Frequency: (204)
(number of times this surname appears in a sample database of 88.7 million names, representing one third of the 1997 US population)
1. Catalan (Sàbat): from a nickname or personal name bestowed on someone born on a Saturday, which was considered a good omen (Late Latin sabbatum, Greek sabbaton, from Hebrew shabat ‘Sabbath’).
2. Jewish (Ashkenazic): ornamental name from German Sabbat ‘Sabbath’.
3. French: nickname for a noisy, rowdy person, from Middle French sab(b)at ‘noise’, ‘racket’.
GIVEN NAMES: Spanish 5%; French 4%. Jose (3), Juanita (2), Eduardo, Jorge, Ofelia; Georges.
See the Key to the Dictionary or consult the General Introduction for further explanation.
