Save Type Surname (from occupation) Usage Galician Pronounced Pron. /a.βe.ˈʎej.ɾa̝/ [key·simplify] Meaning & History Means "beehive, apiary" in Galician, either used as an occupational name for a beekeeper or a habitational name for someone from any of various places in Galicia called Abelleira (derived from the same word).