The surname of ALLGIRE was an English personal name which is of several different origins, both Continental and Germanic, and was brought into England by the Normans in the wake of the Norman Invasion of 1066. The first element of the name ALL meant old and the second element GER or GAR meant spear. In regions that were under Scandinavian influence the name was ALFGEIRR. Other spellings include ALGAR, AUGER, ELGAR, ELGER, AUGIER, AUGIE, AUGEREAU and AUGERON. Early records of the name include Simon Thomas ALGER of County Essex who was documented in the year 1221 and Richard ALGAR of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Edward ALGAR appears in County Lancashire in 1400. When the coast of England was invaded by William The Conqueror in the year 1066, the Normans brought with them a store of French personal names, which soon, more or less, entirely replaced the traditional more varied Old English personal names, at least among the upper and middle classes. A century of so later, given names of the principal saints of the Christian church began to be used. It is from these two types of given name that the majority of the English patronymic surnames are derived and used to this day. A later instance of the name includes Charles ALLGER and Sarah Davies who were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in the year 1767. A notable member of the name was Horatio ALGER (1832-99) the American writer and clergyman, born in Revere, Massachusetts. He was educated at Harvard, became a Unitarian minister, and wrote boys' adventure stories on the 'poor boy makes good' theme, such as 'Ragged Dick' (1867) and 'From Canal Boy to President' (1881). The eagle depicted in the crest is emblematical of fortitude and magnanimity of mind. The Romans used the figure of an eagle for their ensign, and their example has been often followed. It is the device of Russia, Austria, Germany and the United States of America.