Abbott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


Abbott is an old Anglo-Saxon name that was given to a person who was a superior of a monastery, an Abbot. The name Abbott may also be a nickname applied to someone who played the part of an abbot in a medieval pageant, or to a person thought to be particularly pious and devout. 1

Early Origins of the Abbott family

The surname Abbott was first found in the counties of Oxfordshire, Huntingdon, Bedfordshire and Cambridge from very ancient times. The family was in this area before the Norman Conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy in 1066 AD.

Alfwoldus Abbas (1111-1117) is one such example of a man who was a holder of the monasterial office of Abbot. It is also assumed that the name may have been a source of several more surnames at a later date. Walter Abbott was recorded in the year 1200, in the City of London. 1

Walter Abat was recorded in The Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219. Peter le Abbot (the Abbot) of Essex is documented in the records of the Hornchurch priory, and is also mention of Ralph Abbod in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1272. 2

The Abbotson and Abotson variants date back to 1200 when Walter Abbottson was recorded in London at that time. 2

Early History of the Abbott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Abbott research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1306, 1379, 1560, 1562, 1565, 1577, 1588, 1603, 1612, 1617, 1623, 1633, 1642, 1648, 1662, 1720 and 1912 are included under the topic Early Abbott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Abbott Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Abbott has been recorded under many different variations, including Abbott, Abbot, Abbotts, Abbett, Abbet, Abott and others.

Early Notables of the Abbott family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Abbott World Ranking

In the United States, the name Abbott is the 463rd most popular surname with an estimated 62,175 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Abbott is ranked the 652nd most popular surname with an estimated 7,929 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Abbott is the 24th popular surname with an estimated 732 people with that name. 5 Australia ranks Abbott as 375th with 9,823 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Abbott as 493rd with 1,382 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Abbott as 330th with 18,550 people. 8

Migration of the Abbott family to Ireland

Some of the Abbott 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.


Abbott migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Abbott or a variant listed above:

Abbott Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Abbott Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Abbott Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Abbott Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Abbott migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Abbott Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Abbott Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Abbott migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Abbott Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Abbott Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Abbott migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Abbott Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Abbott migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Abbott Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Abbott (post 1700) +


The Abbott 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.


Suggested Readings for the name Abbott +
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