Albin Burton of Wiltshire, England

Another of my English ancestors was named Albin (or Alban) Burton. I wondered about the significance of such an unusual name. Here is what I found:

ALBAN
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, German
Pronounced: AL-ban (English), AHL-bahn (German)
From the Roman family name Albanus which meant "from Alba" in Latin. Alba was the name of various places within the Roman Empire, including the city Alba Longa. The name "Albin" or "Alban" means white or pale-skinned and was common in Roman and medieval times. It was not common, supposedly, in modern times.

Saint Alban was the first British martyr (4th century). According to tradition, he sheltered a fugitive priest in his house. When his house was searched, he disguised himself as the priest, was arrested in his stead, and was beheaded.

We also find the name, more or less, in Roman/Britain history. The Governor of Britain at the death of the emperor Pertinax, Decimus Clodius Albinus attempted to seize the throne but ended up as Caesar in alliance with another imperial contender, Septimius Severus. After Severus defeated two other rivals, the now expendable Albinus was forced into another attempt at usurpation, an attempt that came to an end at the bloody battle of Lyon in 197 A.D.

Being named after a Roman emporer, however uncelebrated, would be pretty neat I'd say!