Ashecroft History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestry of the name Ashecroft dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It 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 Ashecroft family

The surname Ashecroft 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 Ashecroft family

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

Ashecroft Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ashecroft have been found, including Ashecroft, Ashecroft, Ashcroft, Ashcrofte, Ascroft, Ascrofte, Ashcraft and many more.

Early Notables of the Ashecroft family

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

Migration of the Ashecroft family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Ashecroft, or a variant listed above: Jo Ascrofte who settled in Virginia in 1635; Hugh Ashcroft landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1832; Henry Ascroft settled in Virginia in 1699.

The Ashecroft 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)