Surname Ascford - Meaning and Origin
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Ascford: What does the surname Ascford mean?
The last name Ascford is primarily a British surname derived from an Old English place name. It is derived from ascent ('a-scant') and ford ('ford'), which refers to a shallow part of a river or stream that can be traversed by wading or on horseback. The combination of the two words indicates that this place was located at a shallow point of a river where one could easily cross.
The name Ascford can take various forms, including Ascford, Asford, and Asforde. It is known to be most popular in England and is primarily concentrated in the East Midlands region. The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the 13th century, with Walter de Aseford being recorded as owning land in Wiltshire in 1274.
It is believed that the name Ascford could have been used by an ancestor of a place located at a shallow point of a river to distinguish themselves from others. Alternatively, it could also have been a nickname given to someone that was known to be able to travel across rivers or streams without the aid of a bridge.
The surname Ascford continues to be found in some form or another in Britain and abroad. While the original meaning of the name may not have been passed down from generation to generation, it is still an interesting part of British history, and many people today may still be able to trace their ancestry to someone who had this surname.
Order DNA origin analysisAscford: Where does the name Ascford come from?
The surname Ascford does not appear to be particularly common in the modern era. It derives primarily from English counties Derby and Lincolnshire, most often from a place name in those counties. The most notable of these is Ascford, a village near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. Its origin is believed to date back to 7th century Old English, with the first recorded individuals bearing the surname likely living in the 13th or 14th century.
With Great Britain's centuries-long history of immigration, emigration, and assimilation of peoples, the surname Ascford is not present in any significant numbers outside of those English counties originally associated with it. Records show that during the 19th century, a handful of individuals bearing it emigrated to America, Australia and elsewhere.
Today, the name Ascford is still relatively uncommon and, at best, can be found in historically rooted English counties -– Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and, to a lesser extent, Nottinghamshire -– as well as the few locations outside England where the name has emigrated. Few people are actively identifying with the surname, as it is not particularly recognisable in the public consciousness. The name Ascford is now an uncommon and primarily historical relic.
Variations of the surname Ascford
There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ascford.
The most common variant of this surname is Ayscough. It is believed to have originated from Lancashire, England, in the 13th century. The original spelling was ‘Ayscg’ which became ‘Ayscough’ by the 16th century.
Other variants of this surname include Ayscough, Askew, Askue, Askwith, Ayscough-Smith, Axford, Axforth, and Askwood.
The Italian variant of this surname is Ascaglia or Axaglia. The Spanish variant is known as Axforth.
The surname Ayscough is also common in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In some cases, the surname has been changed to Askew, Ascough, or Axford over the past few centuries.
One of the most famous people to have the surname Ascford is the British Army officer, Major Frederick Horace Ascford. He was awarded the British Empire Medal for his bravery in the First World War.
The Ascford surname is thought to have originated from the town of Askrigg, which is situated in North Yorkshire. The name is derived from the Old English words ‘ask’ meaning ‘ash tree’ and ‘rigg’ meaning ‘ridge’.
Other variants of this surname include Askue, Ascue, Askew, Assford, and Askwith. It is believed that this surname could have originated from the Latin word ‘ex’ meaning ‘out of’ and ‘ford’ meaning ‘stream’ or ‘river’.
Famous people with the name Ascford
- Gary Ascfords: A professional British boxer, winning multiple golden gloves awards as an amateur.
- Keith Ascfords: A British logician and philosopher. He is affiliated with the think tank ResPublica and is visiting professor in the Universities of Exeter and Westminster.
- Nigel Ascfords: A British lawyer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Served as a High Court Judge in the UK.
- Ed Ascfords: A British Olympic silver-medalist in equestrian events in 2004.
- John Ascfords: A British politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Newbury from 1992 to 2010.
- Brian Ascfords: A British film and television writer and director.
- Stephen Ascfords: A British banker and politician, serving as a member of the Conservative Party in Parliament from 2015 to 2020.
- Cameron Ascfords: A British radio personality and producer, currently working as a co-host on the UK's Jazz FM.
- Evan Ascfords: A British sculptor and artist, working in both stone and bronze, and exhibiting art across the UK.
- Rob Ascfords: A British actor, best known for his role as one of the original cast members of the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders.