Surname Askin - Meaning and Origin

Askin: What does the surname Askin mean?

The surname Askin is derived from the Old Norse words ‘askr’ meaning ‘ash tree,’ and ‘kin’ meaning ‘family.’ It is considered a habitational name, belonging to a person who lived in or near an ash tree. This surname would have been particularly important to communities in northern Europe before the spread of Christianity as the ash tree was an important symbol in Norse mythology.

One of the most prominent features in Norse mythology is the World Tree Yggdrasil, a giant ash tree with branches that stretched all the way into the heavens, connecting the nine realms of Gods, Elves, Dwarves, Men, and Giants. Not only was Yggdrasil the source of all life, it was also a symbol of strength and wisdom, and a reminder of the cyclic nature of life in which the passing of information and knowledge between the generations formed an integral part.

The surname Askin was likely a way for families to remember their connection with the tree, to honor the divine and spiritual, and to leave an inheritance of wisdom for generations that followed. It was also a nod to their story of identity, of their roots in Norse culture. Today, Askin is still a common surname in Ireland, Scotland, Scandinavia, and Germany, preserving its shared heritage and importance of tree symbolism for families even in the present.

Askin: Where does the name Askin come from?

The Askin surname is a predominantly Irish surname, and is most commonly found in Ireland and North America. The name originated from the Gaelic surname O'Sceachain, meaning 'hawk-like'. In Irish the name is spelled Oscechain.

In Ireland, the Askin surname originates from County Kilkenny, and the descendants of this family spread to Ireland's other provinces, such as Munster, Ulster, and Leinster.

In the United States, the Askin family was among the earliest immigrant waves to arrive from Ireland. The majority of those who arrived are thought to have been Protestant. They arrived in Pennsylvania and moved southward to Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.

In Canada, the Askin surname also arrived early, during the years of British rule. The majority of the Askin family arriving in Canada were Protestants. In Eastern Canada, most Askins arrived in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In Eastern and Central Canada, many Askins arrived in Ontario.

Today, the Askin surname is still common in both Ireland and North America, and traces of it can also be found in Australia. For those with Irish heritage, conducting research on the past may help to uncover where the Askin family roots lie. Alternatively, those with this name are encouraged to join social and genealogical organizations to connect with distant relatives.

Variations of the surname Askin

The surname Askin can have multiple variants and spellings, including: Askins, Askins’, Aiskin, Aiskeen, Askeen, Askine, Eskine, Eskyn, Esken, Aescin, Ascine, Askene, and Askyn. All of these variations of the surname appear to have a common origin.

The original Scottish form of the name Askin came from a locality in the county of Angus. It derived from a Gaelic word meaning “ashes” or “ash tree.” This surname was mostly found in the areas of Lanarkshire and Ayrshire in Scotland.

The form of the name Askeen, with two esses, was found mainly in the Ulster province of Ireland. This surname originated from the Irish word asca, meaning “aspen tree.”

The variant Aiskin was also found in Scotland, most likely originating in the same location in Angus as the original Askin. This form of the name is thought to have come from the Gaelic escoirean, meaning "little ash tree.”

In some cases, the names Eskine, Esken, and Eskyn have been used interchangeably with the others. These may have arisen from a mispronunciation or merging of two variants, as escoirean and asca both contain the same middle two syllables.

In summary, the surname Askin has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Askins, Askins’,Aiskin, Aiskeen, Askeen, Askine, Eskine, Eskyn, Esken, Aescin, Ascine, Askene, and Askyn. All of these variations trace their roots to Scotland or Ireland.

Famous people with the name Askin

• Max Askin: He's an American actor and a member of the improv and sketch comedy group called Mission IMPROVable.
• Ahmet Askin: Known as the founder of the Askin Music Academy, Ahmet is a Turkish classical composer and conductor.
• Bruce Askin: A Canadian painter, sculptor and printmaker, Bruce's works are on display in major museums around the world.
• Cheryl Askin: Cheryl is the founder of the Askin Education Group, a nonprofit organization promoting learning and enrichment for students in underserved communities.
• Tyler Askin: Tyler is an American businessman and entrepreneur known for his work in the technology and finance sectors.
• Stephen Askin: Stephen is an American film director and writer who has written and produced numerous films for major studios.
• Victor Askin: Victor is a Russian painter.
• Chris Askin: Chris is an American jazz musician and composer.
• David Askin: David is a British-American archaeologist and academic.
• Emmy Askin: Emmy Askin is an Australian Paralympic cyclist.

Other surnames

AskieAskins