Hello: I have rabelo in my family back in the late 17th century; but according to my records spelled with "v". Somebody here in Miami told me that the name originated, or so it seems, in Italy were there is -- or was a town of that name. Nicolas Cepero y Perez de Bullones, n. Habana 1676; married in 1706 Margarita Ravelo y Doria. Notice that Doria might also be Italian. Marta