Show ContentsAlken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Alken family

The surname Alken was first found in Morayshire, where they held a family seat in their territories. The Pictish influence on Scottish history diminished after Kenneth Macalpine became King of all Scotland. But those east coast families still played an important role in government and were more accessible to Government than their western highland counterparts. The family derived their surname from the county town of Moray on the river Lossie. The first on record were Alexander and Augustine de Elgin in the year 1211.

Early History of the Alken family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Alken research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1317, 1328 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Alken History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Alken Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Elgin, Ellgin, Elgyn, Ellgyn, Elkin, Elkyn and others.

Early Notables of the Alken family

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


United States Alken migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Alken Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Martin Alken, who arrived in South Carolina in 1805
  • Michael Alken, who settled in Philadelphia in 1820
  • Jan Alken, who arrived in Iowa in 1875

Contemporary Notables of the name Alken (post 1700) +

  • Henry Alken (1816-1831), English draftsman and engraver, said to have been originally huntsman, stud-groom, or trainer to the Duke of Beaufort 1
  • Samuel Alken (1780-1796), English draughtsman and engraver 1


  1. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 17 Apr. 2019


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