Is the last name Allen of Irish origin?

Allan Name Meaning and History


Scottish and northern English: variant spelling of Allen. This is the more common spelling of the name in Scotland and northern England; in Scotland it is often found as an English form of the Gaelic name McAllen (see McAllan).

Is the last name Allen of Irish origin?
According to this website, http://genealogy.about.com/library/surna...


Allen comes from the Scottish.





Definition: From "aluinn," meaning fair or handsome.





Surname Origin: Scottish





Alternate Surname Spellings: ALAN, ALLAN
Reply:yes
Reply:Good chance it is Dal Raitien (Irish Scotland). It is a sept of several clans to include Clan Reynald of MacDonald, MacDonald, MacFarland, and MacKey. All of these clans have connections with the Irish and also with the Norse. Allen is derived from the name of Macallen or Son of Allen. The odds place the name with Clan Donald or the MacDonalds. This clan held the Islands between Scotland and Ireland and a good share of Scotland and Antrium County Ireland. The name could have been found in any of the Donald holdings in these areas. It is most likely to have been found in the Clan Reynald (House of Clan Donald and with an independent Chief) holdings and is most common there. These lands are found on the mainland of Scotland. For more information concerning Clan Donald and the history and related information please go to www.clan-donald-usa.org. You will find a general history of the Clan, genealogical assistance and so forth available there.