Ashford

Usually ‘ford where ash-trees grow’, OE æsc + ford: Ashford Devon. Aiseforda (1086) (DB). Ashford Bowdler & Ashford Carbonel Shropshire Esseford (1086) (DB), Asford Budlers, Aysford Carbonel (1255). Manorial affixes from the de Boulers and Carbunel families, here at an early date. Ashford in the Water City of Derbyshire Æscforda (926), Aisseford (1086) (DB). Affix ‘in the Water’ occurs from the late 17th cent., no doubt with reference to the meandering course of the River Wye here.

However two Ashfords have a different origin: Ashford Kent. Essetesford (1086) (DB). ‘Ford by a clump of ash-trees’. OE *æscet + ford. Ashford Surrey. Ecelesford (969), Exeforde (1086) (DB). Probably ‘ford of a man called *Eccel’. Celtic pers. name + OE ford.

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