The Abell name has no doubt evolved from an original occupation or trade. Although the origin is unclear, and to whom it was attributed, it would appear to be connected to a bell maker as opposed to Abel, the most common adaptation. The earliest record we have is that of Thomas Abell, who was Chaplain to Katherine of Aragon, divorced Queen of King Henry VIII who imprisoned him in the Beauchamp Tower in 1534. As the Abell family are still farming in the County of Hereford, reliable records kept are accessible and citations are in the early part of this book. The story tells of Thomas Richard who, as a 10-year-old lad, emigrated from England with his father Thomas and three siblings to take up land near Boonah, in the Fassifern district.