This interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a topographical name for a dweller by an aspen tree or trees, derived from the Old English pre 7th century "aespen", aspen (tree), trembling poplar. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names. The surname development since 1560 (see below) includes the following: Jennetta Ashpine (1616, Lancashire), Ann Aspen (1686, Lancashire), James Asping (1726, Yorkshire) and Eleas Aspeane (1759, Lancashire). The modern surname can be found as Aspin, Aspen, Aspyn and Asping and is very common throughout England. Among the recordings in London are the marriages of Robert Aspin and Ann Paine on November 5th 1656 at St. Mary Abbots, Kensington, and of Thomas Aspin and Mary Badger on June 21st 1697 at St. Margaret's, Westminster. The christening was recorded in Lancashire of David, son of Benjamin and Jane Aspin, on March 9th 1783 at St. Peter's, Bolton. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Annes Aspyn (marriage to Umfray Steven), which was dated November 16th 1560, St. Andrew's, Enfield, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.