Topics

• About the Fabian One-Name Study
• Variants
• Origin of the surname
• Historical occurrences
• Frequency of the name
• Distribution of the name
• Data
• Contact Details

About the Fabian One-Name Study

The FABIAN one-name study started in 2006 and was registered in 2007.

Variants

There will possibly be a number of these as I progress with the study, but at present none are registered.

Origin of the surname

Possible origins could be:

FAB(I)A - meaning a bean or bean grower, appears as early as the Neolithic times and frequently in Ancient Greece and Roman. In a 1st century Roman cookbook it is described as being used, shelled or in its pod.

FABIANUS- a Roman first name and FABIUS a Roman family name.

Historical occurrences

The earliest reference to the name of Fabian, that I have found, are a Saint Fabian who died in the year AD250.

In England the name appears in a number of records through the 15th century held in The National Archives.

In 1954-58 a TV programme named 'Fabian of the Yard' was based on the real life experience of Inspector Robert Fabian formerly of Scotland Yard.

Frequency of the name

The 1881 census gives around 220 entries.

Hampshire totals the most with 62 and 39 coming from Portsea.

London totals 51 and Glamorgan with 24, 14 of those from Kenfig.

Distribution of the name

The distribution in England and Wales in 1881 was centred on Wales, Hampshire, Cambridgeshire, London, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. Small numbers appear in Essex, Notts and Ayrshire.

At the present time it is much wider.

The name is found in most countries across Europe from East to West, with variations of spelling according to the language spoken.

Data

As this is a fairly new study you will realize that I am collecting data from where and when ever I can.

If you can assist in my data collection I will be pleased to hear from you.

Contact details

For further information, contact:

Mrs Jean Herbert
E-mail:

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Profiles of other one-name studies registered with the Guild may be found here.