Abate
A name that likely began as a nickname or status term from the word for an abbot or clergyman.
The #7,644 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 71,074 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Abate is most likely from Italian abate, meaning “abbot” or, more broadly, a cleric. The word goes back to Late Latin abbas/abbatem, ultimately from Aramaic abba, “father.” As a surname, it probably began as a descriptive name for someone connected with the church, or for a person thought to resemble or serve a churchman.
History
The surname is well established in Italy and in Italian diaspora communities, especially in southern Italy. In some cases it may also reflect an occupational or honorific reference rather than direct descent from an actual abbot. Anglicized records sometimes preserve the Italian spelling unchanged.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The Italian word abate is still used for “abbot,” so the surname is very close to an ordinary church title.
From the historical record
“Abasto. Provision de lo necesario. : Abate. El clérigo por lo comun de órdenes menores, ves- tido de habito clerical a la romana. Abel. Espíritu, emanacion. Abrego. Viento que sopla entre medio dia i poniente,”
— Diccionario de los apellidos