Show ContentsNashy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Nashy is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a in one of the various settlements called Ash in Derbyshire, Surrey, Hampshire, and many other places. The surname Nashy is also derived from residence near an ash tree. 1 Another source claims that the name could have been derived from the Gaelic "naisg," which means "made fast, bound, protected" 2

"It must not be forgotten, however, that there are localities called Nash, in cos. Salop, Bucks, Monmouth, &c. Yet some of these were originally called Ash. The ville of Esse or Ash, co. Oxford, was corrupted (changed) to Nashe, temp. Richard H. Dunkin's Oxfordshire i. 177." 1

Early Origins of the Nashy family

The surname Nashy was first found in Worcestershire, where William atte Nasche was recorded in 1301. While most of the family hailed from Worcestershire, we also found Agnes ate Nasse in Oxfordshire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The Writs of Parliament list William atte Nasche, c. 1300. Hugh atte Nash was the rector of Wexham in 1397 and R. Nasshe owned land in Haddenham in 1487. 3

"Nash is an old Worcestershire name, the family of Nash of St. Peter's, Droitwich, dating back to the 16th century. Nash was the name of a Worcester alderman in 1590 and of the mayor of that city in 1633." 4

Early History of the Nashy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Nashy research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1377, 1379, 1380, 1381, 1383, 1394, 1395, 1400, 1590, 1593, 1626, 1640, 1647, 1648, 1661, 1730, 1740, 1742, 1777 and 1786 are included under the topic Early Nashy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Nashy Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Nashy has appeared include Nash, Naish, Nashe and others.

Early Notables of the Nashy family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Richard Nash or Ash (died 1394/1395), of Hereford, was an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Hereford in 1377, 1379, 1380, 1381 and 1383; and his son, James Nash or Ash (died 1400), of Hereford, was an English politician; John Nash (1590-1661), an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1640 and 1648, supporter of the Parliamentary...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Nashy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Nashy family to Ireland

Some of the Nashy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Nashy family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Nashy arrived in North America very early: Gregory Nash, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630; Anne Nash settled in Virginia in 1635; along with Edward her husband; John, Margaret, Mary, Sarah Nash all settled in Virginia in 1663.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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