A Scottish and English surname, it is a form of the names Alan, Allen and McAllen. The name means a little rock or headstone. Variations in spelling Allan include Allen, Allaine, MacAllan, Allanshaw, Allain, Alleyn, Alan and Allanach. In northern England is a high population of Allan families, centered in Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire and Lancashire. Across most of Scotland the Allan name is found. Most are in Lanarkshire, Midlothian and Angus counties. Within the United States many Allan families have lived in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, California and Ohio. Famous: David Allan (a portrait painter from Scotland), Jimmy Allan (an early 20th century footballer from Scotland), Keith Allan (a renown linguist), Jock Allan (a professional footballer from Scotland), James A. Allan (a poet from Australia), Jim Allan (a world champion in sport of curling from New Zealand) and Jimmy Allan (a professional cricketer from Scotland).