Alleman
A surname meaning “man from Germany,” from a French form for a German person or the German language.
The #7,690 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 71,502 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname comes from French Allemand, meaning “German,” ultimately from the Germanic ethnonym for Germany and the German people. The form Alleman is a surname spelling found in French-speaking areas, and in older naming practice it was used for someone identified as German or coming from German lands. In the cited source it is glossed simply as “of Germany.”
History
Surnames of this type often began as labels for newcomers or traders identified by origin rather than by family line. The name appears in records in several spelling forms across French- and English-speaking regions, reflecting the way ethnic surnames were adapted as people moved. In the United States, Alleman is comparatively uncommon and likely reflects immigration or French-derived family lines.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same root appears in the English word “Alemanni,” an old name for a group of Germanic peoples.
From the historical record
“ALFIERI (Jt.), Ensign, Standard-bearer, (v. Hoofdman.) ALLAN, Allen, Alleyne, or Alwyn ((£.), All-beloved. ALLEMAN, d' {£.), of Germany. ALLERTON (€•)> Alder-tree town. ALL GOOD {(^.), All good. Altrue, All true. ALLIBONE (^. N.?), All good^ The name Johannis Allibon appears in a list of the gentry of co. Derby in…”
— Surnames