Possible Origin of the Allman Surname
The Allman family surname with it's various spellings (Alemann, Aleman, Alman, Allaman, Allemann, Alleman, Almon, Allmon, Almond, Almand, etc.) possibly derived it's origin from the Alemanni (the e is silent) tribe which first appeared in historical records in Germany around 211 AD when Emperor Caracalla ruled Rome. The Alemanni territory lay West of the Rhine as far as the Vosges mountains. The Alemanni were a warlike tribe who threatened the security of Rome for nearly 300 years. The wall around the City of Rome was built as a defense against their incursions. Their nation was finally overthrown by Clovis the Frank at Tolbiac in 496. He attributed his victory to his christian wife's God, which caused him to convert to christianity. The Alemanni as a people ceased to exist, but individuals carrying the Alleman name continued to appear in the pages of history.
Some of the more notable ones are: Alemann son of Sigfred Count of Alsace in 764 AD, Louis Aleman Cardinal of Aries and President of the Council of Basel, Anthony Aleman Bishop of Cahors in 1466, and Sybond Aleman Bishop of Grenoble in 1451. The Allemans prospered during the middle ages thanks to one Alleman who in the 10th century helped repel an invasion of pillaging hordes who were supposed to have been Saracens, who were pagans. For his distinguished exploits against the Saracens; Isarn, the Bishop of Grenoble, awarded him the lands and castle of Uriage. It is located about twelve kilometers northwest of Grenoble at the foot of the Dauphinese Alps. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the Alleman family occupied nearly the whole of the Dauphine region. The Alleman family often met in general council. In 1455, 30 men representing twenty branches of the family met in Grenoble at the palace of Bishop Sibond Alleman. The union of it's members was such that it gave rise to a popular proverb - Gare la queue des Alleman - which they adopted as their family motto. They had frequent quarrels, but always settled their disputes among themselves. It was well known that before you quarrel with a member of the Alleman family, you better count the consequences. If a troublesome neighbor entered into a quarrel with the Alleman family, the whole clan would unite in a 'queue', make war upon him, and cut him to pieces.
The "Historie du Chateau d'Uriage" mentions several members of the Alleman family who held positions of rank. There were several governors of the Dauphine, a Grand Prior of Malta, an Archbishop of Aries and Cardinal, who was beatified in the 16th century, several Bishops and Princes of Grenoble, two Bishops of Cahors, and finally, Geoffrey Alleman, Lord of Uriage, better known as Captain of the Mollard. He was described as a very fine cavalier, tall in stature, strong of limb, strong and broad of chest, powerful in frame, bold of heart, gentle and gracious to his neighbors and renowned in his time, one of the strongest and most stalwart of the realm of France. He especially distinguished himself in the Italian wars. One day he nearly took prisioner by surprise Pope Julius the second, and he carried off the great standard of the Church, which was presented to the King of France in the town of Grenoble. He later perished gloriously in the battle of Ravenna. In 1630, the lordship of Uriage passed from the family of Alleman to the family of Boffin. The Allemans embraced the reformation, and were dealt with accordingly. Religious persecution drove them out. They took refuge where they could find it - primarily England and then her colony America. Those who took the Allman spelling dropped the silent e so the name could be pronounced correctly in English. It is not likely that you will run across an Allman who is a Roman Catholic.
Primary source of information: "A Brief Historical Account of an Ancient Name"
The Allman/Almond has also has possible Norman origins. This is supported by the Allmans/Almons of England and Ireland.
My family line traces back to Nathaniel Almond born 1730/1732 in Virginia. My line is Scotch/Irish according to family tradition.
Tom Allman 2008