Allison is a

surname In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

of English and Scottish origin. It was a

patronym A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather (avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. Patronymics are still in use, including mandatory use, in many countries worldwide, alt ...

, in most cases probably indicating son of

Allen Allen, Allen's or Allens may refer to: Buildings * Allen Arena, an indoor arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee * Allen Center, a skyscraper complex in downtown Houston, Texas * Allen Fieldhouse, an indoor sports arena on the Univer ...

, but in other cases possibly from Ellis,

Alexander Alexander is a male given name. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Variants listed here are Aleksandar, Al ...

, or the female given name

Alice Alice may refer to: * Alice (name), most often a feminine given name, but also used as a surname Literature * Alice (''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''), a character in books by Lewis Carroll * ''Alice'' series, children's and teen books by ...

/Alise. Alison, variant form Alizon, is a surname of French origin.

Albert Dauzat Albert Dauzat (; 4 July 1877 – 31 October 1955) was a French linguist specializing in toponymy and onomastics. Dauzat, a student of Jules Gilliéron, was a director of studies at the École des hautes études. Works * ''L'argot des poilus; ...

, ''Noms et prénoms de France'', Librairie Larousse 1980, édition revue et commentée par Marie-Thérèse Morlet. p. 6a. With the many variants of spelling through history, as well as the likelihood of phonetic spelling changes and variations through time; names such as Alison, Allason, Ellison, Allyson, Alasoune, Allinson and in some cases McAllister have been found to be interchangeable and variants of the different families using the same family name of 'Allison'.

Origins

The surname was first recorded in

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...

in 1248, when a "William Alisun" is recorded in the Documents of the Abbey of Bee in

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire (), abbreviated Bucks, is a ceremonial county in South East England that borders Greater London to the south-east, Berkshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the west, Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-e ...

. In Scotland, the earliest record dates from 1296, when "Patrick Alissone, Count of Berwick" paid homage to the ruling council of Scotland in the absence of a proclaimed king.

List of people with the surname

;Alison *

Archibald Alison (author) Archibald Alison FRS FRSE (13 November 175717 May 1839) was a Scottish episcopalian priest and essayist. Early life He was born in Edinburgh, to Patrick Alison a Edinburgh magistrate, himself a younger son of an Alison of Newhall, near Coup ...

, Scottish priest and essayist *

Sir Archibald Alison, 1st Baronet Sir Archibald Alison, 1st Baronet, (29 December 179223 May 1867) was an England-born Scottish advocate (attorney) and historian. He held several prominent legal appointments. He was the younger son of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Episcopalian ...

, historian * Sir Archibald Alison, 2nd Baronet, British Army officer * Charles Hugh Alison, British golf course architect * Charlie Alison, cricketer * Dorothy Alison, Australian actress *

Ewen Alison Ewen William Alison (29 February 1852 – 6 June 1945) was a conservative politician who sat in both the House of Representatives (1902–1908) and the Legislative Council (1918–1932) of New Zealand. Biography He was born in Auckland on ...

, New Zealand politician * Francis Alison, minister in Synod of Philadelphia * Gilbert Alison, Australian politician *

James Alison James Alison (born 4 October 1959) is an English Roman Catholic priest and theologian. Alison is noted for his application of René Girard's anthropological theory to Christian systematic theology and for his work on LGBT issues. Life and Wor ...

, Catholic priest, theologian and author *

Jane Alison Jane Alison (born 1961) is an Australian author. Early life and education Born in Canberra in 1961, Alison spent two years in Australia as a small child, growing up mainly in the United States as a child of diplomatic parents. She attended pu ...

, Australian novelist *

Joan Alison ''Everybody Comes to Rick's'' is an American play that was bought unproduced by Warner Brothers for a record figure of $20,000 (). It was adapted for film as ''Casablanca'' (1942), starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Written by Murray B ...

, writer * John R. Alison, American air force general * Michael Alison, British politician * Roberta Alison, American tennis player *

William Alison William Pulteney Alison FRSE FRCPE FSA (12 November 1790 – 22 September 1859) was a Scottish physician, social reformer and philanthropist. He was a distinguished professor of medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He served as president ...

, Scottish physician and philanthropist *

Diezani Alison-Madueke Diezani K. Alison-Madueke (born 6 December 1960) is a Nigerian politician and the first female President of OPEC. She was elected at the 166th OPEC Ordinary meeting in Vienna on 27 November 2014. She became Nigeria's minister of transportation o ...

(born 1960), Nigerian politician ;Allison * Allison family, passengers on board the ''RMS Titanic'' * Abraham K. Allison (1810–1893), American businessman and politician * Aimee Allison (born 1969), American author, public affairs television host and political activist *

Anne Allison Anne Allison is a professor of cultural anthropology at Duke University in the United States, specializing in contemporary Japanese society. She wrote the book '' Nightwork'' on hostess clubs and Japanese corporate culture after having worked at ...

, cultural anthropologist * Anthony Allison (soccer) (born 1987), Liberian-born American soccer player * Anthony Clifford Allison (1925–2014), South African medical scientist *

Art Allison Arthur Algernon Allison (January 29, 1849 – February 25, 1916) was an American Major League Baseball player from 1871 to 1876, who played his career primarily as an outfielder. Allison is known for playing in the first professional baseball game ...

(1849–1916), American Major League Baseball player *

Aundrae Allison Aundrae Akeem Allison (born June 25, 1984) is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at East Carolina. He has also been a membe ...

(born 1984), American footballer *

Ben Allison Ben Allison (born November 17, 1966) is an American double bassist, composer, producer, bandleader, educator. In addition to his work as a performer, he co-founded the non-profit Jazz Composers Collective and served as its Artistic Director for ...

(born 1966), American jazz, rock bassist/composer * Bernard Allison (born 1965), American blues musician *

Bill Allison (actor) William Allison (August 1, 1930 – April 25, 2016) was a former casino owner and actor. Allison had appeared in many cameo roles, such as ''Ocean's Eleven'' as an old guard, but his acting experience started when he was hired as a consultant for ...

, American casino owner and actor *

Bill Allison (baseball) William Andrew Allison (1850 – January 25, 1887), was an American professional baseball player. In the National Association he was a substitute infielder for the 1872 Brooklyn Eckfords He was the younger brother of Eckfords teammate Andy Allis ...

(1850–1887), American professional baseball player * Bill Allison (footballer) (1908–1981), English footballer *

Bob Allison William Robert Allison (July 11, 1934 – April 9, 1995) was an American professional baseball outfielder who played for the Washington Senators / Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball from to . Allison attended the University of Kansas for ...

(1934–1995), American baseball player *

Bobby Allison Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937) is a former American professional stock car racing driver and owner. Allison was the founder of the Alabama Gang, a group of drivers based in Hueytown, Alabama, where there were abundant short tracks ...

(born 1937), American race car driver *

Brett Allison Brett Allison (born 26 May 1968) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the North Melbourne Football Club and the Sydney Swans in the VFL/AFL. He served as the head of development at the Melbourne Football Club from 2013 to 201 ...

(born 1968), Australian rules footballer * Brian Allison (born 1988), Scottish footballer *

Brooke Allison Brooke Allison Adams (born September 26, 1986),Brooke Allison
,

(born 1986), American pop singer * C. FitzSimons Allison (born 1927), American Episcopal bishop and an author *

Charles Gary Allison Charles Gary Allison (1938 – May 13, 2008) was an American screenwriter and film producer. Early life and education Allison spent the first years of his life in London, returning to the United States in 1944. He grew up living simultaneously i ...

(1938–2008), American screenwriter and film producer *

Chris Allison Christopher John Allison (born 1961) is a British record producer and founder/head of Sonic360 Records. His work has been associated with artists such as The Beta Band, Coldplay, Walter Becker, Kinky, Plastilina Mosh, Emmanuel Jal, The Wed ...

(born 1961), British record producer * Chris Allison (police officer), British senior officer of the Metropolitan Police Service *

Clay Allison Robert A. Clay Allison (September 2, 1841 – July 1, 1887) was a cattle rancher, cattle broker, and sometimes gunfighter of the American Old West. He fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Allison had a reputation for violence, having s ...

(1840–1887), American cattle rancher and gunfighter *

Clifford Allison Clifford Allison (October 20, 1964 – August 13, 1992) was an American stock car racing driver. Son of NASCAR champion Bobby Allison, he was a member of the "Alabama Gang". He was killed in a crash during practice for a NASCAR Busch Series race ...

(1964–1992), American stock car racing driver * Dale Allison, American Christian theologian *

Darren Allison Darren Allison (born May 1968, Ashington, Northumberland, England) is an English record producer, musician, and audio engineer, best known for his production work with artists such as Spiritualized,Kempster, Chris "Studio secrets of the stars ...

(born 1968), English record producer, musician, and recording engineer *

Davey Allison David Carl Allison (February 25, 1961 – July 13, 1993) was an American NASCAR driver. He was best known for driving the No. 28 Texaco-Havoline Ford for Robert Yates Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. Born in Hollywood, Florida, he was th ...

(1961–1993), American race car driver * David Allison (disambiguation) *

Dean Allison Dean Allison (born February 18, 1965, in London, Ontario) is a Canadian politician. He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in the 2004 federal election for the riding of Niagara West—Glanbrook, now Niagara West. Allison is a member ...

(born 1965), Canadian politician *

Donnie Allison Donnie Allison (born September 7, 1939) is an American former driver on the NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup circuit, who won ten times during his racing career, which spanned from 1966 to 1988. He is part of the "Alabama Gang", and is the bro ...

(born 1939), American race car driver *

Dorothy Allison Dorothy Allison (born April 11, 1949) is an American writer from South Carolina whose writing focuses on class struggle, sexual abuse, child abuse, feminism and lesbianism. She is a self-identified lesbian femme. Allison has won a number of aw ...

(born 1949), American novelist * Dorothy Allison (psychic) (1924–1999), American self-proclaimed psychic detective * Dot Allison (born 1969), Scottish singer/songwriter *

Doug Allison Douglas L. Allison (July 12, 1846 – December 19, 1916) was an American Major League Baseball player. He began his career as a catcher for the original Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first fully professional baseball team. Allison was one of ...

(1846–1916), American professional baseball player * Doug Allison (soccer) (born 1962), English footballer and coach *

Elmer Allison Elmer T. Allison (1883 – 1982) was an American socialist political activist and newspaper editor. He is best remembered as the longtime editor of ''The Cleveland Socialist'' and ''The Toiler,'' forerunners of the official organ of the Commun ...

(1883–1982), American radical activist and newspaper publisher * Emery Allison, American politician *

Fran Allison Frances Helen Allison (November 20, 1907June 13, 1989) was an American television and radio comedienne, personality, and singer. She is best known for her starring role on the weekday NBC-TV puppet show '' Kukla, Fran and Ollie'', which ran fro ...

(1907–1989), American television and radio personality *

Fred Allison Fred C. Allison (July 4, 1882 – August 2, 1974) was an American physicist. He developed a magneto-optic spectroscopy method that became known as the Allison magneto-optic method. He claimed to have discovered two new elements (later discredite ...

(1882–1974), American physicist *

Gary Allison Gary Allison is a retired German-born American soccer player. This outstanding goalkeeper (association football), goalkeeper played professionally, for 12 years, from 1973-1984, in the NASL (North American Soccer League (1968-1984), North Americ ...

(born 1952), German-born American soccer player * Gene Allison (1934–2004), American R&B singer *

George Allison George Frederick Allison (24 October 1883 – 13 March 1957) was an English football journalist, broadcaster and manager. He was the BBC's first sports commentator and Arsenal's second longest serving manager. Journalism career Allison was ...

(1883–1957), English football journalist, broadcaster and manager * Glenn Allison (born 1930), American professional ten-pin bowler * Graham T. Allison (born 1940), American political scientist * Hank Allison (born 1947), American professional football player *

Henry Allison Henry Allison (born 14 July 1828 in Campbell Town, Tasmania), was an Australian cricket player, who played two first-class cricket matches for Tasmania. He died on 12 May 1881 in Coupeville, Washington, United States at the age of 52. See ...

(1828–1881), Australian cricket player * Herbert M. Allison (1943–2013), American financial expert, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability * Humberto Guerra Allison (born 1940), Peruvian physician and scientist * Jacob Allison (born 1998), Australian rules footballer * James Allison Jr. (1772–1854), American lawyer and politician from Pennsylvania *

James Allison (motorsport) James Allison (born 21 February 1968) is an English motorsport designer and engineer, best known for his accomplishments in Formula 1, where he is the chief technical officer of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team from July 2021. Early life Born ...

(born 1968), British aerodynamicist, Technical Director of the Lotus Formula One team * James Allison (theatre) (1831–1890), theatre manager in Australia * James A. Allison (1872–1928), American businessman and industrialist *

Jason Allison Jason Paul Allison (born May 29, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 552 games in the National Hockey League (NHL). Allison was born in North York, Ontario, but grew up in Toronto, Ontario. His most productive sea ...

(born 1975), Canadian ice hockey player *

Jay Allison Jay Allison is an American independent public radio producer and broadcast journalist. His work has been featured on radio programs such as ''This American Life'', as well as National Public Radio's ''All Things Considered'', and ''Morning Editi ...

, American radio producer and broadcast journalist * Jeff Allison (born 1984), American baseball pitcher *

Jennifer Allison Jennifer Allison is an American author of mystery novels who is best known as the author of the Gilda Joyce children's series of books. Born Jennifer Allison Brostrom, she grew up in Saline, Michigan and is a 1984 graduate from Saline High Sc ...

(born 1966), American author of mystery novels *

Jeremy Allison Jeremy Allison is a computer programmer known for his contributions to the free software community, notably to Samba, a re-implementation of SMB/CIFS networking protocol, released under the GNU General Public License. Other contributions in ...

(born 1962), computer programmer *

Jerry Allison Jerry Ivan Allison (August 31, 1939 – August 22, 2022) was an American musician, best known as the drummer for the Crickets and co-writer of their hits "That'll Be the Day" and " Peggy Sue", recorded with Buddy Holly. His only solo chart en ...

(1939–2022), American musician, drummer for The Crickets *

Jim Allison (American football) James Russell Allison (born March 2, 1943) is a former American football running back in the American Football League. He played college football at El Camino College and San Diego State University. He was drafted with the seventh pick in the 12t ...

(born 1943), American football player *

Joe Allison (American football) Joe Allison (born January 20, 1970) is an American former Gridiron football, football placekicker. He played one game in 1995 the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Memphis Mad Dogs, a short-lived expansion team. He played college football fo ...

, American football player * John Allison (disambiguation) * Joseph Allison (disambiguation) *

Kevin Allison Kevin Allison (born February 16, 1970) is an American comedian, writer, actor, and storyteller. He is perhaps best known as a writing and performing member of the comedy troupe The State, and appeared in their 1993-1995 MTV sketch comedy series '' ...

(born 1970), American comedic writer and actor * Kyle Allison (born 1990), Scottish professional footballer *

Lincoln Allison Lincoln Allison (born 5 October 1946 in Hartlepool) is an English academic and essayist. Life and career Allison grew up in Colne, Lancashire, and was educated at Royal Grammar School, Lancaster, and at University and Nuffield Colleges, Oxford ...

(born 1946), English writer *

Luther Allison Luther Allison (August 17, 1939 – August 12, 1997) was an American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was born in Widener, Arkansas, although some accounts suggest his actual place of birth was Mayflower, Arkansas. Allison was intereste ...

(1939–1997), American blues musician *

Lyn Allison Lynette Fay Allison (born 21 October 1946) is an Australian politician. She was a member of the Australian Senate from 1996 to 2008, representing the state of Victoria. she is the national president of the Australian Democrats. Early life an ...

(born 1946), Australian senator * Mack Allison (1887–1964), American professional baseball player * Malcolm Allison (1927–2010), English football manager *

Mary Bruins Allison Mary Bruins Allison (March 19, 1903 – September 15, 1994) was one of the first American women to be trained in medicine in the United States to worked as a missionary physician in Arabia. While attending medical college in Philadelphia, she le ...

(born 1903), American physician *

Mary Emma Allison Mary Emma Allison (March 5, 1917 – October 27, 2010) was an American school librarian who co-created Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF in 1950. Her three children were the initial participants in the fund raising effort, which by the time of her deat ...

(1917–2010), American school librarian and UNICEF fundraiser * Matt Allison (racing driver) (born 1983), English racing driver *

May Allison May Allison (June 14, 1890 – March 27, 1989) was an American actress whose greatest success was achieved in the early part of the 20th century in silent films, although she also appeared on stage. Life and career Allison was born in Rising ...

(1890–1989), American stage and film actress * May Allison (athlete) (born 1964), Canadian long-distance runner * Mike Allison (born 1961), Canadian ice hockey player * Monica Allison, American actress and voice actor *

Mose Allison Mose John Allison Jr. (November 11, 1927 – November 15, 2016) was an American jazz and blues pianist, singer, and songwriter. He became notable for playing a unique mix of blues and modern jazz, both singing and playing piano. After moving to N ...

(1927–2016), American jazz pianist and singer * Odis Allison (born 1949), American basketball player * Oliver Allison (1908–1989), English Anglican missionary bishop *

Olivia Allison Olivia Elizabeth N. Federici (née Allison; born 13 February 1990) is a British synchronized swimmer. She was born in Plymouth. Career Her most notable achievements to date are winning four consecutive gold medals at the British Synchronized ...

(born 1990), British synchronized swimmer *

Peter Allison Peter Allison is an Australian writer whose books have focused on his time as an African safari guide, as well as his time in South America. He currently lives in the United Kingdom with his wife Pru, and their two children. He works for Natura ...

, Australian writer and African safari guide *

Ray Allison Raymond Peter Allison (born March 4, 1959) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers and Philadelphia Flyers. Allison was born in Cranbrook, British Colum ...

(born 1959), Canadian professional ice hockey player * Rebecca Allison (born 1946), American cardiologist * Richard Allison (disambiguation) * Robert Allison (disambiguation) * Rodney Allison (born 1956), American college football coach *

Samuel King Allison Samuel King Allison (November 13, 1900 – September 15, 1965) was an American physicist, most notable for his role in the Manhattan Project, for which he was awarded the Medal for Merit. He was director of the Metallurgical Laboratory from 1943 ...

(1900–1965), American physicist * Scott Allison (born 1972), Canadian ice hockey player * Stacy Allison, American mountaineer, the first American woman to climb Mount Everest * Stephen Allison (born 1971), American politician * Stub Allison (1892–1961), American football, basketball, and baseball coach * Susan Allison, American editor-in-chief and vice president at Ace Books *

Susan Louisa Moir Allison Susan Louisa Moir Allison (August 18, 1845 – February 1, 1937) was a Canadian author and pioneer. In 2010 Allison was designated a National Historic Person by the Canadian Government. Early life and education Susan Louisa Moir was born ...

(1845–1937), Canadian author and pioneer * Tom Allison (Australian footballer) (born 1944), Australian rules footballer * Tomilea Allison (born 1934), American politician * Vera Allison (1902–1993), American Modernist jeweler, painter *

Wayne Allison Dr. Wayne Anthony Allison (born 16 October 1968) is an English former footballer and coach. In a career spanning over 20 years, he played for eight clubs and scored more than 200 goals. He played as a centre forward and was nicknamed the "Chief ...

(born 1968), English footballer and coach *

Wick Allison Lodowick Brodie Cobb "Wick" Allison (March 17, 1948September 1, 2020) was an American magazine publisher and author. He was the owner of ''D Magazine'', a monthly magazine covering Dallas–Fort Worth, which he co-founded in 1974. He was also ...

(1948–2020), American magazine publisher and author * Will Allison (born 1968), American author *

William B. Allison William Boyd Allison (March 2, 1829 – August 4, 1908) was an American politician. An early leader of the Iowa Republican Party, he represented northeastern Iowa in the United States House of Representatives before representing his state in th ...

(1829–1908), American politician * William D. Allison (1861–1923), American lawman *

William Henry Allison William Henry Allison (June 14, 1838 – December 15, 1934) was a Canadian politician and school lands commissioner. He was elected as a Conservative to the House of Commons of Canada in the 1878 election in the riding of Hants and re-elected ...

(1838–1934), Canadian politician *

Wilmer Allison Wilmer Lawson Allison Jr. (December 8, 1904 – April 20, 1977) was an American amateur tennis champion of the 1930s. Allison's career was overshadowed by the arrival of Don Budge, although he was both a fine singles player and, along with his ...

(1904–1977), American amateur tennis champion * Young E. Allison (1853–1932), American writer and newspaper editorials ;Allyson * June Allyson, American film and television actress

References

{{surname, Allison English-language surnames

Origins

List of people with the surname

See also

References