Allsopp Name Variants: A Genealogical Overview

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

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

Popular Forenames Among the Allsopps

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

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

Notable Allsopps in History

Several Allsopp family lines achieved prominence, including:

  • The brewing dynasty of Samuel Allsopp & Sons in Burton-upon-Trent, established in the 1740s and becoming one of Britain’s largest breweries by the 19th century.
  • Sir Henry Allsopp (1811-1887), 1st Baron Hindlip, who expanded the family brewing business.
  • Thomas Allsopp of Tipton (mid-19th century), a prominent estate agent and landowner.
  • Kirstie Allsopp – A British television presenter known for shows like Location, Location, Location and Love It or List It. She is the daughter of Charles Allsopp, 6th Baron Hindlip.
  • Charles Allsopp, 6th Baron Hindlip – Former chairman of Christie’s auction house and a member of the House of Lords
  • Arthur Allsopp, Australian test cricketer who became a pivotal figure in the development of softball in Victoria and Australia.
  • Thomas Allsop (1795–1880) – English stockbroker and author, often referred to as the “favourite disciple of Coleridge.”
  • James Allsop – As the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, he introduced the National Court Framework, which restructured the court into distinct practice areas to enhance efficiency and reduce state-based divisions.
  • Joan Winifred Allsop – A pioneer in adult education in Australia, she specialized in teaching international affairs, history, and music appreciation. She also initiated residential education courses for mothers and children.
  • Ryan Allsop – An English professional footballer who has contributed to sports through his career as a goalkeeper for various clubs.
  • Marin Alsop – A renowned American conductor, she was the first woman to lead a major American orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. She is also a strong advocate for music education.
  • William Alsup – U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of California, known for his involvement in high-profile cases, including the Oracle v. Google trial concerning Java APIs, where his familiarity with programming languages gained attention.
  • Joseph Alsop – An influential American journalist and syndicated columnist, known for his political commentary during the mid-20th century.
  • Matt Allsopp – a concept artist and visual development supervisor. Beyond his work on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, he has contributed to several major projects, including: Godzilla (2014) where he worked as a concept artist, helping to shape the visual style of the film, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong.
  • Jane Allsop – An Australian actress best known for her role as Constable Jo Parrish on the TV series Blue Heelers. She has also appeared in shows like Neighbours and Rake.

DNA and Genetic Genealogy

Modern genetic genealogy has revealed several distinct Allsopp lineages, suggesting multiple origins for the name despite the common geographical source. Y-DNA projects have identified at least three major paternal lineages among Allsopp families, indicating that not all Allsopps descend from a common ancestor despite sharing the surname.

This diversity makes collaborative research particularly valuable for those exploring Allsopp family history, as connections between branches may not be immediately apparent through traditional documentary research alone.

Visit the Alsup/Alsop DNA Surname Project supported by FamilyTreeDNA for more information.