Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• (to) Æystone, (at) Aystone 964 BCS1127

• Aistone 1086 DB

• Aystone al. Aysstone 1299 Ipm

• Aysshtone 1333 SR

• Westaston 1248 Ass 1257 For

• West Asshton juxta Stupel Asshton 1305 FF

• Stepelaston 1268 Ass 1289 FF

• Stupel A(y)shton 1289 Ass 1341 Rental

• Stapelashton 1363 Pat

• Stipelasshtoun 1391 ib

• Chirchaston 1268 Ass

• Gyldeneaston 1279 ib

• Guldene Ashton 1281 ib

• Gildenasheton 1289 ib

• Gyldon Ashton 1533–8 ECP

Etymology

'Ash farm,' v. tun . Steeple , as may be seen from its early forms, clearly goes back to OE stīepel , 'steeple,' and not to OE  stapol , 'staple, market.' The reference must be to the church steeple. In WM (xxxii, 182) it is stated that in deeds of Ed 1 and 2 it is called Ashton Forum and that there is a charter of 1349 at the PRO granting a market here to the Abbess of Romsey.If so, the place may have also been known as Staple Ashton (cf. the 1363 form) but that cannot be the source of the stepel , stupel forms. Gyldene , etc., apparently an alternative name for Steeple Ashton, cf. s. n. Moreton Pinkney (PN Nth 41). It is probably descriptive of a wealthy manor.