Ashmore Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Origins of Ashmore:
This interesting surname is of English locational origin from a place so called in Dorset.  The place name is noted as “Aisemare” in the Domesday Book of 1086 and acquires from either the Old English pre 7th Century “aesc” meaning ash and “mere” a lake.  So, “lake where ash-trees grow” or as the place is on the Wiltshire border it may be from the Old English particular name “Aesca” and “(ge)maere” a boundary.  So, “Aesca’s boundary”. The surname may also be from any of several minor places combination of the Old English components “aesc” ash and “mor” a marsh or fen.  In the new era, the surname has many variant spellings including Ashemore, Asmore, Ashmoore, Ashmere, etc..  In July 1562, John, son of John Ashmore, named at St. Michael’s, Cornhill, and Elizabeth daughter of Roger Ashmore named in October 1596, at St. Dunstan’s, Stepney.

Variations:
More common variations are: Ashmoore, Ashemore, Ashmorre, Ashmoree, Ashmorey, Ashomore, Ashmoure, Ashamore, Ashmor, Ashemoore.

England:
The very first recorded spelling of the family was shown to be that of John Ashemore, dated 1561, in the St. Michael, Cornhill. It was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was known as “Good Queen Bess” dated 1558-1603.  Surnames all over the country became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation.  It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.  Surnames all over the country began to develop with unique and shocking spelling varieties of the original one.

United States of America:
Individuals with the surname Ashmore landed in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 19th.    Some of the people with the name Ashmore who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included William Ashmore, who arrived in Maryland in 1633.  William Ashmore settled in Maryland in 1634.  John Ashmore settled in Maryland in 1634.  Anthony Ashmore settled in Barbados in 1635.  Anthony Ashmore, aged 33, arrived in Barbados in 1635. Individuals with the surname Ashmore who landed in the United States in the 18th century included Sarah Ashmore, who came to Virginia in 1714.  Elizabeth Ashmore settled in Maryland in 1727.  John Ashmore, who landed in Georgia in 1749. The following century saw much more Ashmore surnames arrive.  Some of the individuals with the surname Ashmore who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included S Ashmore, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851.

Australia:
Some of the individuals with the surname Ashmore who landed in Australia in the 19th century included Eliza Ashmore arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Britannia” in 1846.  Rose Ashmore arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Inconstant” in 1849.  William Ashmore, aged 25, a labourer, arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship “Fatima”.  Joseph Ashmore arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship “Thetis”.  Susan Ashmore arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship “Switzerland.”

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (granted to Charles Ashmore, of Belfast, Esq., Lieut.-Col. 30th Foot). Motto—Cave adsum. Ar. a lion ramp. ppr. betw. in chief two stars of six points gu. and in base a trefoil vert. Crest—A star wavy of six points ar. betw. two branches of laurel ppr.
2) (Ireland). Sa. three lions’ heads erased or. Crest—A demi eagle displ. with two heads or, each regally crowned ppr.
3) Or, three lions’ heads erased sa.