This very interesting surname was originally derived from the Old French "Gab", a word introduced by the Normans after 1066, and retaining its modern meaning, the original form of being "one who was a loud talker!". The modern name spelling is in effect a double diminutive which translates as "the son of Gabb's son". The current spelling includes Gabbitas, Gabbetis and Gabbott. The name development also incuding Jane Gabitis (1573), Dorothea Gabbatus (1639), Eliza Gabbetus (1682). Recordings of the variants from the English church registers include; Jane Gabbatis, who married Richard Hogg on April 12th 1573, at St. Botolph Bishopsgate; and Marie, daughter of Alice Gabbatus was christened on July 14th 1617, at Howden, Yorkshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Richard Gabeitus, which was dated 1567, married Elizabeth Rawlinson at St. Margaret's, Westminster, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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