Last name: Ashby

This is a locational name which derives from one of the several places in England called Ashby or from residence at a farm (byr) amongst ash trees or owned by one called "Ash". In this case "Ash" is a personal name which like "byr" or "by" is of Norse-Viking origins, from the pre 9th Century period. The name is frequently found in the Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and East Midlands region, an area which was long under Norse influence. In the modern idiom the name has four variant spellings; Ashby, Ashbe, Ashbee, and Ashbey. One group of Ashby's trace their ancestry back to William de Ashby (1240 - 1299) Lord of the Manor of Ashby Magna, Leicester, whilst George Ashby (circa 1475) was Clerk to King Henry VI. Sir John Ashby (deceased 1693) was Admiral of the Blue and fought at Bantry Bay in 1668. Examples of church recordings include Jacob Ashbee, the son of William and Anne, who was christened at Rochester, Kent on April 10th 1660, and John Ashbee, a witness at Herne Bay, Kent on July 13th 1794. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert de Aschebi, which was dated 1200, in the Court of Pleas, Norfolk, during the reign of King John, nicknamed "Lackland", 1199 - 1216. 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.

Visitor Comments

Mata
Hi am wondering where I can obtain informaiton on the original Ashby, if there is such information. My links to Ashbys, is from 1780 of a James Ashby of West Farliegh Kent. Im trying trace them back before James.

Keith Ashby
Hi Mata I am searching for my JAMES ASHBY from Kent do you have any links with CANTERBURY MARGATE ASHFORD OR TUNBRIDGE WELLS Thanks

Louise Ashby
HI Keith & Mata Iam trying to trace to Ashbys, My Ashby is Charles Ashby born in Boughton Monchelsea Kent, 1814. Could he be any relation to your James. Look forward to hearing from you

ruth conner (connor)
there are Ashbys from Pike County Indiana. That was my great grandmother's name. Celestine Ashby Green and had a daughter Ida Florence Green Connor who was married to Thomas Connor born of Ellen Muvehill Connor(roscommon) and James Connor from Northern Ireland. They are buried in Oakland City Indiana, Gibson County in Montgomery Cemetery.

Ginger
I have Ashby's too my Mother was one,my niece and nephew have alot of history let me know if I can help

Nick Ashby
My Ashby's Watford Herfordshire England and surrounding towns & villages

ms toni m Langley
Hi just found your page and i have Ashbys in my line to my gt gt grandmother was a Florance Ashby married Langley in Henfield sussex Florance was a music teacher

Mel Ashby
My Ashby is also Watford, Herts - there you go!