Larrabee
An American surname of unclear origin, with forms suggesting a place-name or possibly a French-influenced spelling.
The #8,231 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 76,650 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname Larrabee is not clearly explained in the provided historical sources. Its spelling suggests it may be a later Americanized form influenced by French or Norman-looking name shapes, but the exact roots are uncertain. In older surname dictionaries, it appears mainly as a listed form rather than as a fully analyzed entry.
History
The name is recorded in 19th-century surname lists, showing that it was already established enough in English-speaking communities to be noted alongside other family names. In the United States it remains comparatively uncommon, but it has persisted as a recognizable surname. Because the early sources do not give a secure derivation, its deeper history should be treated cautiously.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Early surname compilers listed Larrabee among a cluster of names that look French or Anglo-French, which is one reason later writers sometimes guessed at a foreign origin.
From the historical record
“Lannan and Laknon, Lanney, Laiss, Lansil, Lant, Lantalum, Lanza, Lapearle, Lapham, Lappen, Larcome, Larrabee, Larvan, Larvenstein, Lary, Laselle, Laskey, Latchat, Latchford, Latham, Latimore, Latour, Latz, Laughran, Laule, Lauphas, Lauterbach, Laya IS" seller and Leyanseller, La- yery, Lavis, Lawler, Laybold…”
— Suffolk Surnames (3rd ed.)