Ashelford Family History

English: habitational name from Ashelford in East Down in Devon, which is recorded as Assele(s)worth in the 13th century and Aishelford in 167. The placename derives from the Old English personal name Æscel + worth ‘enclosure, curtilage’.

With the later replacement of -worth by the more familiar -ford, the name evolved to its current form.

Ashelford reflects the historical significance of enclosures in England's landscape.

This name also highlights the transition in place-naming conventions over the centuries.

See also Astleford for further context.