Asten History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Asten has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in the place named Aston, in the county of Stafford.

Early Origins of the Asten family

The surname Asten was first found in the counties of Cheshire and Lancashire.

Aston-By-Sutton in Cheshire was of particular significance to the family. "The manor [of Aston-By-Sutton] belonged as early as the reign of Wm. I. to the family of Aston, of whom Thomas Aston was created a Baronet by Charles I. in 1628; he was an officer in the king's service, and was actively engaged in the civil war, as was also Sir Arthur Aston, who was a personal friend of Charles. The title became extinct in the commencement of the eighteenth century. Aston Hall, a handsome mansion, built about the close of the 17th century, and surrounded by an extensive park, is the seat of Sir Arthur Ingram Aston, G.C.B.; it stands on elevated ground, and commands fine views of the estuary of the Weaver, and of the Lancashire shore on the north-west." 1

The township of Liscard, again in Cheshire had early records of the family: "In the reign of Edward I., the manor was held under the barons of Halton by Richard de Aston." 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists: Roger de Astun in Salop (Shropshire); Thomas de Aston in Lancashire; William de Aston in Herefordshire; and John de Ascheton in Somerset. Roger de Assheton was found in Lancashire, 20 Edward I. The Yorkshire Polls Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes de Aston; Johannes Aystyn; Henricus Astyn; and Willelmus Aston. 2 Richard de Aston held the Prebendary of Finsbury in 1358.

"Ashton is also a Lancashire place name. The Asshetons belonged to a notable family that for many centuries played a conspicuous part in the county; the Asshetons of Downham and Midleton, going back to the 15th and 16th centuries, were amongst the oldest branches." 3 Guppy continues to note that "the Ashtons of this county, who are numerous on the Yorkshire border, similarly derive their name from places in Derbyshire."

Later, some of the family were found much father to the north in Scotland. There, Roger Aschtoun had a pension in 1585 from the fruits of part of the bishopric of Ross and later, Sebastian Ashton, was burgess of Linlithgow, 1688. 4

Early History of the Asten family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Asten research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1485, 1558, 1584, 1590, 1600, 1606, 1609, 1621, 1633, 1637, 1639, 1641, 1642, 1645, 1649, 1656, 1678 and 1714 are included under the topic Early Asten History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Asten Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Asten have been found, including Aston, Asten, Astyn, Astin, Astyne, Astley and others.

Early Notables of the Asten family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Thomas de Aston, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1350; Hugh Aston (c. 1485-1558), an English composer; Sir Arthur Aston (1590-1649), English professional soldier who supported King Charles I in the English Civil War; Sir Thomas Aston, 1st Baronet (1600-1645), English politician who fought for the...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Asten Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Asten family to Ireland

Some of the Asten family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Asten family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Asten, or a variant listed above: Robert Aston, settled in Virginia in 1634; soon after the Mayflower; William Aston settled in Barbados in 1635; Edward in Barbados in 1634; James in Bermuda in 1635.

Contemporary Notables of the name Asten (post 1700) +

Charles Asten, Canadian-born, Quarter Gunner in the United States Navy during the American Civil War, recipient of the Medal of Honor May 5th, 1864

The Asten Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Numine et patriae asto
Motto Translation: I stand by God and my country.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)