Ebenezer was used as a given name by the Puritans.
Abel, Abell, Abells, Abelson, Able, Ableson, Abletson, Ablett, Ablin, Ablott (Eng) Descendant of Abel, Hebrew ‘vapour, smoke,’ used to mean ‘vanity.’ In the Bible Abel is the younger son of Adam and Eve whose offering is pleasing to God. His brother Cain is jealous and kills him.
Abercrombie, Abercromby (Scot) From Abercrombie, a parish in Fife, Scotland, so-named because it is at a confluence of a river, the name of which is based on a Gaelic word meaning ‘crooked,’ found again in surnames such as CAMERON and CAMPBELL.
Aberdeen (Scot) Descendant of someone who originally came from the Scottish town of this name. The earliest meaning of the place name was ‘mouth of the river Don.’
Able, Ableson, Abletson, Ablett, Ablin, Ablott see ABEL.
Ablewhite see APPLEBY.
Abrach (Scot) Descendant of someone who originally came from Lochaber, Scotland.
Abraham, Abrahams, Abrahamson, Abram, Abrams, Abramson (Eng) Descendant of a man called Abraham, a Hebrew name explained in the Old Testament as ‘father of a multitude,’ though Hebrew scholars believe it means ‘the Father loves.’ Abraham was originally called Abram ‘the Father is on high.’ He was the first of the Jewish patriarchs.
Absalom, Absolem, Absolom, Absolon, Ashplant, Aspenlon, Aspland, Asplen, Asplin, Aspling (Eng) Descendant of a man named Absalom, ‘my Father is peace.’ In the Old Testament he is the third son of David and is famous for his beauty and hair. He is eventually killed by Joab when his hair is caught in an oak tree.
Abson see ABBS.
Acheson see ADAM.
Acker, Ackerman, Acreman, Akerman (Eng) Occupational name of a ploughman, worker in a field.
Acket, Acketts, Ackling see HAKE.
Ackroyd, Ackeroyd, Acroyd, Akeroyd, Akroyd, Aykroyd (Eng) A mainly Yorkshire name, indicating someone who lived in a ‘clearing amongst oak trees’.
Acreman see ACKER.
Acroyd see ACKROYD.
Acton (Eng) Someone who came from one of the several places so-named because it was a ‘settlement near oak trees.’
Adam, Acheson, Adames, Adams, Adamson, Adcock, Addey, Addis, Addison, Adds, Addy, Ade, Ades, Adie, Adkin, Aiken, Aitchison, Aitken, Atkin, Atkins, Atkinson (Eng, Scot) Descendant of a man named Adam, from a Hebrew word meaning ‘of red earth.’ The biblical Adam dies at the age of 940. See DUCK.
Adda, Addaf see ABADAM.
Addyman (Eng) Occupational name of Adam’s servant.
Adeane see DEAN.
Afel (Welsh) Probably a form of ABEL.
Agard see HAGGARD.
Agass, Agass, Aggas, Aggis, Aggiss, Aggus, Agus, Aguss (Eng) descendant of Agace (Agatha), Greek ‘good’.
Agate, Agates (Eng) Someone who lived at or near a gate, but descendant of Agatha is also possible.
Aggas see AGASS.
Agget, Aggett, Agg, Agge, Agott (Eng) Descendant of Agnes or Agatha.
Aggis, Aggiss, Aggus see AGASS.
Agnes, Agness (Eng) Descendant of Agnes, Greek ‘good’.
Agus, Aguss see AGASS.
Ahangar see FABER.
Aiken see ADAM.
Ailby see WELBY.
Aimsmith, Ainsmith see SMITH.
Airrless, Arliss, Harliss (Eng) Nickname for an ‘earless’ man, presumably one whose ears were hidden by long hair.
Aish see ASH.
Aitchison, Aitken, Aitkens, Aitkin see ADAM.
Aizlewood see HAZELWOOD.
Akerman see ACKER.
Akeroyd, Akroyd see ACKROYD.
Alabastar, Alabaster, Albisser, Allblaster, Allyblaster, Arblaster (Fre) An arbalest was a cross-bow. The surname could refer to a maker of cross-bows or a soldier who used this weapon.
Alabone see ALBAN.
Alan see ALLEN.
Alban, Alabone, Albon, Albone, Alborn, Allbond, Allbones, Allebone, Alliban, Allibon, Allibone, Aubon (Eng) Descendant of Alban, a Latin name of uncertain meaning. It was the name of the first British martyr.
Albert, Alberts, Albright, Allbred, Allbright, Aubert (Eng) Descendant of a man named Albert, a Germanic name composed of elements meaning ‘noble’ and ‘bright.’
Albisser see ALABASTAR.
Albon, Albone, Alborn see ALBAN.
Albright see ALBERT.
Aldefeld see OLDFIELD.
Aldersmith see SMITH.
Alderson (Eng) Descendant of an ‘older son.’
ALDERTON (Eng) Someone who came from one of the several places so-named because it was the ‘settlement of Aelfweard’s or Ealdhere’s people,’ or because it was a ‘settlement amongst alder trees.’
Aldington (Eng) Someone who came from one of the several places so-named because it was ‘Ealda’s settlement.’
Aled, Allart, Allet, Allett, Allott (Welsh) Resident near the River Aled.
Alefounder, Alfounder (Eng) Occupational name for a man whose task was to inspect and supervise the work of brewers.
He was also known as an ale-conner. Since he was obliged to sample each vessel in which the ale was kept he was likely to show signs of wear after a time. A poem of James I’s reign says:
A
