UK surname
A surname derived from a Scandinavian nickname for someone with an ash-colored complexion.
In the 1881 census there were 44 people recorded with the Aske surname, ranking it #27,447 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 68, ranked #33,826, down from #27,447 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Halifax, Wolstanton and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Aske is 104 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 54.5%.
1881 census count
44
Ranked #27,447
Modern count
68
2016, ranked #33,826
Peak year
1911
104 bearers
Map years
1
1911 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Aske surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Aske surname density by area, 1911 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 22 | #29,378 |
| 1861 | historical | 48 | #27,896 |
| 1881 | historical | 44 | #27,447 |
| 1891 | historical | 59 | #29,325 |
| 1901 | historical | 80 | #25,251 |
| 1911 | historical | 104 | #22,209 |
| 1997 | modern | 73 | #30,306 |
| 1998 | modern | 70 | #30,968 |
| 1999 | modern | 65 | #31,605 |
| 2000 | modern | 70 | #31,180 |
| 2001 | modern | 66 | #31,394 |
| 2002 | modern | 64 | #32,007 |
| 2003 | modern | 67 | #31,796 |
| 2004 | modern | 69 | #31,784 |
| 2005 | modern | 68 | #32,097 |
| 2006 | modern | 70 | #32,240 |
| 2007 | modern | 75 | #32,079 |
| 2008 | modern | 72 | #32,656 |
| 2009 | modern | 72 | #33,021 |
| 2010 | modern | 67 | #33,713 |
| 2011 | modern | 65 | #33,842 |
| 2012 | modern | 68 | #33,763 |
| 2013 | modern | 71 | #33,693 |
| 2014 | modern | 69 | #33,833 |
| 2015 | modern | 64 | #34,112 |
| 2016 | modern | 68 | #33,826 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Halifax, Wolstanton, London parishes, Bubwith and Merthyr Tydfil. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Halifax | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Wolstanton | Staffordshire |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Bubwith | Yorkshire, East Riding |
| 5 | Merthyr Tydfil | Glamorganshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Aske surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Aske, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Aske surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Aske household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Aske is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Aske is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Aske, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname ASKE has its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "aesc," meaning "ash tree." The name likely referred to someone who lived near an ash tree or in an area abundant with ash trees.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname ASKE can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it is listed as "Asche." This suggests that the name had already been established in England by the late 11th century.
In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as "Aeske," "Aeske," and "Aske," reflecting the evolution of spelling over time. The name was particularly prevalent in the northern counties of England, including Yorkshire and Lancashire.
One notable figure bearing the surname ASKE was Robert Aske (c. 1500-1537), a lawyer and the leader of the Pilgrimage of Grace, a major uprising against King Henry VIII's religious reforms in 1536. Although the rebellion was ultimately crushed, Aske's role in this significant historical event has cemented his place in English history.
Another individual of note was Richard Aske (c. 1619-1688), an English philosopher and scholar who wrote extensively on moral philosophy and natural law. He was a fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge, and his works contributed to the intellectual discourse of his time.
In the 18th century, William Aske (1700-1772) was a prominent English landowner and philanthropist. He founded the Aske's Hospital, a charitable institution in Yorkshire, which provided education and housing for underprivileged children.
The surname ASKE is also associated with several place names in England, such as Aske in North Yorkshire and Aske Hall, a historic manor house in Richmond, North Yorkshire. These place names likely derived from the Old English word "aesc," further reinforcing the connection between the surname and the ash tree.
Another notable individual with the surname ASKE was John Aske (1785-1858), an English clergyman and author who wrote several works on theology and biblical studies. He served as a vicar in various parishes throughout his career.
While the surname ASKE has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and subsequent generations. However, its historical origins and association with the ash tree remain an integral part of its etymology and significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Aske surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 24 Askes recorded in 1881 and an index of 5.64x.
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Walsall Foreign in Staffordshire leads with 10 Askes recorded in 1881 and an index of 133.69x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Walsall Foreign | 10 | 133.69x |
| Halifax | 7 | 112.18x |
| North Duffield | 6 | 10000.00x |
| Spaldington | 6 | 15000.00x |
| Goole | 3 | 422.54x |
| Bermondsey | 2 | 15.65x |
| Snettisham | 2 | 1111.11x |
| Chislehurst | 1 | 126.58x |
| Croydon | 1 | 8.61x |
| Doncaster | 1 | 32.15x |
| Ilkley | 1 | 144.93x |
| Kensington London | 1 | 4.19x |
| Subdeanery | 1 | 181.82x |
| Trowbridge | 1 | 59.52x |
| Wolstanton | 1 | 22.73x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Aske surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Aske surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Aske households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 11 |
| Factors Clerk | 2 |
| Farm Labourer | 2 |
| General Servt | 2 |
| Ag Labr | 1 |
| Ag Serv | 1 |
| Bricklayer | 1 |
| Carpenter Employing 1 Boy | 1 |
| Carpenter Wife | 1 |
| Chief Clerk In County Court (C S O) | 1 |
| Clerk County Court (C S O) | 1 |
| Dock Lab | 1 |
| Dress Maker | 1 |
| Farm Servant | 1 |
| Gen Sert | 1 |
| General Domestic Serv | 1 |
| Governess | 1 |
| Labourer | 1 |
| Potters Manager | 1 |
| Shopman Silversmith | 1 |
| Shopman Silversmith Wife | 1 |
| Weaver | 1 |
| Weigher At Biscuit Works (Baker) | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 44 people were recorded with the Aske surname. That placed it at #27,447 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 68 in 2016. That gives Aske a modern rank of #33,826.
A surname derived from a Scandinavian nickname for someone with an ash-colored complexion.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Aske bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.