Essman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The earliest origins of the Essman surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was 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

Early Origins of the Essman family

The surname Essman 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

Early History of the Essman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Essman research. Another 39 words (3 lines of text) covering the year 1916 is included under the topic Early Essman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Essman Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Essman 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. The variations of the name Essman include: Aschman, Ashman, Asheman, Asman and others.

Early Notables of the Essman family

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

Migration of the Essman family

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 Essman or a variant listed above: George Ashman who settled in Barbados in 1654; Henry Ashman settled in Philadelphia in 1754; and James Ashman arrived in Philadelphia in 1814. In Newfoundland the family is registered in St. John's, with George Ashman in 1816.

Contemporary Notables of the name Essman (post 1700) +

Walter O. Essman, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1933 7

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html