Boston Public Library - Electric Scotland

OKTHOGRAPHY OF THE NAIVfE. O
land clans the
otlier. Indeed,
one
the
name is often given in the room of the
name of Alexander is frequently mentioned
as Ales, Aless, Alles, Alex, Alick, Alister, Alistaer,
and even the Scotch Elshender is the same. Hales in Germany
is the same also. Alison, therefore, signifies Alleson
or Alexson, in the same way as Allanson signifies the son of
Allan, a name vi^hich is of Norman origin, and sometimes
found in England, but not much in Scotland."
OKTHOGRAPHY OF THE NAIIE ALISON, ALLISON.
The names Alison, Allison, Alinsoa, Allinson, and of
Elison, Ellison, Elissen, Ellissen, Ellysen, are found thus
spelled in the early history of some branches of the present
Allison family. They are interchangeably mixed. The name
was often spelled Ellison, and Allison, when referring to the
same individual. Allison seems to have been more acceptable,
and the descendants of some of the early Ellisons now
write their name Allison.
In ancient records names were often spelled phonetically,
or according to their sound, and also, according to the taste,
knowledge, or lack of knowledge of the writer. It has been
found spelled Allison, Alison, Aleson, Alleson, Alason, Allason,
Allisone, besides in the manner previously given. Alison
seems to be the earlier form adopted, and the more correct
orthography.
In a letter from Rev. Archibald Alison, of Prestwick, Scotland,
dated August 11, 1892, he says, —"The spelling of
Alison differs in various families that are nearly related. We
have it Alison, Allison, Ellison, Allason, and even Allanson,
but the last among none of our relatives."
EARLY PROMINENT ALLISONS.
Robert Allison was member of Parliament from Jedburgh,
Scotland, in 1585, and his supposed father, William Allison,
was a representative in Parliament in 1542.
THE ARMS.
The armorial bearings, as given by William Allison, of
Bowmanville, Can. (for which I will not vouch), are a demigod
with a drawn sword on the crest, with the words encircled,
" Ready aye Ready."