Surname Esher - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Esher: What does the surname Esher mean?
The surname Esher is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from a place name. It is believed to come from the word "Aesce", meaning "ash" in Old English, and "ofer", meaning "hill" or "ridge". Therefore, it likely originally referred to someone who lived on or near a ridge where ash trees grew. This surname has different variations such as Asher, Esser, and Ash. The town of Esher in Surrey, England, is likely the source of the surname. It is worth mentioning that due to the mobility of surnames, the original location does not necessarily signify where bearers of the surname Esher ended up. Names could also change based on literacy levels and regional accents, yielding different spellings of the same original surname. There could be other interpretations in different languages and cultures as well.
Order DNA origin analysisEsher: Where does the name Esher come from?
The surname Esher is of English origin. The name is locational, derived from the ancient village of Esher in Surrey, England. “Eascere” was its Old English name, which means land of ash trees, suggesting that the original bearers of the name may have lived or worked in such a locale.
Historical documents indicate that the name dates back to at least the late 13th century. People bearing the name would have been recognised as inhabitants of Esher, and when individuals migrated, they were often named after their place of origin.
Throughout the years, the surname was modified due to variation in translation and phonetic spelling, therefore, it can appear under several spellings including Esher, Esser, Asher, and others. Today, the Esher surname is not very common. Most prevalence of the name is observed in the United States, England, and few in Canada. However, its numbers remain relatively low in these countries.
It should not be confused with Escher which is a separate surname of Swiss-Dutch origin, linked to the famous graphic artist M.C. Escher.
Variations of the surname Esher
The surname Esher appears to derive from a geographical location, specifically Esher in Surrey, England. Consequently, variations of the surname Esher may reflect changes over time or differences in language, dialect, or records transcription.
Potential variants, spelling variations, and phonetically similar surnames may include Esser, Aysher, Ethsher, Usher, Asher, Essher, Eshner, and Isher. The English surname Asher, for instance, is phonetically similar and may occasionally be confused with or misspelled as Esher. The surname Usher, while not of the exact same origin, sounds similar and may sometimes be interchanged. Esser is a German surname that might be occasionally confused with Esher.
However, it's worth noting that each iteration above is distinct and may have its unique derivation and meaning. For instance, Asher is of Jewish origin, while Usher may derive from an occupational term in Old French. Consequently, the link between Esher and these similar surnames is more phonetic and visual than it is historical or genealogical. As with any surname research, a comprehensive understanding of Esher and its variations requires direct investigation into specific family records and histories.
Famous people with the name Esher
- M.C. Escher: Maurits Cornelis Escher was a Dutch graphic artist renowned for his mathematically-inspired artwork, integrating concepts such as tessellation, symmetry, and infinity. His best-known works include "Drawing Hands" and "Relativity."
- Esher and Walton (Michael Gove): Michael Gove, a prominent British politician, served as the Member of Parliament for Esher and Walton. Please note that "Esher" as a surname is not very common. Instead, it is more commonly associated as a place name in Surrey, United Kingdom. As such, other famous names connected to "Esher" often refer to the location, not the surname. For instance, Claremont Institute in Esher hosted various historical figures such as Queen Victoria. Esher College and Sandown Park in Esher have also been associated with a number of notable individuals.