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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 F5v9qKANEH+VQb9jisEmr7Oxm5Lb9EE2BYnaJRAPazjwT3y6L0vaFnKJ7Zm5Jnde
 lbGQvJGOqsbLGo2cdhpCvg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000775368-04-000025.txt : 20040521
<SEC-HEADER>0000775368-04-000025.hdr.sgml : 20040521
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040521115147
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000775368-04-000025
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040519
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040521

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALLEGHANY CORP /DE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000775368
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TITLE INSURANCE [6361]
		IRS NUMBER:				510283071
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		375 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3201
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10152
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127521356

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		375 PARK AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3201
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10152

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ALLEGHANY FINANCIAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19870115

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JOHNSON THOMAS S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001038397

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09371
		FILM NUMBER:		04823227

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ALLEGHANY CORP
		STREET 2:		375 PARK AVENUE, SUITE 3201
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10152
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125088135

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ALLEGHANY CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		375 PARK AVENUE, SUITE 3201
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10152
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-19</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000775368</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALLEGHANY CORP /DE</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>Y</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001038397</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JOHNSON THOMAS S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>GREENPOINT BANK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>90 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10016</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>57</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>262.856</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1459</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents the average of the high and low sales prices of a share of common stock of Alleghany Corporation as reported by the New York Stock Exchange for all trading days during April 2004, calculated for purposes of determining the number of shares of common stock of Alleghany Corporation to be paid to the undersigned as a portion of his annual retainer pursuant to Alleghany Corporation's Directors' Equity Compensation Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes shares of Common Stock paid by Alleghany Corporation as a stock dividend in April 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Christopher K. Dalrymple, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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