Alisoun
Alisoun Origin and Meaning
Alisoun is a medieval feminine name, representing an early variant of the modern name Alison. Derived from the Norman French diminutive of Alice (Aalis), itself coming from the Germanic name Adalheidis meaning 'noble type,' Alisoun was relatively common in medieval England and Scotland. Geoffrey Chaucer notably used this spelling for a character in 'The Miller's Tale' within his Canterbury Tales (late 14th century), giving literary recognition to the name. Alisoun gradually evolved into the more recognizable Alison by the early modern period. This medieval spelling captures the authentic pronunciation and orthography of its time, when English spelling wasn't yet standardized. While extremely rare today in its original form, Alisoun offers a distinctive historical alternative to the more common Alison, connecting directly to medieval English heritage and literature.