The Allaman Heritage, Durward B. Allaman / Richard J. Henry
All Rights Reserved, © 1997 Richard J. Henry

One of the peculiarities of the Allaman name is the number of variations in the spelling. There appears to be no correct spelling of the name; or rather, they’re all correct! One individual, Nicholas Allemong, spelled his name three different ways in the same document; on the headstones of one couple, Levi Lewis and Mary Ann Allemong, laying side-by-side, the name was not spelled the same. Perhaps an explanation of the great variance is in the interpretation of handwriting, in that e and i, a and o often look indistinguishable in the early script. In another document, a county clerk has even made a marginal notation of the spelling as "Oliman!"

One of the most prominent genealogist of our time on German research is Dr. Clifford Neal Smith, of McNeal, Arizona. In his statements on the migrating Germans he specifically states, and it is documented at the Archives of Europe, that all old German family names which have an "ei" or "ih" the middle of the surname are of the Alemanic origin.

Borrowing from Henry Snyder Alleman’s Alleman Genealogy, "The early Allemans were once described as being like good wine, they ripen very slowly and reach full maturity only when their contemporaries have long since fallen into dotage; in fact they seem to never grow old, and if they decline at all, it is in an almost imperceptible manner."

Every thoroughbred has its characteristics, every race its virtues and vices. So every Alleman exhibits, in some way, the traits of his ancestral group. After almost a thousand years away from their tribal beginnings, and after hundreds of years of intermarriage with people of many nations and of subjection to various environments in far-separated places, these Allemans are still Allemans.

One of the outstanding virtues of an Alleman is his sense of Loyalty. In the early days it was the clan that claimed his devotion. Though the members had differences among themselves which they soon settled, woe to anyone who was thought to impose upon the clan or any of its members. One of the clan’s mottoes was "Queue, gare la queue des Alleman." (Beware the Alleman clan.) Through the years, this sense of loyalty has shown itself in an attachment to family, community, church and nation, wherever an Alleman has gone. Valuing truthfulness as he does, and Alleman hates betrayals and treachery, indignantly repudiating those who would succumb to such vices.

A second characteristic of an Alleman is Fruitfulness. The admonition "Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth" was taken seriously and literally. Early the Alleman barons beautified the swamps of Dauphine and made them productive. They amassed much wealth. Unusually big and muscular, they presented a united strength that made them feared by other clans, some of which were very powerful. The Allemans had large families. The early American emigrants of this family had a prodigious number of children, most of whom were born on these shores. Pioneering and moving from place to place in the States did not seem to diminish the size of the family. Even until quite recently the American Alleman family was a large one.

Another virtue of an Alleman is Aggressiveness. For the most part, these people are "go-getters." This is shown not only in their early baronial conquests but in the outstanding positions of honor and trust that many of them have held through the centuries in both church and state. The temperament of an Alleman admirably conditions him for posts of responsibility. He can to counted on to give all and do all in line of duty.

A fourth reflection of Alleman character is Positiveness. An Alleman has deep-set convictions that mean everything to him and will not be relinquished. Honor is everything. What is right is right and must be maintained against all odds. Even defeat. That is why the gloriously earned inheritance in the Dauphine was sacrificed. Faith was worth more than vast estates. This virtue accounts for the argumentativeness of the family in attempting to explain and hold to a conviction. A true Alleman knows what he believes and is willing to defeat it even at the cost of his life.

Temper is another Alleman trait. An Alleman doe get angry, but not about trifles. This temper is always matched by reason. Even among themselves, Allemans show temper, as is natural among those with decided opinions.

Growing out of these elements is the characteristic of Talkativeness. How make known your position unless you talk! Everywhere the Alleman talks. Sometimes, and to some others, it seems braggadocio. How could it be otherwise with the exploits of the past, the duties of the present and the challenges of the future!

Another predominant Alleman quality is Faith in God. There are no atheists among the Allemans. There could not be, for religion is basic and, taken seriously, guides all his acts. In the early days when the Allemans were Catholics, one whose name was Louis was Archbishop of Arles, and the Cardinal who had the honor of being president of the Council of Basel. Two of them (each named Anthony) were bishops of Cahors. Two others, Sibond and Anthony, were bishops of Grenoble. Today, this faith in God is given expression as the Allemans serve as theological professors and pastors as well as lay officers and workers in the far-flung work of Christendom.

Whatever the virtues of those who bear the name of Alleman, we make no apology for their vices, many of which they certainly have. Like all humankind, they are mortal creatures subject to the limitations of this life.

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