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The ancestors of the Usman family lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Usman was a name given to a an ancient Saxon name which meant warrior of the spear. Ash, another ancient Saxon name meant spear.
"In Anglo-Saxon poetry aesc or ash is constantly used in the sense of spear, because the staff of a spear was usually made of that wood. So the Latin ferrum signifies both iron and sword. Ashman is therefore the equivalent of spearman." 1
"I take it that this name is the same as Asman, Osman, Osmon, Osmund (whence doubtless Houseman, Housman.)" 2
"As the surname is found at Gorleston and in Rochford Hundred (Essex), it may sometimes be an occupation-name." 3
The surname Usman was first found in the county of Wiltshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Ash, in ancient Saxon meant "spear," therefore Ashman was a "spear warrior," " and perchance the same as Assemannus in Domesday Book; compare the place-names Ashmanhaugh, Ashmansworth, compounded with the name of the original tenant. " 4
By the time of the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, the family had scattered throughout early Britain: William Asseman, Suffolk; Peter Asseman, Cambridgeshire; Reginald Assheman, Suffolk; Walter Ascheman, Suffolk; and Henry Asscheman, Suffolk. 5
In Norfolk, early records there show: Nicholas Ashman, bailiff of Yarmouth, 1299; and Robert Ashman, bailiff of Yarmouth, 1316. 6
The singular Asseman, Asman was found in Huntingdonshire in the 13th century. John Essheman was found in the Assize Rolls for Kent in 1317. 3
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Usman research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1916 is included under the topic Early Usman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Usman has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Usman have been found, including Aschman, Ashman, Asheman, Asman and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Usman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Usmans to arrive on North American shores: