The name Ashely originates from the Old English language and is derived from the combination of two words: "æsc" meaning ash tree, and "leah" meaning meadow or clearing. It emerged as a surname in England during the Middle Ages, referring to someone who lived near an ash tree meadow.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Ashely dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as a surname spelled "Asselie" or "Asselegh." During the 13th century, the name was also spelled as "Assheleye" and "Assheley" in various historical records.

One of the earliest known individuals with the name Ashely was Robert de Assheleye, who was mentioned in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1199. Another notable figure was Sir John Ashley, who served as a knight and fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 during the Hundred Years' War.

In the 16th century, the name Ashely gained prominence with the rise of the Ashley family, who were prominent landowners in Wiltshire, England. Sir Anthony Ashley (1551-1628) was a Member of Parliament and served as a high-ranking official under Queen Elizabeth I.

During the 17th century, the name Ashely was further popularized by Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621-1683), a prominent philosopher and political figure who played a significant role in the establishment of constitutional monarchy in England.

Another famous bearer of the name was Maurice Ashley (1675-1736), an English writer and poet who is best known for his work "The Mimic: Or, A Satyr upon the Modern Courtier."

In the 18th century, the name Ashely gained wider recognition with the birth of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797-1851), the acclaimed English novelist and author of the gothic novel "Frankenstein."

As the name transitioned from a surname to a given name, it gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries. While initially more common as a male name, it became increasingly popular as a female name in the 20th century.