Alefounder
One-Name Study

Topics

• About the Alefounder One-Name Study
• Variants
• Origin of the surname
• Historical occurrences
• Frequency of the name
• Distribution of the name
• Data
• Links
• Contact Details

About the Alefounder One-Name Study

A study of the surname Alefounder, wherever and whenever it may appear.

Variants

There are no real variants of the name. Various spellings have been used, but not consistently over several generations, and sometimes not consistently by a single individual. The most frequent alternative spellings are Alfounder (particularly in the 17th century), Allfounder, Ailfounder and Alifounder.

Origin of the surname

The name originated in Essex or Suffolk, presumably being derived from the local official called an alefounder, aleconnor or ale-taster, appointed to oversee the brewing of ale and beer and to assess the quality and to regulate the price of the product.

Historical occurrences

Noted individuals include the artist John Alefounder (1757-1794) and the 18th century mapmakers Thomas Alefounder and his son, also called Thomas.

Frequency of the name

My estimate is that the name is used by about 100 people worldwide at the moment, and has been used by around 2500 people since hereditary surnames came into use in England.

Distribution of the name

Most Alefounders live in England. There are a few in the USA, Canada, New Zealand and, I believe, one in Australia.

Data

Information from civil registration records, parish register entries, wills, administrations, inventories, census returns, manorial rolls, books and rentals, heraldic visitations, legal records including appearances in criminal cases and chancery proceedings, records of apprenticeships and freemen, tax assessments, poll books, newspapers and various other miscellaneous sources.

Links

Alefounder Ancestors: the web site I maintain for the one-name study. Genealogy can never be considered finished - there is always the possibility of finding another ancestor - but it is my policy to put here any items that have reached a sufficiently coherent and publishable form.

Contact details

For further information, contact:

Mr Peter R Alefounder
E-mail:

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