Ashbury Family History

See Astbury from Ashborough in Bromsgrove (Worcs), which is recorded as Asseberga in 1086, Esberuwe in about 1200, and Assebarewe in 126. The place-name derives from Old English æsc ‘ash-tree’ + beorg ‘hill’.

From Ashbury (Devon), which is recorded as Esseberie in 1086, Assebure in 1238, Aysshebyry in 1276, and Ashbiry in 129. The place-name means ‘fort by the ash-tree(s)’, deriving from Old English æsc ‘ash-tree’ + burg ‘fortified place’ (dative byrig).

Possibly from Ashbury (Berks), which is recorded as Eissesberie in 1086, Æsseberia in 1187, Essebury, Assebiri in the 13th century, and Asschebury in 1309. The place-name probably means ‘fort by the ash-tree(s)’, deriving from Old English æsc ‘ash-tree’ + burg ‘fortified place’ (dative byrig).

Evidence for the surname in and around Berks is extremely thin; however, post-medieval examples may well belong to (1) -2 or (3).