Show ContentsAstberey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Astberey family

The surname Astberey was first found in Cheshire at Astbury, a parish, chiefly in the union of Congleton, consisting of the townships of Eaton and Somerford-Booths in the hundred of Macclesfield. 1

This parish dates back to 1093 (shortly after the Norman Conquest in 1066) when it was known as Astbury and literally meant "east manor or stronghold." 2 However, another source claims the parish meant "east castle or fort." 3

Early rolls show that William de Astbury was listed here in Cheshire in the Assize Rolls of 1287. 4

Early History of the Astberey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Astberey research. Another 60 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1688, 1690, 1720 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Astberey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Astberey Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Astberey are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Astberey include: Astbury, Astbry, Astbrey, Asprey, Aspry, Astbray, Astburie and many more.

Early Notables of the Astberey family

Distinguished members of the family include John Astbury (1688-1743), an English potter credited with innovations and improvements in earthenware associated with Staffordshire figures. He "introduced himself disguised as an idiot to the wworks of two brothers named Elers, of Nürnberg, who had settled at Bradwell, Staffordshire, about 1690. He discovered the secrets of their manufacture of red ware, and, obtaining his discharge on pretence of sickness, set up a rival establishment at Shelton...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Astberey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Astberey family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Astberey or a variant listed above: Henry Aspray, who settled in Virginia in 1666; Thomas W. Astbury, who was naturalized in Philadelphia in 1877; and John and Edward Catherton Astbury, who were recorded in Sacramento County, California between 1866 and 1871..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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