Ashmore

This interesting surname is of English locational origin from a place so called in Dorset. The placename was recorded as "Aisemare" in the Domesday Book of 1086, and derives from either the Old English pre 7th Century "aesc" meaning ash plus "mere" a lake; hence "lake where ash-trees grow" or as the place is on the Wiltshire border it may be from the Old English personal name "Aesca" plus "(ge)maere" a boundary; hence "Aesca's boundary". The surname may also be from any of several minor places composed of the Old English elements "aesc" ash plus "mor" a marsh or fen. In the modern idiom the surname has many variant spellings including Ashemore, Asmore, Ashmoore, Ashmere, etc.. On July 19th 1562, John, son of John Ashmore, was christened at St. Michael's, Cornhill, and Elizabeth daughter of Roger Ashmore was christened on October 20th 1596, at St. Dunstans, Stepney. One of the earliest settlers in the New World was Anthony Ashmore aged 33, who departed from the Port of London, aboard the "Expedition", bound for the Barbados on November 20th 1635. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Ashemore, witness at christening, which was dated May 11th 1561, St. Michael, Cornhill, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.