Abell Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

This interesting and unusual surname is Anglo-Scottish.  It mainly introduced by returning 12th-century Crusaders and pilgrims from the Holy Land.  ‘Abel’ originates from the Hebrew given name ‘Hevel’ meaning ‘breath or vigour’, and was presumably a name of affection or possibly a nickname.  As a personal name ‘Abel’ (Hevel) borne by the son of Adam, who was killed by his brother Cain.  It was very popular as a given name in Christendom during the Middle Ages, when there was a cult of ‘suffering innocence’ which Abel described. More common variations are: Abella, Abello, Abelli, Abelie, Abelle, Abelly, Ajbell, Aibell, Abbell, A’Bell, Aubell.

The surname Abell was first found in the divisions of Kent, Derbyshire and Essex. ” Abell was also an Essex family, although branches spread into the divisions of Kent and Derby.”  The very first recorded spelling of the family was shown to be that of William Abel,  dated 1197, in the Pipe Rolls of the County of Essex. It was during the reign of King Richard I, who was known as “The Lionheart”, dated 1189-1199.  Surnames all over the country became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation.  It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Some of the people with the name Abell who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Robert Abell (1605-1663), English settler from Stapenhill, Derbyshire who landed in Weymouth, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the Winthrop Fleet.  Peter Abell, who landed in Long Island in 1656. James Abell, who arrived in Maryland in 1664.  Joseph Abell, who landed in Maryland in 1667.  Macklett Abell, who came to Maryland in 1667. People with the surname Abell who landed in the United States in the 18th century included Hans Jacob Abell, who landed in New York in 1709.

The following century saw much more Abell surnames arrive.  Some of the people with the surname Abell who came in the United States in the 19th century included E S Abell, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850.  R Abell, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Essex). Ar. a fesse purp. betw. three boars’ heads couped gu. Crest—An arm in armour embowed ppr. holding a sword ar. hilted or, enfiled on the arm with a wreath ar. and gu.
2) (co. Kent). Barry of four or and az. on a chief sa. three plates.
3) (Kent and London). Ar. a saltire engr. az. (another gu.). Crest—The same as Abell of Essex.
4) (Stapenhill, co. Derby. Visit. 1611). Ar. on a saltire engr. az. nine fleurs-de-lis of the field.
5) Ar. on a saltire engr. az. twelve fleurs-de-lis or.
6) Vert fretty ar. and a fesse gu.