McAbe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

On the western coast of Scotland and on the Hebrides islands the McAbe family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from the Gaelic form Mac-Aba, which means son of the Abbot.

Early Origins of the McAbe family

The surname McAbe was first found in on the Isle of Arran, where they held a family seat from early times. The family name McAbe first appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the McAbe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McAbe research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1890 is included under the topic Early McAbe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McAbe Spelling Variations

In various documents McAbe has been spelled Since medieval scribes still spelled according to sound, records from that era contain an enormous number of spelling variations. MacCabe, McCabe, McAbe, MacAbe and others.

Early Notables of the McAbe family

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

Migration of the McAbe family to Ireland

Some of the McAbe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McAbe family

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name McAbe or a variant listed above: Andrew, Anne, Bernard, Bridget, Charles, Edward, Francis, Hugh, James, John, Mary, Michael, Patrick, Peter, and Thomas MacCabe, all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1820 and 1860..

Contemporary Notables of the name McAbe (post 1700) +

James Mcabe, British ice hockey player for the Newcastle TDC Northern Stars in 2010

The McAbe 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: Aut Vincere Aut Mori
Motto Translation: Either to conquer or die.