Show ContentsFabean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Fabean family

The surname Fabean 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 Fabean family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fabean 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 Fabean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fabean Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Fabean were recorded, including Fabian, Fabyan, Fabien, Fabyn, Fabyen and others.

Early Notables of the Fabean 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 Fabean Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fabean family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Fabean family emigrate to 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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