NameCensus.

UK surname

Asher

A surname of English origin, derived from an occupational name for an ash maker, referring to someone who made arrows.

In the 1881 census there were 1,267 people recorded with the Asher surname, ranking it #3,216 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,763, ranked #3,560, down from #3,216 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Amesbury and Elgin. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Kesteven, Valleyfield Culross and Torryburn and Nairn West.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Asher is 1,857 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 39.1%.

1881 census count

1,267

Ranked #3,216

Modern count

1,763

2016, ranked #3,560

Peak year

2010

1,857 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Asher had 1,267 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,216 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,763 in 2016, ranked #3,560.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,643 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Asher surname distribution map

The map shows where the Asher surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Asher surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Asher over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 927 #2,980
1861 historical 1,026 #2,734
1881 historical 1,267 #3,216
1891 historical 1,423 #3,065
1901 historical 1,643 #3,138
1911 historical 1,535 #3,167
1997 modern 1,699 #3,511
1998 modern 1,765 #3,516
1999 modern 1,774 #3,525
2000 modern 1,754 #3,544
2001 modern 1,716 #3,546
2002 modern 1,793 #3,469
2003 modern 1,735 #3,510
2004 modern 1,725 #3,527
2005 modern 1,699 #3,542
2006 modern 1,695 #3,554
2007 modern 1,733 #3,520
2008 modern 1,750 #3,516
2009 modern 1,788 #3,523
2010 modern 1,857 #3,482
2011 modern 1,821 #3,498
2012 modern 1,800 #3,482
2013 modern 1,825 #3,491
2014 modern 1,828 #3,505
2015 modern 1,808 #3,510
2016 modern 1,763 #3,560

Geography

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Where Ashers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Amesbury, Elgin, London parishes and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Kesteven, Valleyfield Culross and Torryburn, Nairn West, Ashfield and South Kesteven. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
2 Amesbury Wiltshire
3 Elgin Elgin
4 London parishes London 3
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Kesteven 012 North Kesteven
2 Valleyfield Culross and Torryburn Fife
3 Nairn West Highland
4 Ashfield 011 Ashfield
5 South Kesteven 011 South Kesteven

Forenames

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First names often paired with Asher

These lists show first names that appear often with the Asher surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Asher

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Asher, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Asher surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Asher household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Asher is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Asher is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Asher falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Asher is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Asher, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Asher

The surname Asher is of English origin, derived from the Old English word 'aesc', meaning 'ash tree'. It is believed to have originated as a descriptive surname, given to someone who lived near an ash tree or grove of ash trees.

The earliest recorded instances of the Asher surname date back to the late 12th century in various English counties, such as Essex, Suffolk, and Lincolnshire. One of the earliest recorded bearers of this name was Robert le Ascher, mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Worcestershire in 1188.

During the Middle Ages, the Asher surname appeared in various forms, including Aissher, Aysher, and Assher. These variations were likely due to regional dialects and the inconsistent spelling practices of the time.

In the Domesday Book of 1086, a record of landholders in England commissioned by William the Conqueror, there are several references to places with names derived from the Old English word 'aesc', such as Ashbury and Ashton, suggesting the presence of the Asher surname or its variants at that time.

One notable bearer of the Asher surname was John Asher (c. 1597 - 1659), an English Puritan clergyman and religious writer. He was a prominent figure during the English Civil War and authored several works on theology and church governance.

Another historical figure with the surname Asher was Sir Adolphus Asher (1837 - 1919), a British businessman and philanthropist. He was a successful merchant and banker in London and made significant contributions to various charitable organizations.

In the literary world, Mary Asher (1862 - 1901) was an English novelist and short story writer. She is best known for her novel 'The Baronet's Bride', published in 1896.

Sir Frederick Asher (1866 - 1944) was a British civil engineer and architect. He was involved in several notable construction projects, including the Manchester Ship Canal and the Wembley Stadium in London.

Lastly, Arthur Asher (1914 - 1994) was an American baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies in the 1940s.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Asher families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Asher surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lincolnshire leads with 173 Ashers recorded in 1881 and an index of 8.75x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 173 8.75x
Nottinghamshire 145 8.70x
Morayshire 127 66.13x
Middlesex 113 0.91x
Leicestershire 100 7.30x
Wiltshire 62 5.67x
Yorkshire 58 0.47x
Hampshire 51 2.01x
Northamptonshire 46 3.96x
Surrey 44 0.73x
Lancashire 43 0.29x
Derbyshire 41 2.12x
Aberdeenshire 23 2.01x
Durham 20 0.54x
Inverness-shire 19 5.15x
Warwickshire 17 0.55x
Bedfordshire 16 2.50x
Staffordshire 15 0.36x
Gloucestershire 14 0.58x
Banffshire 12 4.68x
Glamorgan 11 0.51x
Lanarkshire 11 0.28x
Kent 10 0.24x
Northumberland 10 0.54x
Essex 8 0.33x
Renfrewshire 8 0.84x
Somerset 8 0.40x
Devon 7 0.27x
Huntingdonshire 7 2.85x
Midlothian 7 0.42x
Cheshire 6 0.22x
Ross-shire 6 1.77x
Worcestershire 6 0.37x
Nairnshire 5 13.25x
Angus 4 0.35x
Dorset 3 0.37x
Kincardineshire 3 1.99x
Norfolk 2 0.11x
Ayrshire 1 0.11x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.13x
Fife 1 0.14x
Royal Navy 1 0.68x
Rutland 1 1.10x
Stirlingshire 1 0.22x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Elgin in Morayshire leads with 69 Ashers recorded in 1881 and an index of 184.69x.

Place Total Index
Elgin 69 184.69x
Nottingham St Mary 38 8.82x
Snenton 23 35.14x
Inverness 19 20.47x
Battersea 18 3.96x
Ancaster 17 615.94x
Amesbury 16 335.43x
Codnor Loscoe 16 104.44x
Countesthorpe 16 342.61x
Islington London 16 1.34x
Southampton St Mary 16 10.04x
Derby St Werburgh 15 13.43x
Bishopwearmouth 14 4.44x
St Andrews Lhanbryd 14 236.09x
Aberdeen Old Machar 13 5.44x
Bottesford 13 230.91x
Leicester St Margaret 13 3.89x
Oldham 13 2.75x
Radford 13 15.36x
Salisbury St Martin 13 114.24x
Wilsford 13 446.74x
Birmingham 12 1.16x
Great Gonerby 12 235.76x
Paddington London 12 2.64x
Burton Pedwardine 11 1294.12x
Christchurch 11 20.03x
Leicester St Mary 11 9.94x
St Marylebone London 11 1.67x
Chadderton 10 13.95x
Desborough 10 114.55x
Rothwell 10 85.62x
Scott Willoughby 10 6666.67x
Urquhart 10 110.25x
Dallas 9 230.77x
Dorrington 9 535.71x
Forres 9 44.60x
Grantham 9 34.94x
Holy Trinity 9 3.06x
Keysoe 9 300.00x
Manthorpe Cum Little 9 59.56x
Newark Upon Trent 9 15.03x
Stoke Upon Trent 9 2.03x
Woodford 9 483.87x
Aberlour 8 98.40x
Kettering 8 17.01x
Kilby 8 650.41x
Old Artillery Ground 8 75.19x
St Pancras London 8 0.80x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 7 6.14x
Bingham 7 98.87x
Cheetham 7 6.40x
Downton 7 48.95x
Great Glenn 7 192.84x
Hackney London 7 1.01x
Milton 7 111.11x
Scarrington 7 795.45x
Spitalfields London 7 7.53x
St George In East London 7 6.02x
St Swithin Lincoln 7 22.53x
Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe 7 12.30x
Stroud 7 14.84x
Twerton 7 34.13x
West Ham 7 1.30x
Bromley 6 9.34x
Cathcart 6 11.58x
Claylane 6 22.30x
Clipston 6 204.08x
Cranwell 6 681.82x
Felmersham 6 288.46x
Great Grimsby 6 4.78x
Helpringham 6 150.75x
Lambeth 6 0.56x
Richmond 6 7.11x
Roath 6 6.14x
Wath On Dearne 6 24.55x
Barlings 5 252.53x
Harlaxton 5 308.64x
Market Lavington 5 84.60x
Monks Coppenhall 5 4.86x
Tormoham 5 4.59x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Asher surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Asher surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

FAQ

Asher surname: questions and answers

How common was the Asher surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,267 people were recorded with the Asher surname. That placed it at #3,216 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Asher surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,763 in 2016. That gives Asher a modern rank of #3,560.

What does the Asher surname mean?

A surname of English origin, derived from an occupational name for an ash maker, referring to someone who made arrows.

What does the Asher map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Asher bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.