The present generation of the Abbty family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient
Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in or near an abbey. More specifically, the surname Abbty was originally derived from the settlement of Abdy, a family estate in
Yorkshire. The surname also has an
occupational origin, and signifies one who was employed at an abbey.
Early Origins of the Abbty family
The surname Abbty was first found in
Yorkshire, where Robert and Johannes del Abdy were registered in the
Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Further north, Abdie is a parish, in the district of Cupar,
Fifeshire.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3) "The parish, anciently called Lindores, was formerly of much greater extent than at present, including the lands of the parish of Newburgh."
[3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. Stapleford Abbot's in
Essex was home to another branch of the family. "The fine old mansion of Albyns, the residence of the Abdy family, built by Inigo Jones, is situated here. In the church are also monuments to the family of Abdy; to John, Lord Fortescue, one of the justices of the court of common pleas; and his son Dormer, the last lord."
[4]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Abbty family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abbty research.
Another 252 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1577, 1583, 1600, 1730, 1776, 1791, 1846, 1579, 1640, 1630, 1631, 1612, 1686, 1655, 1704, 1688, 1733, 1689, 1750, 1615, 1670, 1643, 1691, 1688, 1748, 1727, 1748, 1620 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Abbty History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Abbty Spelling Variations
Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few
hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently,
spelling variations in names are frequently found in early
Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Abbty include Abdy, Abdie, Abde, Abdey, Abdee, Abdye, Abbdy, Abbdey and many more.
Early Notables of the Abbty family (pre 1700)
Distinguished members of the family include Anthony Abdy (1579-1640), East India merchant of London, Sheriff of London (1630-1631); Sir Thomas Abdy, 1st
Baronet (1612-1686), an English lawyer and landowner; Sir Anthony Abdy, 2nd
Baronet (1655-1704), an English landowner; Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy, 3rd
Baronet (1688-1733), English lawyer and landowner; Sir...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Abbty Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Abbty family to Ireland
Some of the Abbty family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 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 Abbty family to the New World and Oceana
Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in
England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Abbty were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Mathew Abdy, who sailed to Virginia in 1635; Nicholas Abdey to Virginia in 1637; Roger Abdy to America in 1640; and John Abdee to Maryland in 1670. Samuel and George Abdy were living in Bruce County, Ontario in 1867..
The Abbty 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: Tenax et fidelis
Motto Translation: Persevering and faithful.