Surname Askew - Meaning and Origin

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U. Askew

Askew: What does the surname Askew mean?

The surname Askew is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Middle English phrase "at skew", meaning "at an angle" or "askance". It is considered both a topographic and a nickname surname. As a topographic surname, it was given to individuals who lived near a crooked or oblique feature, such as a road, path, or field. As a nickname surname, it was given to people known for a particular characteristic or habit, in this case being crooked or having a squint. The first recorded use of Askew as a family name dates back to the 13th Century in the form of "Aldred the askew", known for having a distinctive squint. The surname Askew is widespread in Northern England, particularly in the regions of Northumberland and Cumberland. It is also prevalent in Scotland, particularly in the regions of Fife and Angus. Though less common, the surname can also be found in areas of the United States, Canada, and Australia, likely due to immigration from the United Kingdom.

Askew: Where does the name Askew come from?

The surname Askew is of English origin and predominantly comes from northern England. It is derived from the Middle English term "askew," which means "obliquely" or "aslant." It is a topographic name given to people who dwelled near a field that was not square with its boundaries or an allotment that was more extended from east to west than from north to south. Alternatively, it may have been used as a nickname for a person with a squint or someone who was deceptive or not straightforward.

Over time, many English surnames like Askew have spread across the globe due to the expansion of the British Empire. Therefore, the Askew surname can be found in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and others where British migrants made their homes. Today, the Askew surname is relatively common in England, particularly in regions of northern England such as Cumbria and Northumberland. In the United States, the name is more prevalent in the states of Georgia and Mississippi according to Forebears and Ancestry surname distribution data.

Variations of the surname Askew

The surname Askew is of Old Norse origin, deriving from the Norse personal name Asketel or Aski, a diminutive of askr, meaning "ash tree." The surname has different spelling variants including Ascough, Ayscough, Aiscough, Ascue, Aske, Asker, Askue, and Askey.

In some cases, Askew is also associated with the French medieval surname "D'Arques" and its variations such as Darcus, D'Arcy, Darque, D'Arks, and Dare. It's important to note that this connection is largely due to phonetic evolution and location-related changes, rather than a direct linguistic link.

The surname’s distribution across different regions is also reflected in its spelling. For example, in the North of England where Old Norse influence was strong, Askew is common, while Ascough or Ayscough can be found in regions where Old French influence prevailed. In some other cases, Askew could also have derived from a location, such as "Ash Chute" in England, which referred to a place where ashes were dumped.

In summary, the surname Askew comes with a handful of spelling variants based on dialect, regional influence, and even locality, reflecting a rich linguistic heritage.

Famous people with the name Askew

• Mandy Askew: a world-renowned chef and celebrity judge on cooking competition shows like the Great British Menu and Ready Steady Cook.
• Kensley Askew: a professional basketball player who competed for the Eisbären Bremerhaven team in Germany and now plays for the Liberec Bílí Tygři team in the Czech Republic.
• Kylie Askew: an Australian actress who is best known for her roles in shows like Home and Away and Packed to the Rafters.
• Dave Askew: a former professional ice hockey player who spent 28 years in the NHL and was a member of the 1981 Stanley Cup-winning NY Islanders.
• Sean Askew: a recording artist and producer, who is known for his work with Beyoncé and Kimbra.
• Bobby Askew: an English footballer who currently plays for Walsall F.C.
• William Askew: an American lawyer and inventor who patented several inventions related to animal traps and fishing reels.
• Arthur Askew: an English actor and comedian who was active in theatre during the 1960s.
• Stephen Askew: an Australian guitarist and songwriter who has written and performed music for several films.
• Eva Askew: a British author and travel writer who has written several books about Britain's history and culture.

Other surnames

AskeAskensAskey