This is an occupational name deriving from the Olde Norse "aska" meaning "ashes", plus a derivative of "brenna", to burn. Hence, the "ash-burner". The name was originally chiefly found in the English Lake district where charcoal was manufactured to be used in the iron smithies of the middle ages. The surname from this source is first recorded in the latter half of the 13th Century. In 1332, a Robert Askbrinner appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumbria. The spelling Asborner is recorded in Sussex (1332) and Ascheburner in Yorkshire (1532). In 1545 one, John Ashburaner was baptised in St. Mary's Ulverston (Cumbria). A William Ashburner of Cartmell is recorded in the Lancashire Wills (1696) and in 1680 one, William Ashburner appears on the List of Landowners in the Barbados. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert le Askebrenner. which was dated 1278, The Assize Court Rolls of Lancashire. during the reign of King Edward I, The Hammer of the Scots, 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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