The surname of ASKWITH is an ancient English surname, a habitation name from Askwith in North Yorkshire. The name was derived from the Old English word ASKVIOR, literally meaning the dweller in or near the ash-wood. Almost every city, town or village extant in the Middle Ages has served to name one or more families. While a man lived in a town or village he would not be known by its name, as that would be no means of identification - all in the village would be so named. But when a man left his birthplace or village where he had been known and went elsewhere, people would likely refer to him by the name of his former residence or by the name of the land which he owned. Some had the name of a manor or village because they were lords of that place and owned it, but the majority descend from vassals of freeman who once had lived there.

Early records of the name mention Ulf de Askwith, who was documented in 1219 in County Yorkshire, and Adam de Askequith appears in 1297 in County Surrey. Edward Asquith of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379.

A notable member of the name was Herbert Henry Asquith. 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith (1852-1928) the British Liberal statesman, born in Yorkshire. He was called to the bar in 1876, and was Liberal member for east Fife from 1886 until 1918. He became Home Secretary in 1892, and Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1905 until 1908, and became Prime Minister in April 1908.

The associated coat of arms is recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Ulster King of Arms in 1884.