Rabbett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Rabbett is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Rabbett family when they emigrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Rabbett comes from the given name Robert, which is adapted from the Norman personal name Radbode. This latter name is composed of the Germanic elements rad, meaning counsel or advice, and bodo, meaning message or tidings.

Early Origins of the Rabbett family

The surname Rabbett was first found in Suffolk where "this ancient family who have resided at Bramfield for several centuries, claim a Norman descent." 1 Following the Norman descent deeper, we found "Hugh Rabace in Normandy 1180-95 and Gerard Rabes there in 1198." 2 However, the family was clearly in England about the same time: "Robert Rabaz gave Kenilworth or Chillingworth Church, Northamptonshire to De la Pré Abbey, which gift was confirmed by Henry II. [his reign: 5 March 1133-6 July 1189]" 2 St. Andrew's Church, Bramfield is a 13th century church which has ledger slabs of members of the Rabett and Nelson families.

Early History of the Rabbett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rabbett research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1298, 1313, 1316 and 1467 are included under the topic Early Rabbett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rabbett Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Rabbett were recorded, including Rabbit, Rabett, Rabit, Rabbitt and others.

Early Notables of the Rabbett family

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

Migration of the Rabbett family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Rabbett arrived in North America very early: Thomas Rabbetts, a bonded passenger who came to America in 1753; Michael Rabbit who settled in Philadelphia in 1851; and John Rabbit, who arrived in Indiana sometime between 1853 and 1855..

Contemporary Notables of the name Rabbett (post 1700) +

Martin Rabbett (b. 1989), American writer and actor, known for Island Son, Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold (1986) and The Bourne Identity (1988)
William Francis Rabbett Jr. (1888-1980), American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Windsor Locks, Connecticut, 1938-55 (acting, 1938-39) 3
James R. Rabbett, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Connecticut, 1948, 1952 3

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html