What was the name of the Brontës' longtime servant?

The Brontës’ longtime servant was Tabitha Ackroyd, commonly known as “Tabby.” She joined the Brontë household in Haworth in 1824, when she was about 53, and remained connected with the family for more than 30 years.

Tabby cooked, cleaned, and cared for the children after their mother’s death. She also entertained them with local Yorkshire stories, legends, and folklore, helping relieve the isolation of life at the Haworth parsonage. Charlotte later remembered her as being almost like a member of the family.

Her surname is also frequently spelled “Aykroyd,” including in some modern Brontë references. “Ackroyd” refers to the same historical servant and is a defensible variant rather than a different person. Tabby’s role is sometimes confused with that of Martha Brown, another Brontë servant who joined the household later.