Contents [hide]

Allison History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Allison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Allison is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the pet-name "Alice" as in "the son of Alice." One source claims that name was in fact, Norman having derived from "Bernard de Alençon who held several lordships from Hervey de Bourges, Suffolk, belonged to the family of the Counts of Alençon, descended from Ivo or Belesme, c. 940. " 1

The phonetic resemblance of the name Alençon and the name Allison is apparent, but no other sources confirmed this ancient heritage. Of note was Alisoun (Alison) who appears in Chaucer's "Miller's Tale" c. 1386, as John's younger wife. 2

Early Origins of the Allison family

The surname Allison was first found in various counties and shires throughout Britain. Some of the earliest listing include those listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Richard filius Alice in Oxfordshire; Nicholas filius Alicie in Cambridgeshire; and Isabel filius Alice in Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls list Johannes Alysson in 1379. 3

Early History of the Allison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Allison research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1332, 1447, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1536, 1560, 1592, 1599, 1600, 1610, 1617, 1618, 1697, 1698 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Allison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Allison Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Allison have been found, including Allyson, Allison, Allisson, Allysson, Alesson and many more.

Early Notables of the Allison family

Distinguished members of the family include

Richard Allison (ca. 1560-1610), an English composer, best known for his de la Tromba, a broken consort piece. His name first occurs as a contributor to T. Este's 'Whole Booke of Psalms,' 1592. A few...
Thomas Allison (fl. 1697), was an Arctic voyager, "of whose personal history we have no record beyond what is to be gleaned from a journal of one of his voyages afterwards published. While in command...

Allison World Ranking

In the United States, the name Allison is the 495^th most popular surname with an estimated 57,201 people with that name. 4 However, in Australia, the name Allison is ranked the 702^nd most popular surname with an estimated 5,570 people with that name. 5 And in New Zealand, the name Allison is the 434^th popular surname with an estimated 1,547 people with that name. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Allison as 483^rd with 13,348 people. 7

Migration of the Allison family to Ireland

Some of the Allison family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Allison migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Allison, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

Allison Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Allison who settled in Boston in 1644

Allison Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andrew Allison, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1750 8
Andrew Allison who settled in Philadelphia in 1750 with his two brothers named James and Robert
William Allison who settled in Pennsylvania in 1764 and was one of the first to examine political strategy
Jean Allison who settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1775
Archibald Allison, who arrived in North Carolina in 1776 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Allison Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Edward Duffin Allison, who landed in New York, NY in 1816 8
John Allison approved the constitution on behalf of Pennsylvania, and Francis Allison, a great classical scholar had a conspicuous role in educating the American mind to the thought of independence
Andrew Allison, who arrived in New York in 1830 8
Elihu Allison, who arrived in Texas in 1835 8
Andrew Allison, who landed in Mississippi in 1845 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Allison migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Allison Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Captain Edward Allison U.E. born in Long Island, New York, USA, United Empire Loyalist who settled in New Brunswick c. 1783 Captain of De Lancey's 3rd Battalion 9
Mr. Joseph Allison U.E., United Empire Loyalist who settled in Adolptus Town [Adolphustown], Ontario c. 1783 9
Mr. William Allison U.E., United Empire Loyalist who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 9

Allison Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. John Allison, aged 1 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Washington" departing 9th July 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 26th August 1847 but he died on board 10

Allison migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Allison Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mrs. Isabella Allison, (b. 1804), aged 22, Irish country servant who was convicted in Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland for 7 years for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Brothers" on 3rd October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, listed as having 1 child 11
Ann Allison (alias Miller), Scottish convict from Edinburgh, who was transported aboard the "Amphitrite" on August 21, 1833, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Joseph Allison, Sr., British Convict who was convicted in Cumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 20th July 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Joseph Allison, Jr., British Convict who was convicted in Cumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 20th July 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Thomas Allison, English convict from London, who was transported aboard the "Anson" on September 23, 1843, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Allison migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Allison Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

C Allison, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Mr. Allison, Australian settler travelling from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia aboard the ship "Brilliant" arriving in New Zealand in 1841 15
James Allison, aged 30, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Margaret Allison, aged 30, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
Margaret Allison, aged 10, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Duchess of Argyle" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Allison (post 1700) +

Jerry Ivan Allison (1939-2022), American musician, best known as the drummer for The Crickets and co-writer of their hits "That'll Be the Day" and "Peggy Sue", recorded with Buddy Holly, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012
Mose John Allison Jr. (1927-2016), American jazz blues pianist, singer and songwriter
Keith Allison (1942-2021), American singer and bassist, best known for his with Paul Revere & the Raiders
Abraham Kurkindolle Allison (1810-1893), American politician, Member of Florida territorial legislature, Governor of Florida, 1865 16
Lodowick Brodie Cobb "Wick" Allison (1948-2020), American magazine publisher and author, owner of D Magazine
Winfield Scott Allison, American Republican politician, Presidential Elector for Illinois, 1908 16
William H. Allison Jr., American politician, Candidate for Presidential Elector for Kentucky, 1972 16
William N. Allison, American Republican politician, Candidate for West Virginia State House of Delegates from Hancock County, 1972 16
William Francis Allison (1892-1945), American politician, Delegate to Montana convention to ratify 21st amendment, 1933 16
William F. Allison, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Guantanamo, 1884 16
... (Another 84 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Allison family +

Halifax Explosion

Miss Jean M. Allison (1875-1917), Canadian Teacher at School for Blind from Chocolate Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 17
Mr. James B. Allison (1877-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Mr. Brenton Allison (1882-1917), Canadian resident from Three Mile Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. John Albert Curtis Allison (1922-1941), Australian Able Seaman from Granville, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 18

RMS Titanic

Master Hudson Trevor Allison, aged 11 mths, Canadian First Class passenger from Montreal, Quebec who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and survived the sinking escaping in life boat 11, the only survivor of the family 19
Miss Helen Loraine Allison (d. 1912), aged 2, Canadian First Class passenger from Montreal, Quebec who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 19
Mr. Hudson Joshua Creighton Allison (d. 1912), aged 30, Canadian First Class passenger from Montreal, Quebec who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 19
Mrs. Bessie Waldo Allison (d. 1912), (née Daniels,) aged 25, Canadian First Class passenger from Montreal, Quebec who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 19

USS Arizona

Mr. Andrew K. Allison, American Fireman First Class from Missouri, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 20
Mr. J. T. Allison, American Fireman First Class from Missouri, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 20

Citations +

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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 64)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/brothers
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Amphitrite voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1833 with 99 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/amphitrite/1833
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th February 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1837
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Anson voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1843 with 499 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/anson/1843
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, October 21) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html