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In Scotland the name is considered of dual origin, the first coming from Alwyn, a name favoured by the ancient Earls of Lennox and secondly, from the popularity of the name among the Bretons who accompanied William the Conqueror in his invasion of England in 1066. In the ensuing years many of these nobles migrated North to found great Scottish families, among whom were the Royal House of Stewart. A `symbolic’ origin, as in `Aluin'(sparkling), has also been suggested, but such would be more appropriate to the various streams and rivers which bear that name – some may have derived their name from residing near such a feature.Allansons and Allans who settled in Aberdeenshire were descended from the son of a Macfarlane chief who had migrated there when his clan was proscribed in the 16th century. Many of similar names who settled in the Lowlands are descended from Clanranald Macdonalds. As with many surnames derived from a `patronymic’ tradition, quite distinct lineages have evolved throughout the country and the possibility of ascertaining their individual origins are masked by time.