Surname Alcorn - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering Through iGENEA: Unraveling the Historical Threads of my Surname 'Alcorn'
With each brushstroke on the canvas of human history, families leave an indelible mark. Recently, I embarked on an iGENEA DNA test to understand my imprint on this never-ending art piece. The test opened routes to my surname, Alcorn's cultural background, its historical migration, and my genetic lineage. Step by step, it unwrapped a rich tapestry of identity, long hidden beneath the surface.
F. Alcorn
read moreAlcorn: What does the surname Alcorn mean?
The surname Alcorn is of Irish origin. It originates from the Gaelic "All Corainn", meaning "hill of slaughter". This was a district located in Co. Donegal, Northern Ireland, where the family who bore this name lived. The surname was first documented in the 12th century. Over the years, it has been spelled in various ways including Alcoran, Alcorn, Alcorne, Allcorn, and others. The variations in spelling of the name occurred due to a lack of guidelines for spelling in medieval times and because the clerks who recorded such information often did so phonetically. Despite its potentially violent meaning, the name does not necessarily indicate a violent history, but rather a geographical origin. As is common with surnames of this nature, the name Alcorn was likely first given to the head of a family or clan who lived on or near the aforementioned hill.
Order DNA origin analysisAlcorn: Where does the name Alcorn come from?
The surname Alcorn is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic term "All Corrann" which means "Hill of the Crane or Heron." It is a territorial name referring to a location believed to be in Donegal, where the family held a family seat as Chiefs of their clan. The name during ancient times was O'h-Allmhurain, but was anglicized to Alcorn over time.
While the Alcorn name travelled around the world due to migration, it remained common in Ireland and can also be found in the records of other English-speaking countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Today, the name is quite prevalent in the United States, particularly in states such as Pennsylvania, California, and Texas, according to public records. It is also still reasonably common in Northern Ireland and in areas of Scotland. Recognizing these areas does not preclude the existence of the Alcorn surname in other parts of the world, simply that these locations have higher concentrations of people with the Alcorn name.
Variations of the surname Alcorn
The surname Alcorn originated from Scotland and is believed to be a locational name, referring to individuals who resided near a field of barley. The surname has several variations in spelling that have evolved over time due to regional dialects and phonetic spellings. Some of these variants include Alcorne, Allcorn, Allcorne, Allcorno, Alkorn, Alcorns, Aulcorn, Aulcorne, and Aulkorne.
There's also the possibility of variance based on marriage, adoption, or anglicization of foreign names that could potentially relate to the surname Alcorn. For example, the Germanic surname, Alkorn, might have been anglicised to Alcorn under certain circumstances. In some instances, double-barreled or hyphenated surnames incorporating Alcorn such as Alcorn-Smith or Alcorn-Jones might have also been founded.
Besides, there are related surnames that share the "Al-" portion of the nickname, such as Alcomb, Alcove, or Alcock, although these may not necessarily share the same origin as Alcorn.
Please note that tracing the origin, variations, and evolution of a surname require in-depth genealogical research and may not always be definitive.
Famous people with the name Alcorn
- Allan Alcorn: He is a pioneering computer scientist and engineer best known as one of the creators of the iconic video game "Pong" at Atari.
- Steve Alcorn: An American entrepreneur and author, he is the founder of the Alcorn McBride Inc, a company that designs and manufactures show control equipment for theme parks.
- Leelah Alcorn: She was a transgender teenager who became a symbol for transgender rights after she committed suicide and left a note discussing her experiences with conversion therapy.
- George Edward Alcorn Jr: He is an American physicist and inventor who was awarded a patent in 1984 for his method of fabricating an imaging X-ray spectrometer, a device that helps to analyze materials in fine detail.
- Ethel Alcorn: She was an American film actress in the late 1910s and early 1920s. Her most notable role was in the 1917 film "Sunshine Nan".
- Emmett Alcorn: An American lawyer and former politician who served as a member of the Oklahoma Senate from 1996 to 2004.
- Stanley Alcorn: A famous Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Brandy Alcorn: An accomplished musician and violinist. She has received multiple accolities for her performances.