Surname Ashby - Meaning and Origin

Ashby Ancestry Unveiled: Discovering Germanic, Viking, Celtic and Jewish Links through iGENEA DNA Testing

My journey with iGENEA DNA testing has been an enlightening exploration into my Ashby lineage. What seemed a standard English heritage presented surprising turns, leading to a weave of cultures and histories. From Germanic roots to Viking connections, Celtic ties, and increased likelihood of Jewish roots, my ancestry tapestry is richer than imagined.

Y. Ashby

Ashby: What does the surname Ashby mean?

The surname Ashby is of English origin, derived from a place name and meaning "ash tree farm" or "settlement". The name is composed of two Old English elements: "æsc", meaning ash tree, and "by", meaning farm or settlement. Therefore, it was likely originally given to individuals who lived in or near an ash tree grove or a location known for ash trees. There are several places in England with the name Ashby, including in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Suffolk. Often, such place name derived surnames were used to identify individuals who migrated from one place to another, becoming known by the name of their original hometown. Due to its origins, the surname Ashby can offer some historical and geographical context regarding the ancestral roots of those who bear it. Professional genealogy research may help an individual bearing this surname to trace back specific family aspects through history and regions, potentially providing a profound understanding of family heritage.

Ashby: Where does the name Ashby come from?

The last name Ashby is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a place name, meaning "farm among the ash trees" in Old Norse. It was first used by inhabitants of various places in England named "Ashby". It became a means of identification, distinguishing between people bearing the same personal or first name, and thus began to be passed down through generations.

Variations of the name Ashby include Ashbie, Ashbee, and Ashberry among others. The earliest recorded spelling of the family name is found as “Asebi” in the Domesday Book, dated 1086.

Today, Ashby is a common last name in English-speaking countries, particularly in England, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In the US, for example, it is ranked as the 1,437th most common surname. Although Ashby is found throughout these countries, it is often more concentrated in certain areas. For instance, in England, it is notably prevalent in the East Midlands region. Thus, like many surnames, Ashby provides a fascinating glimpse into geographical and cultural history.

Variations of the surname Ashby

The surname Ashby generally originates from Scandinavian, particularly from old Norse and old Danish influence in British Isles. The name is generally considered to be locational and topographical, deriving from a numerous places named Ashby found primarily in the counties of Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk in England.

Many variations and spellings of the surname Ashby have been found, especially in ancient scripts due to phonetic spelling before standardization of English spelling in recent centuries. Some of these variations and spellings include Asby, Ashbie, Asbie, Aschby, Aschbie, and Ashbey.

Several patronymic variations also exist, where names were often formed by appending a prefix or suffix to the original surname. This could include a form like "Ashbyson" or "Ashby's son".

The surname also includes many compound or double-barreled names, where it is combined with another surname, such as Ashby-Smith or Ashby-Jones.

Despite the numerous spellings and variations, the underlying origin generally remains the same, deriving from the locational term "Ashby" which is commonly interpreted to mean "Ash Tree Farm" from old Norse and old Danish languages. The surname eventually became widespread across the British Isles and later disseminated further via emigration to countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Famous people with the name Ashby

• Hal Ashby: An influential American film director of the 1970s.
• Linden Ashby: An American actor and martial artist, known for his role in the soap opera "Melrose Place."
• John Ashby: A historic British admiral during the late 17th century.
• Phil Ashby: A British author and former Royal Marines officer who was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal.
• Irwin Ashby: Former West Indian cricketer.
• Cameron Ashby: an Australian swimmer who participated in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
• George Ashby: A famous 15th century British poet and antiquarian.
• Michael Ashby: An Australian-British engineer and academic, known for his work in materials science and engineering.
• Matthew Ashby: A pioneering Australian architect in the 19th century.
• Turner Ashby: A Confederate cavalry general during the American Civil War.
• Shirley Ashby: A former Australian cricketer.
• Edythe Ashby: An American actress known for her work in silent films.
• Ted Ashby: A New Zealand sailor and boat builder, famous for the scow bearing his name.
• Ryan Ashby: An Australian professional footballer.
• Will Ashby: An English cricketer who played for Derbyshire.
• Doris Ashby: An English pianist and composer.

Other surnames

AshbarryAshbaughAshbawAshberryAshberyAshboltAshboughAshburyAshbyll