The name Ann was derived from the Celtic river name 'Anne' meaning 'Ash Tree Stream' (now known as the Pillhill Brook). History shows that he first settlements in the area stretch back to 50BC when the Atrebates cleared the forest and cultivated the land. The village prospered during Roman times, and at the end of Dunkir Lane stands a large Roman Villa was built. Mosaics taken from this villa reside in the British Museum.

Abbotts Ann lies in the valley of the Pillhill Brook, on each side of which the ground rises over chalk hills and downland onto a plateau with minor valleys. The surrounding land is mostly arable and is used mainly to grow cereal crops in rotation with others such as oil seed rape.