Daily AncestorAbby
Abby was a common nickname for Abigail or Tabitha in American records of the 1700s and 1800s.
Abby is the usual short form of Abigail. Nickname lists for the 18th and 19th centuries also give Abbie for Tabitha, so check which name the family used.
In a search, try both names. An index may list her only as Abby, while her baptism or marriage record gives Abigail. Because Abby served for more than one name, see which full name the same woman carries in other records.
As seen in a record1850 census; her 1845 marriage record calls her Abigail
Abby Ashdown, 24, F, Va.
Sources
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Abby." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/nicknames/abby. Last checked 2026-10-15.