Show ContentsLaban Surname History

Early Origins of the Laban family

The surname Laban was first found in Brittany.

Early History of the Laban family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Laban research. The year 1891 is included under the topic Early Laban History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Laban Spelling Variations

French surnames were subject to numerous alterations in spelling because of the various cultural groups that inhabited specific regions. Eventually, each region possessed its own local dialect of the French language. The early development of the French language, however, was also influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Laban is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Labine, Labin and others.

Early Notables of the Laban family

Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Laban Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Laban family

By 1643 there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Since immigration was slow, early marriage was desperately encouraged amongst the immigrants. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the late 17th and 18th centuries. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500. In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The distinguished family name Laban has made significant contributions to the culture, arts, sciences and religion of France and New France. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Laban were many individuals of the lineage who arrived from France onto Canadian shores between 1600 and 1900. The greatest number of them arrived in Québec in the 19th century. Among them were Alphone Labine, postmaster in Saint-Come in 1871.


Contemporary Notables of the name Laban (post 1700) +

  • Arthur Laban Bates (1859-1934), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1888 (alternate), 1924; U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, 1901-13 (26th District 1901-03, 25th District 1903-13)
  • Charles Laban Capen (1845-1927), American prominent Illinois lawyer, President of the Illinois State Bar Association (1903-1904)
  • Olivier Laban Mattei (b. 1977), French documentary photographer
  • Charles Laban Abernethy (1872-1955), American politician, Democratic U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between 1922 and 1935
  • J. Laban Ainsworth, American Republican politician, Member of New Hampshire State Senate 8th District; Elected 1948; Delegate to New Hampshire State Constitutional Convention from Claremont 2nd Ward, 1956 1
  • Laban Morgan, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from South Carolina, 1912 2
  • Laban Sparks, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Maryland 2nd District, 1912; Delegate to Republican National Convention from Maryland, 1916 3
  • Laban Wheaton (1754-1846), American politician, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts (1809-1815)
  • Laban Ainsworth (1757-1858), American clergyman and pastor
  • Laban S. Sherman, American politician, Member of Ohio State Senate 24th District, 1852-55

HMS Royal Oak
  • Kenneth George Laban (1923-1939), British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 4


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2017, April 12) Laban Sparks. Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  4. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


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