This unusual name is well if somewhat rarely recorded as far back as the early 17th Century. There are two possible origins, the first being that it is a variant spelling of the Olde English personal name "Adelnod" which translates as "Noble-Daring", and is usually found in the modern spelling as Allnutt, Alner, Elaugh and Elnough. The second that it is a variant of Eleanor, popularised by Eleanor of Aquataine, and the later Eleanor of Castile (1244 -1290) wife of Edward 1, also spelt as Elinor. The surname development includes Rath Ellnor who married Thomas Grastock at St James, Duke Street, London in 1689 and Margaret Elner who married William Armstead on November 11th 1753, by Civil Licence in London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jane Ellner, which was dated 1629, Married William Kellett on June 20th Licence in London, during the reign of King Charles 1, known as "The Martyr", 1625 - 1649. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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