Surname Abeling - Meaning and Origin

Abeling: What does the surname Abeling mean?

The last name Abeling is of German origin and is derived from a place name written in old German as Apeling. It was common for people to take the name of the place they came from most likely as a descriptor of where they came from. This would explain why the last name Abeling is more common in Germany specifically North Rhine/Westphalia where the place Apeling is located.

The meaning of the word "Apeling" is derived from two words; "Apel" and "-ing". "Apel" is a variation of the word Appel meaning apple in English and "-ing" is a suffix used to indicate belonging to or relating to something. Therefore, the name Abeling translates to “of the apple tree” or “apple orchard.”

Historical records of the family name abeling have been found in documents as far back as 1685 for Andreas Abeling in Kaiserslautern, Germany. During this same period, the Abeling family was primarily involved in agriculture and trading. It is fitting that this same family name would owe its origin to a place name relating to apples.

It can be seen that the Abeling family name is quite ancient. Fortunately for those with the Abeling last name, it's meaning is likely tied to fertile land filled with apple orchards. This meaning likely brings many members of the family name pride in their last name even hundreds of years later.

Abeling: Where does the name Abeling come from?

The last name Abeling is most commonly found in Germany today. This surname is quite rare, with an estimated 1,551 people using it across the globe.

In Germany, Abeling is an occupational surname derived from the Middle Low German word “abeling” which means “shepherd”. A shepherd was someone who tended to a herd of sheep and protected it from danger. This is why the last name Abeling is most commonly found in Germany, where it is believed this name originated and the surname was then passed down generations.

The surname Abeling can also be found in other parts of Europe such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. In the Netherlands, the Abeling name is taken from a place name, while in Denmark and Norway, it is derived from a combination of other names such as Abel, Able, and Ableson.

Outside of Europe, some of the places where you may find the last name Abeling include Canada, the United States, and South Africa. In Canada, Abeling can be seen in Saskatchewan, while in the United States, it can be found in 12 states. In South Africa, the surname Abeling is relatively uncommon, however, it is still present.

Overall, the last name Abeling is most commonly found in Germany, but it can also be found in other parts of Europe as well as Canada, the United States, and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Abeling

The German surname Abeling is a variation on the surname Abeling, originating from the Middle Low German ‘abel’ meaning ‘able’. The surname Abeling can also have other variants or spelling such as Abeling, Ablong, Ableing, Abling, Appeling, Apeling, Appeling, Espeling and Ebeling, with some different dialectal variations of spelling.

Other surnames of similar origin include App, Apell, Appel, Apple, Abbel, Abbot, Appelling, Apfel, Aveling, Avaling, Avalling, Aebelen, Ebelingen, and the Dutch variant especially prevalent in Lower Saxony, east Friesland and the border area between the Netherlands and Germany Abelingen.

The surname is particularly common in Germany, especially in the states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein on the North Sea coast, as well as in some parts of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Scandinavia. It is now also found in parts of North America and countries around the world with large German populations such as New Zealand and Argentina.

The Abeling spelling also has variants that have become quite distinct from the original surname, such as Abling, Ablong, or others associated with occupations like Apeling (apple seller), Appeling (brewer), Espeling (woodsman or hunter), and Ebeling (blacksmith).

The variants of the surname Abeling gives us insight into its history, giving us a glimpse into the lives of those who bore it, and the places and occupations they belonged to.

Famous people with the name Abeling

• Chris Abeling: Chris Abeling is a German former professional football midfielder. He is best known for his time playing with Hamburger SV from 2004 to 2010.
• Heather Abeling: Heather Abeling is an American synchronized swimmer who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
• Patricia Abeling: Patricia Abeling is a Dutch freestyle swimmer who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Eric Abeling: Eric Abeling is an American former professional football cornerback who played in the National Football League from 1993 to 1998.
• Myrie Abeling: Myrie Abeling is a Dutch musical director, composer and arranger.
• Jay Abeling: Jay Abeling is a former professional rally and stunt car driver.
• Willie Abeling: Willie Abeling was a Dutch cyclist who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.
• Gina Abeling: Gina Abeling is a German opera singer who held the title of "German Diva" in the GEMA/IVE music publisher's hall of fame.
• Geert Abeling: Geert Abeling was a Dutch long-distance runner who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
• Cynthia Abeling: Cynthia Abeling is a Dutch actress who has appeared in a number of television shows and films.

Other surnames

Abelius