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

Mabe, 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 Mabe surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Mabe in America

Mabe is the 5052nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Mabe surname appeared 6,939 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Mabe.

We can also compare 2010 data for Mabe to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Mabe

The surname Mabe has its origins in England, with roots dating back to the late 12th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "mæbbe," meaning "mab" or "little person," which was likely used as a nickname or descriptive name for someone of small stature.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1195, where a certain Walter Mabe is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the region during that period.

In the 13th century, the name appears in various records from different parts of England, such as the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, which lists a John Mabe in Oxfordshire. This indicates that the name had spread across the country by that time.

Interestingly, the name Mabe is also linked to certain place names, particularly in Cornwall, where it is believed to have originated from the Cornish word "mab," meaning "son." This connection is evident in places like Mabe Burnthouse and Mabe Arworthal, both located in Cornwall.

Among the notable individuals bearing the Mabe surname throughout history are:

1. William Mabe (c. 1490 - 1558), an English landowner and Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire during the reign of Queen Mary I.
2. John Mabe (c. 1602 - 1679), a British merchant and explorer who is credited with being one of the first Europeans to establish trade relations with the Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand).
3. Elizabeth Mabe (1670 - 1742), an early settler in the American colonies and one of the founders of the town of Mabetown, which is now part of West Virginia.
4. Robert Mabe (1785 - 1868), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and rose to the rank of Rear Admiral.
5. Jonathan Mabe (1823 - 1901), an American farmer and abolitionist who played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, helping to guide escaped slaves to freedom.

Overall, the surname Mabe has a rich history spanning several centuries, with its roots firmly planted in England and connections to various regions and notable individuals throughout its evolution.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Mabe

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

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 Mabe was:

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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Mabe has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Mabe was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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