Allin is a unique and distinctive given name of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Scottish surname Allan, which itself is an anglicized form of the Gaelic personal name Ailean. This name is believed to have been introduced into Scotland by settlers from Normandy after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
The original Gaelic name Ailean is composed of two elements: ail, meaning "rock," and lan, which means "little." Therefore, Allin can be interpreted as meaning "little rock" or "small stone." While it may seem unusual to have a name with such a geological connotation, it is important to note that many ancient names were inspired by nature, particularly in Scotland where the landscape has been shaped by centuries of erosion and volcanic activity.
Throughout history, the Allin surname has been quite prominent in Scotland. It was first recorded there in the 13th century, with notable bearers including Sir John Allan of Scotland, who served as a Scottish ambassador to France during the reign of King James IV (1488-1513). Additionally, members of the Clan Allan are recognized as one of the ancient clans and families of Scotland, with their ancestral seat at Delgatie Castle in Aberdeenshire.
While Allin is not particularly common as a given name today, it does have some notable historical associations. For example, there was an Allin family living in Boston, Massachusetts during the colonial period, with one member, Samuel Allin, serving as a lieutenant colonel in the American Revolution. Moreover, the surname Allan has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history, including James Allen (1893-1960), an English poet and writer who was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature three times.
In conclusion, Allin is a unique and distinctive given name of Scottish origin, meaning "little rock" or "small stone." While it may not be particularly common today, it has a rich history and several notable associations throughout Scottish and American history.
The name Allin experienced varying popularity over the decades, with several peaks and valleys in its birth counts. The highest number of babies named Allin were born in 1982, with nine occurrences. Conversely, there are years where the name was quite rare, such as 1920 and 1978, with only six births each. Interestingly, the year 1943 saw a tie for the second-lowest number of Allins born, with five babies sharing that distinction alongside other years like 1928, 1933, 1934, 1944, and 1995. Overall, 125 children were named Allin across these years.