Show ContentsNaiston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Naiston is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was originally a name for someone who worked as a in one of the various settlements called Ash in Derbyshire, Surrey, Hampshire, and many other places. The surname Naiston is also derived from residence near an ash tree. 1 Another source claims that the name could have been derived from the Gaelic "naisg," which means "made fast, bound, protected" 2

"It must not be forgotten, however, that there are localities called Nash, in cos. Salop, Bucks, Monmouth, &c. Yet some of these were originally called Ash. The ville of Esse or Ash, co. Oxford, was corrupted (changed) to Nashe, temp. Richard H. Dunkin's Oxfordshire i. 177." 1

Early Origins of the Naiston family

The surname Naiston was first found in Worcestershire, where William atte Nasche was recorded in 1301. While most of the family hailed from Worcestershire, we also found Agnes ate Nasse in Oxfordshire in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The Writs of Parliament list William atte Nasche, c. 1300. Hugh atte Nash was the rector of Wexham in 1397 and R. Nasshe owned land in Haddenham in 1487. 3

"Nash is an old Worcestershire name, the family of Nash of St. Peter's, Droitwich, dating back to the 16th century. Nash was the name of a Worcester alderman in 1590 and of the mayor of that city in 1633." 4

Early History of the Naiston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Naiston research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1377, 1379, 1380, 1381, 1383, 1394, 1395, 1400, 1590, 1593, 1626, 1640, 1647, 1648, 1661, 1730, 1740, 1742, 1777 and 1786 are included under the topic Early Naiston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Naiston 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 Naiston 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 Naiston include Nash, Naish, Nashe and others.

Early Notables of the Naiston family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Richard Nash or Ash (died 1394/1395), of Hereford, was an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Hereford in 1377, 1379, 1380, 1381 and 1383; and his son, James Nash or Ash (died 1400), of Hereford, was an English politician; John Nash (1590-1661), an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1640 and 1648, supporter of the Parliamentary...
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Naiston Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Naiston family to Ireland

Some of the Naiston family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Naiston 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 Naiston or a variant listed above: Gregory Nash, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630; Anne Nash settled in Virginia in 1635; along with Edward her husband; John, Margaret, Mary, Sarah Nash all settled in Virginia in 1663.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.


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