Asperay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Asperay family

The surname Asperay was first found in Cheshire at Astbury, a parish, chiefly in the union of Congleton, consisting of the townships of Eaton and Somerford-Booths in the hundred of Macclesfield. 1

This parish dates back to 1093 (shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066) when it was known as Astbury and literally meant "east manor or stronghold." 2 However, another source claims the parish meant "east castle or fort." 3

Early rolls show that William de Astbury was listed here in Cheshire in the Assize Rolls of 1287. 4

Early History of the Asperay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Asperay research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1688, 1690, 1720 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Asperay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Asperay Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Asperay include Astbury, Astbry, Astbrey, Asprey, Aspry, Astbray, Astburie and many more.

Early Notables of the Asperay family

Distinguished members of the family include John Astbury (1688-1743), an English potter credited with innovations and improvements in earthenware associated with Staffordshire figures. He "introduced himself disguised as an idiot to the wworks of two brothers named Elers, of NÃ¼rnberg, who had settled at Bradwell, Staffordshire, about 1690. He discovered the secrets of their manufacture of red ware, and, obtaining his discharge on pretence of sickness, set up a rival establishment at Shelton...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Asperay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Asperay family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Asperay or a variant listed above: Henry Aspray, who settled in Virginia in 1666; Thomas W. Astbury, who was naturalized in Philadelphia in 1877; and John and Edward Catherton Astbury, who were recorded in Sacramento County, California between 1866 and 1871..

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)