The English surname Abbott, also found in Scotland and Ireland, is derived from the Middle English term abbott meaning “abbot” (Old English abbod) or the Old French term abet meaning “priest.” Both the Old English and the Old French term are derived from Late Latin abbas meaning “priest”, from Greek abbas, from Aramaic aba  meaning  “father.” This was an occupational name for someone employed in the household of or on the lands of an abbot, and perhaps also a nickname for a sanctimonious person thought to resemble an abbot. Early recording examples include Walter Abat, in the Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire in 1219, and Elizabeth Abbet, who married Henry Waterman at the church of St Lawrence Poutney, London, on January 11th 1600. George Abbot (1562 - 1633) was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1611, whilst Elizabeth Abbitt was recorded as 'living in Virginea, over the river' on February 16th 1623, making her one of America's earliest colonists. The original Coat of Arms for the name has the blazon of a red field, a gold chevron between three golden pears. 

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