Recorded in many spelling forms including the French and English Abba, Abbay, Abbe, Abbate, Abbatt, Labbe, Labbey, Labey, Abade, the Scottish Abbie and Abbe, and the Italian Abbattini, Dell'Abate or Degli Abbati, this most interesting and unusual surname is of Olde French pre 10th century origins. It derives from the word "abet" which usually means a priest, but may have also, particularly in Italy, have referrred to a local chief or an official master of ceremonies. This indicates that several origins are possible, including a nickname for one who was thought to be rather "priestly" in his characteristics, or an occupational or status name for a local chief or official, or that it may be theatrical and a "casting" name for an actor, one who played the part of a priest in the famous travelling theatres of the medieval period.
Despite the first recording shown below the name is unlikely, as a hereditary surname, to have originated from an actual abbe or priest. These members of the clergy since the 11th century, have been expected to be unmarried and celibate. Whether they were or not is open to some discussion, particulary as occasionally this surname is recorded as a patronymic or diminutive, indicating the "son of the abbe!". The surname is first recorded in any form anywhere in the world in England in 1177, when Ralph Le Abbe appears in the charters of London during the reign of King Henry 11 (1154 - 1189). 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.
It should derive from nicknames linked to the pre-Renaissance term abbas, abbatis, "abbot, lord" also understood as "chief, commander".
As far as the Sardinian lineages are concerned, it could derive from toponyms.
In the ancient documents of the Sardinian language, Abbas is found, a village, now destroyed, also called Villa d'Abbas - Contrate Montis Regalis (Monreale Castle), located near Sardara and where today stands the Sanctuary of Santa Maria Aquas. In the ancient papers another Abbas - Contrate Partis de Guilcier village is named, today's Abbasanta, the ancient Roman station, known by the name of Medias Aquas.
The surname Abba is present in Piedmont, where it seems to exist an original nucleus in the Cuneo area, in Liguria and in Lombardy, there is also a lineage in Sardinia.
The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname abba is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of abba.
The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname abba provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname abba, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of abba developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname abba.
We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about abba and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname abba were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname abba, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.
The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of abba are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of abba.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of abba, and at the same time, of surnames in general.