Last name: Axe

Axe is a locational surname which is of Olde English, pre 10th century origins. It derives from the Ancient British word for a river "Isca" which predates the Roman Invasion of 55 a.d., through the later "aesce" to the medieval "exe or axe." In effect the surname describes one who lived by the Axe Rivers in Somerset or Dorset. The Somerset river is first recorded in the Saxon Chronicles of 712 as the Aesce, the first recording as"Axe" being at the Taunton Assize Courts of 1244, in the reign of Henry 111 (1216 - 1272). However this did not refer to a surname, merely to people who had caused a disturbance at the "Axe." The first church recordings are as shown below, however it is possible that earlier recordings may exist on as yet unpublished charters or land rolls. Examples of the early recordings include Thomas Axe who married Alce Spragott at the village of Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset, on October 20th 1592, whilst on September 9th 1605, John Axe married Ursula Dymond at Martock. The name is also recorded in London, the earliest example being William Axe who married Debora Dudley at the church of St Lawarence Jewry, on November 2nd 1626. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Agnis Axe, which was dated January 19th 1559, who married Thomas Andrewe at North Petherton, Somerset, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess" 1558 - 1603. 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

David Axe
"The first recorded spelling of the family name.....Agnis Axe....January 19th, 1559.." My last name is Axe, but my family comes from Yorkshire (in the north of England)a long way from Somerset! I have traced my family tree back through the centuries to a: Martin Axe born c.1556 (predating your Somerset one) in Royston, Yorkshire (from parish records)

Kate Simpson
My family surname is also Axe, now based in Nottingham it also originated in the Yorkshire area. Family history says its came over with Saxons/Angles.

Lisa Roberts
Been doing my family tree and I have Joseph Machin Axe of Doncaster (d 1862) as my great great grandfather. Seems there are a lot of Axe's in Yorkshire.

Michael Sieberichs-Nau
Dear Lisa Roberts, It seems that your anchestor J. M. Axe is relative to another Joseph Machin born 1892 who married Johanna Dietz in 1914. Do you have any information on the later or on Johanna? Kind regards, Michael Sieberichs-Nau

Gary Axe
My family name is Axe and the majority of my extended family live in the South Elmsall village in Yorkshire. My immediate family moved to Leeds West Yorkshire in 1970. With it being such an unusual surname I have never met an unrelated Axe in the Leeds area.

Michael Sieberichs-Nau
If you are right - I hope you are - that would mean that it could be very easy to find relatives in particular persons dealing with anchestry. Please have a look on my reply above. Kind regards, Michael Sieberichs-Nau

Richard Axe
Dear Michael, as far as I'm aware Joseph and Johanna Dietz both died in Halifax in 1953 and 1969 respectively. They had three children, all of whom died in infancy - Mary Elizabeth, Henry and Joseph Machin. The Axe family in Yorkshire goes back to the fifteenth century at least although it isn't possible to trace an unbroken line. Almost all the Yorkshire Axes are likely to of the same family. I belive that a copy of the marriage certificate for JM and Johanna can be found on the Red1st website.

Travis Axe
Nice to see some other Axes on here. Not very many of us, I was never sure where the name started. Thanks for the info.

Ami Axe
Hello, My name is Ami Axe, I live in South Bend, Indiana ( United Stated) my father's name is James Axe, his biological fathers name is Norman Axe. Most of my family resides is Pennsylvania. Through divorces' and deaths, I have no idea where I came from. If there is only who can possibly help me I would greatly appreciate it. Axe is an unusual name in the mid-west it is more popular on the east coast. My father was born and raised in Lacaster County, PA. Help......