Asheton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the name Asheton date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in the village of Ashton, Lancashire. The first part of the name, Ash, was originally given to a person who resided in an area where ash trees prospered. There are eighteen parishes and townships called Ashton in numerous counties and there are also various minor localities of this same name.

Early Origins of the Asheton family

The surname Asheton was first found in Lancashire, where they held a family seat originally at Assheton, originally known as Assheton-under-Lyne. 1

The manor of Middleton has an extensive history dating back to the de Lacy family. It passed through Thomas Plantagenet and then "it would appear that the manor subsequently passed to the Kydales and the Bartons; and by the marriage of Sir Ralph Assheton, commonly called the "Black Knight of Ashton," with the last heiress of the Bartons, it was conveyed to the Assheton family.

Sir Ralph was successively knight-marshal, and vice-constable of England, the latter office having been conferred upon him for his gallant services under Richard, Duke of Gloucester, afterwards Richard III.; and his devoted attachment to the house of York was rewarded by that sovereign with the grant of divers manors confiscated from the adherents of the house of Lancaster. His grandson, Sir Richard Assheton, was one of the heroes of Flodden-Field, and led to the attack in that memorable battle a body of Middleton bowmen, which formed part of the left wing under the command of Sir Edward Stanley; for his valour on the occasion, he received the honour of knighthood from Henry VIII., and various important privileges were conferred upon his manor of Middleton." 2

"The manor [of Downham, Lancashire] is carried up to a period before the Conquest, when it was possessed by Aufray, or Alfred, a Saxon. It was granted by the Lacys to Ralph de Rous, and afterwards to Peter de Cestria; and by Henry, Duke of Lancaster, to John de Dyneley, a member of the Cliviger family. After the dissolution of Whalley Abbey, in which the fee vested, it was sold to Richard Assheton; and Downham Hall, existing in 1308, but rebuilt in 1775, became the seat of the Asshetons." 2

Sir John de Ashton (fl. 1370), was a military commander, the son of Thomas de Ashton, who had distinguished himself at the battle of Nevill's Cross. His son, Sir John de Ashton (d. 1428), was Seneschal of Bayeux. "He was one of forty-six esquires who were summoned to attend the grand coronation of Henry IV, in honour of which event they were solemnly admitted to the order of the Bath. He served in the parliament of 1413 as knight of the shire for Lancashire. " 3

Sir Robert de Ashton (d. 1385), was a "civil, military, and naval officer under Edward III, was of the great northern family of Ashton or Assheton, of Ashton-under-Lyne, in the county of Lancaster." 3

His son, Thomas de Ashton (fl. 1346), was a "warrior, the son and heir of Sir Robert de Ashton, and it is remarkable that, although the chief recorded event of his life shows him to have been a man of conspicuous military courage, he does not appear to have received the honour of knighthood." 3

Early History of the Asheton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Asheton research. Another 259 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1273, 1323, 1400, 1431, 1581, 1585, 1590, 1605, 1620, 1624, 1625, 1626, 1641, 1644, 1646, 1651, 1652, 1658, 1665, 1677, 1679, 1680, 1691, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1698, 1700, 1711, 1716 and 1818 are included under the topic Early Asheton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Asheton Spelling Variations

Asheton 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 Asheton have been found, including Ashton, Asshton, Asheton, Ashtown, Assheton, Ascheton and many more.

Early Notables of the Asheton family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st Baronet of Lever (c. 1581-1644); Sir Ralph Assheton, 2nd Baronet of Lever (c. 1605-1680); Sir Edmund Assheton, 3rd Baronet of Lever (1620-1695); Sir John Assheton, 4th Baronet of Lever (1624-1696); Sir Ralph Assheton, 1st Baronet of Middleton (1626-1665), Sir Ralph Assheton, 2nd Baronet of Middleton (1652-1716.) Nicholas Assheton (1590-1625), was a country squire who lived at Downham, near Clitheroe, Lancashire. "He is noteworthy on account of a brief diary which he left illustrating the character of the country life of that part of West Lancashire which is associated with the poet Spenser...
Another 172 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Asheton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Asheton family

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 Ashetons to arrive on North American shores: Alice Ashton, who sailed to Virginia in 1635. John Ashton arrived in Virginia in 1720; James Ashton sailed to Philadelphia in 1816; and Evan Ashton journeyed to San Francisco in 1852..

Contemporary Notables of the name Asheton (post 1700) +

Scott Asheton (1949-2014), American musician, drummer for the rock band The Stooges
Ron Asheton (1949-2009), American musician, punk guitarist for the rock band The Stooges
Philip Asheton Tonge (1897-1959), English actor, known for his roles in Witness for the Prosecution (1957), Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and Hans Christian Andersen (1952)
James Asheton Bayard Sr. (1767-1815), U.S. Senator from Delaware

The Asheton 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: Quid non resolutio
Motto Translation: Someone not weakening.

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print