Show ContentsAnnabel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Annabel

What does the name Annabel mean?

Annabel is a name that dates far back into the mists of early British history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is derived from the female personal name Anabel, which was originally derived from the Latin word amablis, which means lovable. 1

"There is no difficulty about it. Originally it was Amable or Amabel, but very soon became Annabel, whence the Scottish Annaple and Annabella. " 2

"There is no evidence for the use of Hannibal as a Christian name in England before 1619 in Cornwall." 3

Early Origins of the Annabel family

The surname Annabel was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where we found entries as a forename and surname: Amabilia (without surname), Buckinghamshire; John filius Amabilie, Huntingdonshire; and John Amable Cambridgeshire. 2

The Close Rolls listed Richard Anabilla, temp. Richard II, Mathew Hanybal, 39 Henry III (in the 39th year of King Henry III's reign), John Anable, 22 Edward III (during the 22nd year of King Edward III's reign.) 2

In Cheshire, Roger, George Anabull(e) was listed there in 1499 and 1539. Thomas Hannyball was listed in Oxfordshire in 1513 and John Anyable was listed in Suffolk in 1568. 3

Early History of the Annabel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Annabel research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1166, 1256, 1275, 1282, 1504, 1513, 1515, 1520, 1523, 1531, 1792 and 1821 are included under the topic Early Annabel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Annabel Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Annabel are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Annabel include: Annabell, Anabell, Anebelle, Annabal, Annable, Anable, Amable, Amabilis, Annible, Hunnable, Hannibal, Honeyball, Honeybell and many more.

Early Notables of the Annabel family

Distinguished members of the family include Thomas Hannibal (d. 1531), English judge who was incepted in the canon law at the university of Cambridge in 1504, and the same year was installed prebendary of Gevendale in the church of York. "He was incorporated D.C.L. at Oxford in 1513, and graduated LL.D. at Cambridge, and received the appointment of vicar-general to Silvester, bishop of Worcester, in the following year. He entered the...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Annabel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Annabel family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Annabel or a variant listed above: Anthony Annabal, who sailed to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621; Jane Annable to Plymouth in 1623; John Annable to Massachusetts in 1641; Robert Annable to Massachusetts in 1690.


Contemporary Notables of the name Annabel (post 1700) +

  • Floyd W. Annabel (1886-1944), American Democratic Party politician, Justice of New York Supreme Court 7th District, 1935 4
  • Annabel Claire Giles (1959-2023), British television and radio presenter
  • Annabel Abbs (b. 1964), English writer and novelist, daughter of poet and academic, Professor Peter Abbs
  • Mrs. Annabel Frances Dunkels C.V.O., L.V.O. (b. 1956), British Director of Communications and Business Development for the Royal Collection, was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order on 29th December 2018 5
  • Miss Annabel Sarah Jones M.B.E. (b. 1989), British Risk and Governance Manager for Card and Payment Team at Barclays Chief Controls Office and Wales Advisory Committee Member for Stroke Association, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for volunteering including raising £60,000 for the Stroke Association 5
  • Annabel Port (b. 1975), Sony Award-winning British radio presenter
  • Annabel Nicola Croft (b. 1966), English former professional British No. 1 female tennis player and current radio and television presenter from Farnborough, Kent
  • Annabel Tiffin, English BBC broadcast journalist and presenter, currently the main presenter and producer for the regional news program North West Tonight
  • Annabel Ellwood (b. 1978), Australian former tennis player, sister of Ben Elwood
  • Annabel MacNicoll Goldie DL (b. 1950), Baroness Goldie, a British politician, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives between 2005 and 2011


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  5. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists


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