Allsopp Origins in Australia

Today, there are several branches of the Allsop(p) family name in Australia, many of which trace their origins back to the convict era of the early 1800s. Historical records from New South Wales provide some notable examples:

• The first recorded birth of an Allsop(p) in NSW was Francis Alsop in 1825.
• William Alsop, a convict, arrived from England in 1790 aboard the Surprise.
• A 1960 publication, Orange 1860–1960 (Orange City Council), cites a report by Judge Wylde noting that Henry Allsopp was wounded by Aboriginal people in November 1823 while tending cattle on G.T. Palmer’s station. He died later that year.
• In 1825, Certificates of Freedom were granted to John and Henry Allsop, both of whom had arrived in NSW aboard the Shipley in 1818.
• (John) Thomas Allsopp arrived in NSW from Nottingham as a convict aboard the Lloyd in 1833.

From these early beginnings, the surname spread across the Australian continent. Research shows that the largest concentration of Allsop(p)s remains in New South Wales. Between 1788 and 1945, approximately 800 individuals with the Allsopp (or variant) surname were officially recorded at the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Variations in Spelling

It is important to recognise that multiple versions of the surname exist in Australia. Before 1900, many people could not read or write, so names were often recorded phonetically by registrars or officials. As a result, variations frequently appear even within the same family line. For accurate research, all variants should be considered.

Common variations include:

• Alsop
• Alsopp
• Allsop
• Allsopp
• Allsoppe
• Alsup
• Allsup
• Alsip

Regional Differences

Interestingly, the spelling “Alsop” is most commonly found today in Victoria and other southern states. “Allsopp” is dominant in New South Wales and Queensland, while “Allsop” is distributed relatively evenly across the country.