It is named after Dr John Ash who built a neo-classical mansion in what was then open countryside at the corner of Barrack Street and Great Brook Street in 1771.

This mansion was rebuilt as the church of St James the Less and the surrounding area was developed as gentrified housing in the 1780's.

A military barracks with 150 cavalrymen protected its wealthy inhabitants from the Birmingham Riots of 1789-91.

However, the area deteriorated after the Digbeth Branch Canal was cut in 1799  to be followed by the Grand Junction Railway in 1838.

These routes attracted industrial development and the Ashted mansions were eventually replaced by Victorian factories and slums.

Ashted was rebuilt again in the 1960's as the Nechells Green housing estate with an industrial zone west of Windsor Street.

The name Ashted, which has since fallen into disuse, only survives in a few places, such as Ashted Circus on the Middle Ring Road, Ashted Walk in Duddeston and the Ashted Locks on the Digbeth Branch Canal.