Show ContentsAbott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Abott, comes from the Old English word "abbod," which in turn comes from a Latin and a Greek root, and means "priest." The celibacy of the clergy makes it unlikely that this name is actually an occupational name for a priest, but rather was likely a name first used by someone who employed by the church, or someone thought to resemble an abbot in some way.

Early Origins of the Abott family

The surname Abott was first found in the counties of Oxfordshire, Huntingdon, Bedfordshire and Cambridge from very ancient times, before the Norman Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Abott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abott research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1306, 1577, 1611 and 1912 are included under the topic Early Abott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Abott Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Abbott, Abbot, Abbotts, Abbett, Abbet, Abott and others.

Early Notables of the Abott family

More information is included under the topic Early Abott Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Abott family to Ireland

Some of the Abott family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Abott migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Abott Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Jon Abott, who arrived in Virginia in 1633 1
  • Michael Abott, who landed in Maryland in 1658 1

Canada Abott migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Abott Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Albert Abott, (b. 1855), aged 44, Cornish smith traveling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 22nd October 1899 en route to London, Ontario, Canada 2
  • Mr. William Abott, (b. 1832), aged 67, Cornish farmer traveling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 22nd October 1899 en route to London, Ontario, Canada 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Abott (post 1700) +

  • Jacinta Titialii Abott, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from American Samoa, 2008


The Abott Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Deo patria amicis
Motto Translation: A friend to God and my country.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf


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