| ![Show Contents]() Eastman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Eastman was formed many centuries ago by the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name typically given to a person who was of grace or favorable protection. The surname Eastman originally derived from the Old English word Eastmund which referred to grace. 1 The surname Eastman belongs to a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames. Nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. Early Origins of the Eastman familyThe surname Eastman was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Estmunt was listed in Suffolk. 2 Over a century later, Ricardus filius Estmund was listed in the Pipe Rills for Essex in 1195, and later again, Esmond (surname only) was listed 1313-14. Stephen Estmund was listed in the Assize Rolls of Berkshire in 1227 and Geoffrey Astmund was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester in 1275. John Eastmunde was listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1277 and Alan Esmund was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1285. 1 Many of the family were found in Cambridgeshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Geoffrey Estmund; Cecil Estmond; Hugh Estmund; and John Estmond as all holding lands there at that time. 3 In Somerset, John Estmond was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 4 To the far south in Dorset the Eastmond spelling was more prevalent. This entry of the plight of one Catholic family is interesting: "Of this family I can glean nothing whatever, except from Rymer's 'Foedera,' tom, xviii. p. 392, where we learn the complaint of the House of Commons to King Charles, that in the house of Mary Eastmond, in Dorsetshire, had been discovered, by two justices of the peace, divers copes, altars, chalices, &c., who thereupon tendered to her the oath of allegiance and supremacy, and upon her refusing it, committed her to the constable, from whose custody she made her escape; yet that Secretary Lord Conway had written to those justices in her favour." 5 Early History of the Eastman familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eastman research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1285, 1303, 1570 and 1646 are included under the topic Early Eastman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Eastman Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Eastman include Eastman, Eastmunt, Esmund, Estman, Yeastman, Eestman, Eastmun, Eastmen, Eastmin and many more. Early Notables of the Eastman familyAnother 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eastman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Eastman RankingIn the United States, the name Eastman is the 1,661st most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 6 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Eastman is ranked the 674th most popular surname with an estimated 65 people with that name. 7  Migration of the Eastman family to Ireland
Some of the Eastman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Eastman migration to the United States | + |
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:
Eastman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Roger Eastman, aged 25, who arrived aboard the ship "Confidence" in 1638 in New England and Boston stated, bound for Salisbury. 8
- Mary Eastman, who immigrated to Maryland in 1671
- John Eastman, who arrived in Salisbury, Massachusetts in 1691 8
Eastman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Edward Eastman, who immigrated to Virginia in 1771
- Abel Eastman, who settled in Mississippi in 1788
- Abel Eastman, who landed in Mississippi in 1799 8
Eastman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Adolph Eastman, who arrived in Mobile County, Ala in 1843 8
- Sherman Eastman, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 8
- W W Eastman, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 8
- M Eastman, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 8
- F Eastman, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 8
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Eastman migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Eastman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century- Mr. Benjamin Eastman U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 9
- Mr. Benjamin Eastman U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 9
- Mr. David Eastman U.E. who settled in Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Penobscot Association 9
- Mr. Nadab Eastman U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 9
Eastman Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Cordelia Eastman, who was recorded in the 1871 census of Ontario
| Eastman migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Eastman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- John Eastman, English convict from Devon, who was transported aboard the "Argyle" on March 5th, 1831, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 10
- George Eastman, English Convict from Bristol, who was transported aboard the "Aboukir" on December 24, 1851, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 11
- Thomas Eastman, aged 30, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Shackamaxon" 12
- James Eastman, aged 13, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Carnatic"
| Eastman migration to New Zealand | + |
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Eastman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- T. Eastman, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "La Escocesa" in 1876
| Eastman migration to West Indies | + |
The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 13Eastman Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century- James Eastman, who arrived in Barbados in 1679
| Contemporary Notables of the name Eastman (post 1700) | + |
- George Eastman (1854-1932), American founder of the Eastman Kodak Company, inventor of roll of film
- Philip Dey "Phil" Eastman (1909-1986), American screenwriter, children's author, and illustrator who worked at Walt Disney Productions
- Lee Eastman (1910-1991), born Leopold Vail Epstein, American business attorney, and art collector, father of Linda Eastman, former wife of Paul McCartney
- Kevin Brooks Eastman (b. 1962), American comic book artist and writer, best known as the co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- John H. Eastman (1861-1938), American businessman and politician, Mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana (1910-1914)
- Charles Alexander Eastman (1858-1939), Native American physician, writer, national lecturer, and reformer, one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America
- Carole Eastman (1934-2004), American Academy Award nominated screenwriter
- Arthur Eastman, American educator
- Max Forrester Eastman, socialist American writer
- Marilyn Eastman (b. 1927), American actress
- ... (Another 60 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Historic Events for the Eastman family | + |
Arrow Air Flight 1285 - Mr. Michael Christopher Eastman (1951-1985), American Captain from Plymouth, New Hampshire, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 14
- Mr. Charles Eastman (d. 1912), aged 44, English Greaser from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 15
| Suggested Readings for the name Eastman | + |
- The Eastmans from Lockport, New York by Peter M. Rinaldo.
- The Puritan Ancestors, in America, of Georgia Ann Eastman, Mrs. William Morris Bennett by Russell White Bennett.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
- Oliver, George, Collections Illustrating the History of the Catholic Religion in the Counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, and Gloucester London: Charles Dolman, 61, New Bond Street, 1857. Print
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
- State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2015, January 8) Argyle voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1831 with 251 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/argyle/1831
- State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 18) Aboukir voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Norfolk Island. [These convicts appear to have all landed in Van Diemen's Land], Australia in 1851 with 280 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/aboukir/1851
- South Australian Register Thursday 20 January 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SHACKAMAXON 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/shackamaxon1853.shtml
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
- American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550
- Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
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Eastman migration to the United States 
Eastman migration to Canada 
Eastman migration to Australia 
Eastman migration to New Zealand 
Eastman migration to West Indies 
England
Ireland
