Alden as both a given name and a surname originated in the Old English language. The name can derive from Ealdwine (meaning "old friend") or (in the Scottish Borders) from Healfdene.
 
People with the surname
 
Alvin Alden (1818–1882), American politician
Blanche Ray Alden (1870–1934), American musician and composer
Charles Henry Alden (1836–1906), American military office
Chris Alden, American entrepreneur
Christopher Alden (director) (born 1944), American theatre director
Cynthia May Alden (1862–1931), American journalist, author, and municipal employee
David Alden (born 1949), American theatre and film director
Edward Alden (born 1961), American-Canadian journalist and policy analyst
Emily Gilmore Alden (1834–1914), American author and educator
George I. Alden (1843–1926), American mechanical engineer and educator
Ginger Alden, American actress and model
Harold Alden (1890–1964), American astronomer
Henry Mills Alden (1836–1919), American author and publication editor
Howard Alden (born 1958), American jazz guitarist
Ichabod Alden (1739–1778), American military officer
Isabella Macdonald Alden (1841–1930), American author
James Alden Jr. (1810–1877), American military officer
Jerome Alden (1921–1997), American playwright, father of Christopher Alden and David Alden
John Alden (c. 1598–1687), one of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower
John Alden (sailor) (c. 1626–1702), American military officer, son of John Alden and Priscilla Alden
John Richard Alden (1908–1991), American historian
Joseph Alden (1807–1885), American scholar, educator, and author
Kay Alden (born 1946), American television writer
Lucy Morris Chaffee Alden (1836–1912), American author, educator, and hymn writer
Mary Alden (1883–1946), American actress
Norman Alden (1924–2012), American actor
Priscilla Alden (c. 1602–1685), one of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower, wife of John Alden and mother of John Alden Jr.
Raymond Macdonald Alden (1873–1924), American scholar and educator
Raymond W. Alden III, American educator and academic administrator
Roy Alden (1863–1937), American newspaper editor and politician
Timothy Alden (1771–1839)), American clergyman and academic administrator
Timothy Alden (politician) (born 1991), Maltese politician
Scott Alden (1907–1977), American law enforcement official, lawyer, college professor, and college athletics head coach
Vernon Roger Alden, American academic administrator
William L. Alden (1837–1908), American journalist and writer
 
Wikipedia