Ascrofte History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancient roots of the Ascrofte family name are in the Anglo-Saxon culture. The name Ascrofte comes from when the family lived in Norfolk. Ashcroft means the dweller in the croft where the ash trees grow. 1

Early Origins of the Ascrofte family

The surname Ascrofte was first found in Norfolk where one of the first records of the name was Margaret de Asecroft who was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275 in this county. 1 Richard Ashcroft was also listed in Norfolk in the Feet of Fines. 2

Early History of the Ascrofte family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ascrofte research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1592 and 1602 are included under the topic Early Ascrofte History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ascrofte 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 Ascrofte has appeared include Ashecroft, Ashecroft, Ashcroft, Ashcrofte, Ascroft, Ascrofte, Ashcraft and many more.

Early Notables of the Ascrofte family

More information is included under the topic Early Ascrofte Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ascrofte migration to the United States +

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 Ascrofte arrived in North America very early:

Ascrofte Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jo Ascrofte who settled in Virginia in 1635

The Ascrofte Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Floruit fraxinus
Motto Translation: Flowering ash

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)