Surname Ashman - Meaning and Origin
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Ashman: What does the surname Ashman mean?
The last name Ashman is an English surname derived from the Old English personal name Aescmael. In Old English, the word “aesc” meaning “ash tree” and “mael” meaning “prince” were combined to form the name. This name likely originated as a nickname for someone who lived near an ash tree and was seen as a leader or prince among his peers.
The surname Ashman evolved many forms and spellings over time, including Ashmann, Assman, Esmond, Esmondson and Assmann. These variations are common among British families, particularly in England and Wales. The surname is also known to have appeared in Scotland, Ireland and parts of Europe.
The Ashman surname is believed to have originated among a group of Anglo-Saxon warriors and has carried on down through generations since. Some people with the surname still carry the warrior spirit today, as exemplified by the popular MMA fighter Alan Ashman.
The Ashman surname has a long and proud history, and it’s easy to understand why it has been used in families for centuries. It’s a unique name with a strong sense of identity and one that carries with it a certain level of respectability.
Order DNA origin analysisAshman: Where does the name Ashman come from?
The last name Ashman is most common in England and Wales today. According to the 2019 UK census, the surname Ashman was ranked as the one hundred and seventy-fourth most common name in those countries, with approximately 17,572 people having it. It is somewhat less common in Scotland where the census recorded it as the five hundred and fifty-fourth most common name, with around 1,609 people having it. In Ireland, Ashman is a much less common name, ranking in at around four thousand, four hundred and eighty-second, with about 107 people having it.
Due to the name originating in the British Isles, it is most prominent in this area, however with immigration and migration becoming more and more commonplace, it is becoming more widely spread. Australia, for example, is now home to an average of over 1,000 people with the surname Ashman, up from around 150-200 people forty years ago. Similarly in the United States, the number of people with the surname Ashman has grown in recent years from around 600 to nearly 2,000.
Overall, the surname Ashman is still most common in the United Kingdom, however it has started to become more widely distributed across the world, with larger populations primarily in countries with British colonial connections.
Variations of the surname Ashman
The surname Ashman has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames that share the same origin. These are:
Ashman: This is the most common variation, which has been in use since the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old English word æsc, meaning “ash”, and mans, meaning “man” or “person”.
Asman: This is a very rare variation, which is most likely a spelling mistake of the original Ashman surname.
Ashment: This is a much less common variation, which is derived from the Old English words æsc and ment, meaning “manor,” thus meaning “manor of the ashtrees.”
Ashmore: This is another rare variation, which is derived from the Old English word æsc and mor, meaning “moor” or “heath.”
Esman: This variation is derived from the Old English words efes and mæns, meaning “forge” and “man.”
Eschman: This variant is a combination of the Old English words efes and mans, meaning “forge” and “man.”
Esseman: This variation is a combination of the Old English words efes and mæns, meaning “forge” and “man.”
Eschmann: This is a rare German form of the surname, which is derived from the Old German words eis and man, meaning “iron” and “man.”
Aschman: This is a less commonly found variation, which is derived from the German word asch, meaning “ash”, and man, meaning “man” or “person.”
Eschmann: This is another variant of the surname that is found in Germany. It is derived from the Old Germanic words eis and man, meaning “iron” and “man.”
All these variations share the same basic meaning, which was associated with a person that worked with metals or reclaimed materials. Moreover, all of these surnames are synonymous with the fact that they trace their origins back to a common ancestor whose last name was Ashman.
Famous people with the name Ashman
- Howard Ashman: legendary American playwright, lyricist, and director remembered for his important work in musical theatre.
- Bill Ashman: British dad rock and soft rock musician, known for being part of the duo “Ashman and Steele”.
- Wendy Ashman: American music supervisor, best known for her collaborations with TV shows such as True Detective and Halt And Catch Fire.
- Steven Ashman: Canadian film and television director, who’s best known for directing the movie “Caged Heat 3000”.
- Jason Ashman: Australian actor and producer, best known for his role as Trina in “The Wrong Girl”.
- Dave Ashman: English rugby league player who has played for several teams including Bradford Bulls and Widnes Vikings.
- Jack Ashman: American professional wrestler signed with World Wrestling Federation under the stage name “Jack Swagger”.
- John Ashman: Canadian curler who represented Canada at the 2002 World Curling Championships.
- Foley Lardner Ashman: Australian businessman, who worked as the President of MEMETICS Corporation.
- Lewis Ashman: English bassist, songwriter and producer, best known for his previous work with the band Razorlight.