According to E. De Felice, surnames such as Abate, Abbate, Abati, Abatino, Abatangelo, Abbatangelo, Labate, Labbate, Dell'Abate, together with numerous related forms and variants, derive from the Italian term abate or abbate, meaning “abbot.” Originally, the word referred to the superior of an autonomous monastery and, by extension, to members of the clergy or religious figures of authority and prestige.

These surnames may have originated as occupational or honorific names, identifying a person associated with ecclesiastical functions, or as family names indicating a connection with an abbot, prelate, or clerical household. This origin is reflected in several compound forms, including Abatematteo (“Abbot Matteo”), Abaterusso (“the red-haired abbot”), and Abatescianni (“Abbot Scianni,” with Scianni being a dialectal form of Gianni).

In Northern Italy, particularly in Piedmont, variants such as Abà, Abbà, and Labà reflect regional pronunciation. In popular usage, these forms could also refer figuratively to the person who presided over festivities or led dances during community celebrations. While most surnames of this group are especially common in Southern Italy, several forms are also found in Central Italy, whereas the dialectal variants are concentrated in the North.

De Felice also notes that these surnames may be written with either a single b or a double bb, depending on local tradition, dialectal influences, and historical spelling variations.