Show ContentsAinscow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Ainscow family

The surname Ainscow was first found in the county of Cumberland, however some of the family were found at Aughton in the East Riding of Yorkshire in early times.

"The church [of Aughton], the chancel of which was rebuilt in 1839, has a low embattled tower, built by Christopher, son of the unfortunate Robert Aske who was beheaded at York in the reign of Henry VIII., 1537, as a principal in the insurrection called the "Pilgrimage of Grace," occasioned by the suppression of the monasteries. On the chancel floor is a fine brass slab, on which are graven the effigies of Richard Aske and his lady, who died in the fifteenth century. Near the east bank of the river Derwent the moats and trenches of an ancient castle are still visible; and in the vicinity of the church is a large mound of earth, the site of the castellated mansion of the Aske family." 1

Eske is a township, in the parish of St. John, Beverley, union of Beverley, N. division of the wapentake of Holderness, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. "This place, in Domesday Book Asche, derives its name from the British word signifying water. It was given at an early period to the collegiate church of St. John." 1

Early History of the Ainscow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ainscow research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1438, 1450, 1521, 1540, 1546, 1550, 1558, 1590, 1596, 1616, 1618, 1619, 1624, 1641, 1650, 1654, 1659, 1668, 1671, 1685, 1689, 1699, 1774 and 1911 are included under the topic Early Ainscow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ainscow Spelling Variations

The name Ainscow, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Askey, Aske, Askew, Aiscough, Ayscoghe, Asker, Ayscough, Aiskey and many more.

Early Notables of the Ainscow family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Anne Askew (1521-1546), English poet and Protestant who was condemned as a heretic, the only woman to have been both tortured in the Tower of London and burnt at the stake; William Ayscough (or Aiscough), (died 1540), Bishop of Salisbury (1438-1450); Edward Ayscough (died 1558), cup-bearer to Henry VIII; Edward Ayscough (of Nuthall) (c.1590- c.1641), Member of Parliament for Stamford in 1624; Edward Ayscough (1596-c. 1654), Member of Parliament for Lincoln and Lincolnshire; Edward Ayscough (c.1618-1668), English Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby in 1659; Edward...
Another 96 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ainscow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ainscow family

The New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Ainscow family, or who bore a variation of the surname Ainscow were William Askew who settled in Virginia in 1623; Thomas in the same State in 1635; John settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts about the time of the ".



The Ainscow Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fac et spera
Motto Translation: Do and hope.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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