Abal last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Abal is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Abal.

Meaning of Abal

A Spanish habitational surname referring to someone who lived near poplar trees or in a place abundant with them.

Abal, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Abal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Abal in America

Abal is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Abal surname appeared 106 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Abal.

The history of the last name Abal

The surname ABAL originated in Spain during the medieval period, specifically in the regions of Catalonia and Valencia. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "abbal," which means "rope maker" or "cord maker." This suggests that the earliest bearers of this surname were likely involved in the crafting of ropes and cords, a trade that was particularly important in coastal areas with maritime activities.

The earliest recorded instances of the ABAL surname can be traced back to the 13th and 14th centuries, appearing in various historical documents and records from the regions of Catalonia and Valencia. One notable example is the mention of a Joan Abal in a medieval manuscript from the city of Barcelona, dated 1327. This document provides evidence of the surname's existence during that time period.

In the 15th century, the ABAL surname gained recognition when a prominent family bearing this name settled in the town of Vilallonga, located in the Valencian region. The Abal family played a significant role in the local community and left their mark on the town's history. One notable member was Pere Abal (1472-1538), a respected landowner and farmer who contributed to the agricultural development of the area.

As the centuries passed, the ABAL surname spread across Spain and beyond. In the 17th century, records show the presence of individuals bearing this surname in the Balearic Islands, particularly on the island of Mallorca. One prominent figure was Antoni Abal (1612-1684), a renowned painter and artist who gained recognition for his religious works and contributions to the local art scene.

During the 18th century, the ABAL surname also found its way to the Spanish colonies in the Americas. Juan Abal (1734-1802), a Spanish sailor and explorer, was among the early bearers of this surname to venture across the Atlantic. He participated in several expeditions and contributed to the mapping and exploration of the Caribbean region.

Another notable figure with the ABAL surname was Francisco Abal (1856-1928), a Spanish politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Spanish parliament during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was actively involved in the political debates and reforms of his time, leaving a lasting impact on the country's legislative landscape.

While the ABAL surname has its roots in Spain and the Mediterranean region, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. However, its origins can be traced back to the medieval era, where it emerged as a occupational surname associated with the rope-making trade in the coastal regions of Spain.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Abal

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Abal.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Abal was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 25.47% 27
Non-Hispanic Black Only 4.72% 5
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin 66.98% 71

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Abal was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Abal, please contact us.

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"Abal last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/abal-surname-popularity/.

"Abal last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/abal-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Abal last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/abal-surname-popularity/.

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