A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ayscough family of England.
Reg. 9471 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
horseReadiness to serve king and country
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a fesse betw. three asses pass. ar”
LincolnNutthall · Lincoln, c. 1620
Where the Ayscough Arms Were Recorded
Lincoln
Map of England showing where the Ayscough arms are recorded
The Ayscough arms were recorded in Lincoln, c. 1620.
Lincolnshire was rich farming country, and its wealth was spread across many middling families. Households of that size bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Ayscough arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Lincoln.
Origin & History of the Ayscough Family in England
The surname Ayscough is of ancient English origin, rooted in the topography of the northern counties. It is derived from the Old Norse words "eiki," meaning oak tree, and "skógr," meaning wood, which together describe a settlement situated near an oak forest. By the early 17th century, members of the Ayscough family had established a significant presence in the city of Lincoln. Records from 1620 confirm that they were active participants in the local community during this period, often serving in civic roles or engaging in the regional trade that defined the city. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the social and administrative life of Lincolnshire, where the name remained tied to the landscape and history of the region for many generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Askew
Old Norse term meaning crooked or slanted.
This name
AyscoughDerived from a place name in Yorkshire, referring to a crooked or sloping ridge.
also spelled
Ayscue
Askew
Ayscoghe
Aiscough
Related arms
Aiscough, or Ayscoghevariant spelling
Ascoughvariant spelling
Askewvariant spelling
Ayscuevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Lincolnshire Archives, Lincoln City Council Records: Quarter Sessions and Civic Administration, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
horseReadiness to serve king and country
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
horseReadiness to serve king and country
