'Ashmolean' originates from English, specifically the surname 'Ashmole' (Elias Ashmole, 1617–1692), where the form 'Ashmolean' was created to denote things belonging to or associated with Ashmole (notably the museum founded from his collection).

'Ashmolean' developed from the surname 'Ashmole' and the possessive/relational formation (originally expressed as 'Ashmole's' or 'Ashmolean collection'); the name was applied to the museum established at Oxford in 1683 and then to adjectival uses.

Initially it meant 'belonging to or associated with Ashmole (his collection)', but over time it became the proper name of the museum ('Ashmolean') and an adjective meaning 'relating to that museum or its founder'.