Ashford
The proud ashford family originated in Cornwall, a rugged coastal region in southwestern England. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people travelled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name.
The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The ashford family originally lived at Ayshford, in Cornwall.
The ashford surname was also derived from the Old English words aesc and ford which meant a ford where ash trees grew. Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations.
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There were linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era.
The name has been spelled Aishford, Ashford, Ayshford, Aysford, Asford, Asseford and many more. First found in Ayshford, in the county of Cornwall, and in the County of Devon, from earliest times, and in later years a branch of the family migrated eastward to Kent. There are at least two references to the name in the Domesday Book: Aisseford and Aiseforda. Both were listed in Devon. See: http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp.fc/qx/ashford-family-crest.htm
HELLO MY NAME IS OSCAR JOELORD ASHFORD JR. AND I AM BLACK AND THERE ARE OVER A THOUSAND BLACK ASHFORDS LIVEING HERE IN AMERICA. MY FAMILY WILL LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT US WHO WE REALLY ARE AND WHAT KING WE ARE DESENTED OF IF YOU COULD REALLY TELL US THAT WILL BE GREAT.THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO OUR YOUNG ASHFORD SO WE CAN GIVE THEM HOPE AND LEAD THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION MY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
Hey Oscar I would like some of the same info. Maybe we can talk? I am half Ashford (NJ and Arkansas areas) and half O’Connor (by way of Jamaica). I am also interested in finding info about how my families got to where they are today. maybe we can chat?
DeaconLyric@gmail.com if you or anyone seeing this can help.
Hello, I am looking for black Ashford from Arkansan as well. wow.
Hello I’m Richard Ashford and I have been researching the samenfo. i
Hello , I am Lydia Zialu. My mother is an Ashford. Her father was Henry Ashford. She was raised to believe she was white. However, her father bragged about being Black Dutch and took great pride in it. I believe many there are more black Ashfords than what you think. After some research I found that many of them took on being”Black Dutch” in order to live free in society. I hope this helps. Do not let the “color” of a person fool you.
Hello, my name is Ernest Ashford, My father Amos Ashford was born in McCool, Ms, about 1913, his father was white (Ashford) his mother black, my father had no contact with his father even though he knew who he was, he also had 2 older siblings all Ashford’s listed in the census as mulatto. I am searching for any info, or relatives, I currently live in Columbia SC.