The name Aswithey is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in the chapelry named Ashworth anciently spelt Asseheworth in Lancashire. Despite the small size of this town (only 233 in the 1861 census) many of the surname have flourished since that time. [1]
The first part of the name, Ash, was originally given to a person who resided in an area where ash trees flourished. Now there are numerous parishes and townships called Ashworth in many counties and there are also various minor localities of this same name from which smaller lines of the name may have emerged. [2]
The surname Aswithey was first found in Lancashire at Ashworth, a parochial chapelry, in the parish of Middleton, union of Bury, hundred of Salford. "A family named Ashworth was seated here as early as the 13th century, and appears to have been succeeded by the Holts." [3]
An early variant of the family was Ashwardby. Of this name, we could find only one reference, that of John Ashwardby (fl. 1392), "a follower of Wycliffe, is described by Tanner, no doubt by an inference from his surname, as a Lincolnshire man. " [4]
Early rolls entries are scarce, but we did find Richard de Ascheworth in the Assize Rolls for 1285. [5] Frome here we move to the 17th century where the Wills at Chester listed John Ashworth, of Castleton, Lancashire, 1617; and Oliver Ashworth, of Wolfenden, Lancashire, 1611. [1]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aswithey research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1722, 1775, 1722, 1785, 1811 and 1785 are included under the topic Early Aswithey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Aswithey are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Aswithey include: Ashworth, Asworth, Ashworthe and others.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Aswithey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Aswithey or a variant listed above: William Ashworth who settled in Virginia in 1653; Nicholas, Sydney and William Ashworth arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1832 and 1841; along with many more of the name..