Allsopp Name Variants

Origins and Meaning

The surname Allsopp (also spelled Alsop, Allsop, Alsoup, and other variants) is of English origin, specifically from the Anglo-Saxon period. It is primarily a locational surname derived from the place name Alsop in Derbyshire, which appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as “Elleshope.” The name itself likely comes from Old English elements “ælle” (meaning a personal name or possibly “eel”) and “hop” (meaning a small valley or enclosed piece of land), thus meaning “Ælle’s valley” or possibly “valley with eels.”

 

Surname Variants

Over centuries, the Allsopp surname has evolved into several variants due to regional dialects, spelling inconsistencies, and migration patterns:

  • Allsopp – The most common modern spelling
  • Alsop – A simplified version commonly found in historical records
  • Allsop – A variant without the doubled final consonant
  • Alsopp – Less common variant with a single ‘l’
  • Alsup – Common in American branches of the family
  • Alsoppe – An archaic form with the final ‘e’
  • Alsope – Less common historical variant

Over 70 variations of the surname have been discovered in records published by FreeBMD. These variations often make genealogical research challenging, as the same family might appear under different spellings in different records, particularly before standardised spelling became common, and in latter years with the advent of hyphenated surnames.

Geographical Distribution

The Allsopp family name originated in Derbyshire, England, specifically around the Peak District where the hamlet of Alsop-en-le-Dale is located. By the 16th century, the name had spread throughout the Midlands, with notable concentrations in:

  • Derbyshire (the original homeland)
  • Staffordshire (particularly around Tipton)
  • Warwickshire
  • Shropshire
  • Nottinghamshire

During the 19th century, industrial opportunities led many Allsopp families to migrate to urban centres like Birmingham, Manchester, and London. Colonial expansion and emigration also took the name to:

  • Australia (particularly New South Wales)
  • Canada
  • United States (with concentrations in the Northeast and later the Midwest)
  • New Zealand

Popular Forenames Among the Allsopps

Analysing historical records from the 17th to early 20th centuries reveals patterns in the given names commonly used by Allsopp families.

Male Forenames

  1. Thomas – Consistently popular across generations
  2. John – A staple English name found frequently in Allsopp lineages
  3. William – Common throughout all periods
  4. Henry – Particularly common in the 19th century
  5. James – Found consistently across records
  6. George – Gained popularity in the Victorian era
  7. Robert – Steady presence in family records
  8. Samuel – Common particularly in Midlands Allsopp families
  9. Richard – Traditional name found throughout the lineage
  10. Peter – More common in 20th century records

Female Forenames

  1. Elizabeth/Eliza – The most common female name in Allsopp records
  2. Mary – Widely used across all periods
  3. Sarah – Common particularly in the 18th-19th centuries
  4. Ann/Anne – Often used as both first and middle names
  5. Jane – Popular throughout Allsopp genealogies
  6. Margaret – Consistent presence in family records
  7. Ellen/Nellie – Particularly common in the Victorian period
  8. Hannah – Found frequently in 18th century records
  9. Catherine/Katherine – Various spellings appear throughout
  10. Diane – More common in 20th century records

On observing names assigned to births in both Australia and the United Kingdom, based on the registration data for each country a breakdown of the top 10 names by percentage is as shown below.