Thomas Elmham (d. 1440?), English historian, Benedictine monk of St. Augustine's, Canterbury, probably a native of North Elmham in Norfolk. He was treasurer of his society in 1407, in which year he was arrested at the suit of one Henry Somerset for excessive seal in the discharge of his duties. His action seems, however, to have been subsequently affirmed. [5]Dallam (spelt also Dalham, Dallum, and Dallans), the name of a family of English organ-builders in the 17th century. The eldest was employed in 1605-6 to build an organ for King's College, Cambridge, for...
Another 418 words (30 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Alemen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Alemen family to Ireland

Some of the Alemen 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 Alemen family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Alemen arrived in North America very early: John Allman who settled in Philadelphia in 1764; Simon Alman in 1709; Stephen Almand in 1749; H. Almand in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1820.



  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


Houseofnames.com on Facebook