Abse

Abse is a surname of Welsh origin. It is primarily found in Wales and among Welsh communities abroad, and it is best known today for its association with the Welsh writer Dannie Abse.

Dannie Abse was a Welsh poet, novelist, and physician who wrote in English and became a notable figure in modern Welsh literature. His work spans poetry, memoir, and drama, and it often engages with themes such as identity, family, urban life, and social change, blending Welsh literary traditions with contemporary sensibilities.

The exact etymology of the surname Abse is not clearly documented in widely available reference works. It is treated as a family name rather than a given name, with its usage concentrated in Wales and among the Welsh diaspora. Like many Welsh surnames, it may have multiple historical origins or variants that have evolved over time, but a single, universally agreed origin is not established.

In literary and cultural discussions, the surname Abse is associated primarily with the generation of writers who contributed to Anglo-Welsh and Jewish Welsh literature in the 20th century. The name remains relatively uncommon, and Dannie Abse is the most widely cited bearer in reference to the surname.