Show ContentsFaben History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Faben family

The surname Faben was first found in Hampshire where they held a family seat in the year 1184. Fabianus of Cam held estates in that shire at that time. 1 The name has two possible origins: from the ancient personal name, the Latin Fabianus; 2 and from the Latin Fabius, Faba, a bean-the bean-man, so called from his success in cultivating beans. 3

Other early records of the family include: Willelmus filius Fabiani, identical with William Fabian in the Curia Regis Rolls of Essex in 1220; and William Fabien from Norfolk, 1231-1253. 1

Early History of the Faben family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Faben research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1220, 1493, 1496, 1498, 1503, 1506, 1512, 1526, 1553, 1582 and 1593 are included under the topic Early Faben History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Faben Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Faben has been spelled many different ways, including Fabian, Fabyan, Fabien, Fabyn, Fabyen and others.

Early Notables of the Faben family

Distinguished members of the family include Robert Fabyan (died c.1512), a London draper, Sheriff and Alderman, and author of Fabyan's Chronicle. He "came of a respectable family in Essex. We gather from his will that his father's name was John, and his mother's Agnes. It would seem that he followed his father as a clothier in London, where he became a member of the Draper's Company and alderman of the ward of Farringdon Without. In 1493 he held the office of sheriff, and in 1496 was one of a committee appointed to lay before Henry VII the grievances of the London...
Another 101 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Faben Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Faben family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Fabens to arrive in North America: Simon Fabian who arrived in Virginia in 1668; MIchel Fabian who settled in Pennsylvania in 1751; John Fabian who arrived in New Orleans in 1857; Christoph Fabian who arrived in New York city in 1862.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print


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