Show ContentsAskely History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Askely family

The surname Askely was first found in North Yorkshire at Aislaby, a hamlet and civil parish near the town of Pickering. The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Asuluesbi. 1

The place name literally means "farmstead or village of a man called Asulfr," from the Old Scandinavian personal name + "by." 2

"There was anciently a chapel dedicated to St. Thomas the Martyr, which was founded by William de Aslakby (now Aislaby) and Agnes his wife, in 1313." 3

Aislaby is also a village and civil parish in the Scarborough district and finally Aislaby is a small village and civil parish on the north bank of the River Tees within the borough of Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham. Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands and village of Aislaby, held by Richard Surdeval, a Norman noble, who was recorded in the Domesday Book.

Early History of the Askely family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Askely research. Another 167 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1487, 1510, 1564, 1600, 1670, 1674, 1699 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Askely History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Askely Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Askely were recorded, including Aislaby, Aislakby, Aislackby, Aslakeby, Aislabie, Aslaby and many more.

Early Notables of the Askely family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Aislabie (1670-1742), English statesman and politician, was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, York, 7 Dec. 1670. "He was the fourth son of George Aislabie, principal registrar of the archiepiscopal court of York, by his second wife, Mary. His father...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Askely Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Askely family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Askely arrived in North America very early: John Aislabee, who settled in Massachusetts in 1692.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook