Surname Afable - Meaning and Origin
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Afable: What does the surname Afable mean?
The last name Afable is derived from the Spanish word "afable," which means "friendly." It is an occupational name referring to a professional, such as a landowner, who was friendly to his or her tenants and generally amicable in their professional relations. The use of the name likely stems back to Medieval Spain where it was used in the feudal system of Spain.
In its current form, Afable is an extremely rare name and is mainly found in the Philippines. Antolin Afable, the first Afable to come to the United States, came from the Philippines to San Francisco in 1911. It is believed that many Afables currently living in the U.S. are descended from Antolin.
Overall, the name Afable is associated with friendliness and gives the bearer a positive impression. This is likely why the name was chosen — to reflect the friendly and amicable traits of its holder. The fact that it is still used today speaks to how much the characteristics of friendliness and amicability still hold value to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisAfable: Where does the name Afable come from?
The last name Afable is most heavily concentrated in the Philippines, with almost 8,000 people carrying the name in 2005. It is also common in Spain, where it ranks as one of the 100 most common surnames. The origins of this last name are disputed, with some sources pointing to its use as a nickname for someone who was "pleasant to speak to," while others trace the name back to the Spanish word "afable," meaning "gentle."
The name has also spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, where it ranks as one of the top 10,000 common surnames. It is also found in various countries in South America, such as Colombia and Peru, as well as other places in Europe like Poland and France where it is found in small concentrations.
Afable can also be found in other parts of the world, including Canada, Australia, India, and parts of the Middle East, although it is less common in those parts of the world compared to other countries. However, with the increasing globalisation of goods and services, it is likely this name will become even more common in the future.
Variations of the surname Afable
The surname Afable is an ancient Anglo-Norman surname with roots in Spain and France. The name is derived from the Latin word "Afabilis" which translates literally to "kind-hearted". It originates from the 12th century and has shared roots with the surnames Afable and Avila.
Variants of Afable include: Afabley, Aphabill, Afa, Affable, Afablee, Avila, Aviles and Avilla.
Spellings of the surname Afable can vary greatly depending upon when and where it was first used. The most common spelling of Afable in history has been "Afable", but variations can include "Afayble", "Apable", "Ephabill", "Aphablle", "Haphabill" and "Afebill".
Surnames of the same origin for the surname Afable can include: Feel, Fel, Feal, Feay, Fayl, Fael, Fil, Feyal, Fey, Fall, Felle, Feille, Vail, Vayl, Vel, Vaile and Velly.
Over the centuries, the surname Afable has also resulted in some variant spellings of other classic Anglo-Norman surnames such as: Faber, Voyl, Fable and Feable.
Other family names of Spanish or French origin which share similar roots with Afable include: Afan, Avele, Fabella, Fabra, Fabrega, Fabregas, Fabregues, Fabro, Farrill, Figueroa and Fimbres.
Famous people with the name Afable
- Sally Afable: An actress known for her appearances in the films Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
- Bob Afable: An American actor, best known for playing the lovable character of Dad on the television series Full House.
- Joe Afable: A former professional basketball player who played five seasons in the NBA, mainly with the Denver Nuggets.
- Anthony Afable: A professional race car driver, known for his participation in the IndyCar series.
- Abigail Afable: A child-star of the Disney Channel Original Series Raven's Home.
- Chuck Afable: A Grammy Award winning jazz musician and composer.
- Lynn Afable: A Broadway actress, producer, and philanthropist, known for her work in the production of other blockbusters.
- Yolanda Afable: A prominent Filipino singer, known for her hit single “Boholara”.
- Ganoza Afable: A renowned international chef, who has served as the personal chef for Hollywood celebrities such as Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.
- Mariko Afable: An Olympic silver medalist in synchronized swimming, who represented Japan at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.