Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Able

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Able?

The surname "Able" is of Old French and Old German origin. It is derived from the Old French word "able," meaning "able" or "capable." In Old German, the name is thought to have originated from the element "adel," meaning "noble." Over time, the name likely evolved and spread to England, where it was anglicized to "Able." The surname may have been used to describe someone who was skilled, capable, or noble in some way.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Able

The meaning and origin of the last name Able

The surname Able is of English origin and has several possible meanings. It is believed to be derived from the Middle English word "able" or "habil," which means capable or skillful. This could have originally been a nickname for someone who was considered skilled or talented in a particular trade or profession. Another possible origin is from the Old Norse name "Abel" or the Old German name "Abel," both of which mean noble or aristocratic. The surname Able may have been used to denote someone of noble birth or descent. Overall, the surname Able likely originated as a nickname or occupational name, and over time, it has become a hereditary surname passed down through generations.

Geographical distribution of the last name Able

The last name Able is relatively rare and is predominantly found in the United States, with a concentration in the southern region of the country. States such as Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia have a higher frequency of individuals with the last name Able. Additionally, there are smaller populations of Ables in England, Canada, and Australia. The surname Able likely has English origins, and it may have been brought to the United States by early settlers from Europe. Overall, the distribution of the last name Able is scattered and not heavily concentrated in any particular region, making it a unique and distinctive surname among the global population.

Variants and spellings of the last name Able

The last name Able can be spelled in various ways, each with its own unique variation. Some common spellings include Abell, Abel, Ables, and Ayble. Other less common variations may include Abole, Abyl, and Ebel. These variations may be the result of different regional dialects or changes in spelling over time. Regardless of the spelling, the surname Able likely has its origins in Middle English and Old French, derived from the word "able" meaning capable or competent. This surname may have been given to individuals who were deemed skilled or proficient in a particular trade or profession. Overall, the variations and spellings of the last name Able showcase the rich diversity and evolution of surnames throughout history.

Famous people with the last name Able

Some famous people with the last name Able include Geena Davis, an accomplished actress known for her roles in films such as "Thelma & Louise" and "A League of Their Own." Another notable figure is Johnny Knoxville, a stunt performer and actor who gained fame for his work on the television show "Jackass." In addition, there is Wilberforce Able, a renowned British politician and philanthropist who played a significant role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in the 19th century. These individuals have made lasting impacts in their respective fields, showcasing their talents and abilities to the world. Their contributions have solidified their places in history and continue to inspire others to strive for greatness in their own pursuits.

Genealogical research on the last name Able

The surname Able is of English origin, derived from the Old Norse personal name "Ábli", which is a nickname form of the Old Norse "Anlaf", meaning "ancestor's descendant". The name is believed to have originated in the Northern regions of England, particularly in Yorkshire. The Able family has a long history in England, with records dating back to the 13th century. The name has been found in various spellings over the centuries, including Able, Abel, and Abell. The Able family has been involved in various occupations throughout history, including farming, trade, and military service. Today, descendants of the Able family can be found in England, the United States, and other English-speaking countries around the world. Researching the Able family lineage can provide valuable insights into English history and culture.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Ablan

Last name • surnames > ablan

The last name "Ablan" is of Filipino origin. It is a common surname in the Philippines and is believed to be of Ilocano descent. The name may have originated from the Ilocano word ...

#2 Ablaneda

Last name • surnames > ablaneda

The surname "Ablaneda" is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "abanico" meaning "fan," which is a traditional Spanish accessory. The surname likely originated as...

#3 Ablang

Last name • surnames > ablang

The surname "Ablang" is of Philippine origin. It is a combination of the Tagalog words "ab" which means "have" and "lang" which means "only" or "just".

#4 Ablao

Last name • surnames > ablao

The surname "Ablao" is of Filipino origin. It is possible that it is derived from the Ilocano word "ablay" which means "to sew" or "to mend," suggesting that it may have been a occ...

#5 Ablekimoglu

Last name • surnames > ablekimoglu

The last name "Ablekimoglu" is of Turkish origin.

#6 Ablelom

Last name • surnames > ablelom

The last name Ablelom is of Hungarian origin. It is derived from the Hungarian word "abél", meaning "son of Abel".

#7 Ableman

Last name • surnames > ableman

The surname Ableman is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Aeþelmaer", which means "noble and famous". Over time, it evolved into the surname Able...

#8 Abler

Last name • surnames > abler

The last name "Abler" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "abel," which means "noble" or "kind." The name may have originally been used to describe ...

#9 Ables

Last name • surnames > ables

The surname "Ables" is of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "able," meaning capable or skillful. It likely originated as a nickname or occupational name fo...

#10 Ablin

Last name • surnames > ablin

The last name "Ablin" is believed to have originated from the Hebrew name "Abel" or "Abelin," which means "breath" or "vanity." It is a surname of Jewish origin and can be found in...

#11 Abling

Last name • surnames > abling

The surname "Abling" is of German origin. It is believed to be derived from the Old High German personal name "Adalhoh" and the suffix "-ing", which denoted "son of". Over time, th...

#12 Abliz

Last name • surnames > abliz

The last name "Abliz" is of Turkic origin. It is a common surname in regions with Turkic influence, such as Turkey, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. The name likely has roots in the...

#13 Ablou

Last name • surnames > ablou

The last name "Ablou" is of Persian origin. It may have different meanings in Persian, but it is generic associated with positive traits of character such as beauty, generosity or ...

#14 Abloul

Last name • surnames > abloul

The surname Abloul has roots that can be traced back to North Africa, specifically Tunisia and Algeria. It is a variant of the Arabic surname "Abu al-Lu'lu", which means "the fathe...

#15 Ably kashem

Last name • surnames > ably-kashem

The last name "Kashem" is of Arabic origin. It derived from the personal name "Kasim," which means "divisor" or "distributor" in Arabic.