Abbotin

Abbotin is not an actual animal, it is a misspelling of abbot, which is an ecclesiastical title given to the male head of a monastery in various Western religious traditions, including Christianity.

An abbot is derived from the Aramaic word for “father” and has the authority to rule the monastery in both temporal and spiritual matters.
He is elected by the monks of the monastery and confirmed by the Holy See or another designated authority.

He has some privileges similar to a bishop, such as celebrating the liturgy according to pontifical rite and using the pontifical insignia.

There are also female equivalents of abbots, called abbesses, who are the heads of monasteries for women.

The title of abbot originated in the monasteries of Egypt and Syria and spread through the eastern Mediterranean.
It was restored by St.Benedict of Nursia in his rule for monastic life in the 6th century.

Some famous abbots in history include:

• St.Bernard of Clairvaux, who founded the Cistercian order and influenced the Second Crusade;
• St.Anselm of Canterbury, who was a philosopher and theologian; and Thomas Merton, who was a writer and mystic.
  Abbott is also a surname that may derive from the title of abbot or from a nickname for someone who resembled an abbot.

Some notable people with this surname include:

• Tony Abbott, former prime minister of Australia;
• Berenice Abbott, a photographer;
• Bud Abbott, a comedian.