Show ContentsAstburie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Astburie family

The surname Astburie 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 Astburie family

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

Astburie Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Astburie were recorded, including Astbury, Astbry, Astbrey, Asprey, Aspry, Astbray, Astburie and many more.

Early Notables of the Astburie 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 Astburie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Astburie family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Astburie family emigrate to North America: 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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