ASKEW

Askew is a surname of English origin, predominantly associated with the northern regions of England. Its earliest recorded use dates back to the 13th century, where it appears in the form Aldred the askew, a person noted for a distinctive squint. The term is derived from the Middle English phrase at skew, meaning “at an angle” or “askance.” It has therefore functioned both as a topographic name, applied to those who lived near a crooked or oblique feature such as a field or road, and as a nickname, applied to individuals with a physical deformity or characteristic such as a squint.

The surname also has a locational variant linked to the Old Norse place name Aiskew in the North Riding of Yorkshire, which itself is derived from the elements eiki (oak) and skogr (wood), giving the meaning “oak wood.” The placename appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Echescol and in the Feet of Fines of 1235 as Aykescogh. In the Middle Ages, it was common for migrants to adopt the name of their birthplace for identification, which explains the emergence of the surname Askew and its variants such as Ascough, Ainscough and Ainscow.

Early documentary evidence of the name includes Robert Ascowe (1390) in the Calendar of Letter Books of the City of London and William Askew (1488) in the Register of the Guild of Corpus Christi in the City of York. A further record appears in the London Church Records, where James Askew was christened in 1550 at St. Margaret's, Westminster. In 1635, a Thomas Askew emigrated to the New World aboard the ship Alice from London bound for Virginia, illustrating the name’s spread beyond Britain during the early colonial period.

Coat‑of‑arms associated with the ASKew family features a black shield, a gold fesse, and three silver asses passant, which are portrayed with gold manes and hooves. This heraldic design indicates the family’s established status and provides a visual identifier that has been documented in genealogical records.

Throughout history, the surname has persisted in many English-speaking countries. Today, it remains relatively common in England, especially in Cumbria and Northumberland, and it is also found in Scotland particularly in Fife and Angus. Its distribution outside the United Kingdom is largely a result of migration during the expansion of the British Empire, with significant populations now in the United States, Canada and Australia. In the United States, surname distribution data indicate higher concentrations in the states of Georgia and Mississippi.

The spelling of the surname varies according to regional dialects and historical influences. Variants such as Ascough, Ayscough, Aiscough, Ascue, Aske, Asker, Askue and Askey are all recognised forms. The presence of these variations reflects the linguistic heritage of Old Norse, Old French and local English dialects that have shaped the surname over the centuries.

Typical given names associated with the Askew surname

Male

• Christopher
• David
• James
• John
• Mark
• Michael
• Paul
• Peter
• Richard
• Robert

Female

• Caroline
• Catherine
• Christine
• Claire
• Diane
• Elizabeth
• Helen
• Karen
• Margaret
• Mary
• Patricia
• Sarah
• Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

How to communicate the surname Askew in...

Braille

⠁⠎⠅⠑⠺

Morse

.-...-.-..--

Semaphore

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Famous people named Askew

• Desmond Askew - Actor
• Steve Askew -
• John Askew - Singer
• Lynsey Askew - Cricketer
• Billy Askew - Football player
• Dave Askew - Darts player
• Harry Askew - (1917 to 1986)
• Philip Askew - Figure skater

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

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