The name Ashli is derived from the Old English name Æscwine, which means "ash tree friend" or "dweller by the ash trees." The name was common among the Anglo-Saxons and can be traced back to the 5th century CE. It was originally a masculine name but later became popular as a feminine name as well.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Ashli is found in the Domesday Book, a survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Æscwine" and is listed as the name of a landowner in Oxfordshire.

One of the earliest notable figures with the name Ashli was Æscwine, a Benedictine monk and scholar who lived in the late 11th century. He was known for his writings on theology and his work in preserving ancient manuscripts.

In the 12th century, there was a notable English noblewoman named Ashli de Quincy, who was the daughter of Saher de Quincy, 1st Earl of Winchester. She was born around 1155 and married Robert de Beaumont, 4th Earl of Leicester.

During the 13th century, Ashli de Stuteville was a prominent English landowner and baron. He was born around 1220 and served as a justice and ambassador for King Henry III.

In the late 15th century, there was a Scottish writer and poet named Ashli Barclay, who was known for his work "The Ship of Fools," a satirical work that criticized the corruption and excesses of his time.

Another notable figure with the name Ashli was Ashli Jenkinson, an English explorer and traveler who lived in the 16th century. He is best known for his travels to Russia and Central Asia, and his accounts of these regions were influential in their time.

While the name Ashli has its roots in Old English, it has been used in various forms and spellings throughout history, including Aeshley, Asheley, and Ashley. The name has been popular in both England and the United States, and has been borne by many notable figures, writers, and artists.