Rab

Origin

Rab is a British surname of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name Rob, meaning "bright fame" or "famous". It is a diminutive form of the name Robert, which was introduced to Scotland by Normans in the early Middle Ages.

Distribution

The surname Rab is relatively rare, with the highest concentration found in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Aberdeenshire, Glasgow, and the Highlands. It is also found in smaller numbers in England and other parts of the United Kingdom.

Notable Individuals

One notable individual with the surname Rab is John Rab, a Scottish entrepreneur who established a successful textile business in the 19th century. Another prominent figure is Emily Rab, a talented artist known for her landscape paintings in the early 20th century.

Variants

Variations of the surname Rab include Rabb, Rabbet, and Rabbie. These variants may have evolved over time due to regional dialects and spelling variations.

Coat of Arms

The Rab family crest features a shield with symbolic elements such as lions, stars, and crosses, reflecting the heritage and values associated with the surname.

Legacy

Although the surname Rab may not be widely recognised today, it holds a unique place in British genealogy and history. Families with this surname can trace their ancestry back to the medieval era, and their contributions to various fields have left a lasting impact on British society.

There are approximately 152 people named Rab in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Rab.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Abdul
  • Abdur
  • Lawrence
  • Mahbubur
  • Michael
  • Mike
  • Mohammad
  • Mohammed
  • Nawaz
  • Shah
  • Syed
  • Yusuf

Female

  • Adrienn
  • Andrea
  • Audrey
  • Malgorzata
  • Nancy
  • Noorjahan
  • Philippa
  • Shana
  • Sultana
  • Suzanne

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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