Show ContentsAshberey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Ashberey name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Ashbourne, Derbyshire; in Ashburnham, Sussex; or in Ashburton, Devon. 1

Early Origins of the Ashberey family

The surname Ashberey was first found in Derbyshire, at Ashbourne, a market town in the Derbyshire Dales now famous for its historic annual Shrovetide football match. The first record was found in the Domesday Book where it was listed as Esseburne, having derived from the Old English aesc + burna, meaning "stream where the ash-trees grow." 2

The name dates back to pre-Domesday Book times, when it was known as Aescburnan in 1008. 3

"There can be little no doubt, however, that the Ashburnhams have been seated at Ashburnham from the reign of Henry II, and probably from a much earlier period, and are descended from Bertram, Constable of Dover in the reign or William the Conqueror. " 4

"The manor [of Ashburnham in Sussex], with the exception only of a few years, has been from a time anterior to the Conquest in the continued possession of the noble family of Ashburnham, whose mansion-house here is beautifully situated, and surrounded by a fine park. The church, situated behind Ashburnham House, is a neat cruciform edifice in the decorated English style, with a tower; the south transept contains a gallery for the family, and in the north are handsome monuments to William and John Ashburnham, and their wives." 5

Sifting through early rolls, we found Robert de Assheboume in Devon in 1311 and years later, John de Ascheburn in Yorkshire in 1349. 3

Early History of the Ashberey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ashberey research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1603, 1604, 1628, 1638, 1639, 1659, 1660, 1671, 1679, 1682, 1685, 1689, 1697, 1720 and 1842 are included under the topic Early Ashberey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ashberey Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Ashberey were recorded, including Ashburnham, Asbury, Astbury, Ashburner, Ashbourn, Ashburn, Ashburnam, Ashburham, Ashbourne and many more.

Early Notables of the Ashberey family

Distinguished members of the family include John Ashburnham (1603-1671), an English courtier, diplomat, politician and an attendant on the King, he managed to regain his ancestral estate of Ashburnham in 1639; and his younger brother, William Ashburnham (ca. 1604-1679), an English army officer; and Sir Denny Ashburnham, 1st Baronet (c 1628-1697), an English landowner and politician, Member of Parliament for Hastings (1660-1679) and (1685-1689.) Joseph Ashbury (1638-1720), was an English actor and theatrical manager. "Born in London in 1638, he was of good family, educated at Eton, and entered...
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ashberey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ashberey family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Ashberey family emigrate to North America: Edward Ashburham, settled in Virginia in 1653; Francis Ashborn settled in Virginia in 1635; Joseph Ashburn arrived in Annapolis in 1724; William Ashburne settled in Virginia in 1773. In Newfoundland, two brothers were captured by pirates and landed in Newfoundland, and many more..



  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  5. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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