The name Abagail is a variant of the Hebrew name Abigail, which means "father's joy" or "source of joy". It is derived from the Hebrew words "av" meaning "father" and "gil" meaning "joy" or "rejoicing".

The name Abigail first appears in the Old Testament of the Bible, where it is the name of a wise and virtuous woman who becomes the wife of King David. This story is found in the Book of Samuel and is set in ancient Israel around 1000 BCE.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Abagail was Abagail de Brecknock, a Welsh noblewoman who lived in the 13th century. Another early example is Abagail Coltein, an English woman who was mentioned in historical records from Dorset in 1524.

In the 17th century, the name Abagail gained popularity among Puritans in England and later in the American colonies. One notable bearer was Abagail Adams (1744-1818), the wife of the second President of the United States, John Adams. She was an influential figure in the early years of the nation.

Another famous Abagail was Abagail Kelley Foster (1810-1887), an American abolitionist and women's rights activist who played a significant role in the anti-slavery movement and the early women's suffrage movement.

In the world of literature, Abagail is the name of a character in the novel "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller, which is set during the Salem witch trials of 1692-1693. The character, Abigail Williams, is a central figure in the play's plot and is portrayed as a manipulative and vengeful young woman.

Other notable women named Abagail throughout history include Abagail Phelps (1788-1868), an American educator and author; Abagail Fithian (1757-1809), an American diarist and teacher; and Abagail Washburn (born 1977), an American singer-songwriter and musician known for her work in folk and bluegrass music.