The name Fabian has its origins in the Roman praenomen Fabianus, which was derived from the Latin nomen Fabius. The gens Fabia was an ancient Roman family that traced its roots back to the founding of Rome. The name is believed to be derived from the Latin word "faba," meaning "bean," suggesting that the Fabian family may have been bean growers or sellers.

The name Fabian gained prominence in the early Christian era, with several martyrs and saints bearing the name. One of the most notable was Pope Fabian, who served as the Bishop of Rome from 236 to 250 AD. He is remembered for organizing the Church in Rome and for his martyrdom during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Decius.

In the 3rd century, Saint Fabian was a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity and was subsequently martyred for his faith. His feast day is celebrated on January 20th in the Catholic Church.

The name Fabian also gained popularity during the Middle Ages. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Fabian von Lohausen, a German knight and poet who lived in the 13th century. He is best known for his contributions to the Minnesang, a tradition of courtly love poetry.

During the Renaissance, the name Fabian was associated with the Italian Renaissance writer and philosopher Fabian Benvoglio, who lived from 1450 to 1522. He is known for his works on moral philosophy and his influence on humanist thought.

Other notable historical figures named Fabian include:

1. Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen (1778-1852), a Russian naval officer and explorer who led the first Russian Antarctic expedition.
2. Fabian Sebastián (1554-1589), a Spanish Jesuit missionary and martyr who was killed in Virginia while attempting to establish a mission.
3. Fabian Stedman (1630-1713), an English clerk and author who wrote extensively on the subject of bell ringing.
4. Fabian Fröhlich (1563-1599), a German mathematician and astronomer who made important contributions to the field of trigonometry.
5. Fabian Peña (1539-1612), a Spanish Catholic missionary and linguist who worked among the indigenous peoples of Mexico.