Astill History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Astill family

The surname Astill was first found in Northamptonshire at Astwell, a hamlet, partly in the parish of Syresham, but chiefly in the parish of Wapenham, union of Brackley; hundred of King's Sutton. 1 2

While this is the prevailing origin of the name, another credible source notes that the name could have a patronymic name "derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Asketel,' one of the many corruptions of this early and popular name. " 3

Indeed the earliest listings of the family were as both a forename and a surname. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Astill filius Wilfriche, Oxfordshire; Astell Propositus, Oxfordshire; William Astil, Oxfordshire; Peter Askyl, Cambridgeshire; Alan Askil, Cambridgeshire; Stephen Astel, Cambridgeshire; and Simon Astil, Buckinghamshire. 3

The History of Norfolk listed Hugh Astel, as rector of Aylmerton, Norfolk, 1371; and Nicholas Astell, as vicar of Stradset, Norfolk, 1450. 4

We would be remiss if we did not mention the Cornish branch of the family. St, Austell was their home, a parish, which is situated in the east division of the hundred of Powder.

"There are few parishes in Cornwall, on the origin of whose name more doubts have been entertained. From this place was denominated an old family of gentlemen, De Austell, of which family William de Austell was sheriff of Cornwall in the reign of Edward III. which was prior to the middle of the fourteenth century. His grandson John de Austell was also sheriff of the county in the twenty-fifth of Henry VI. ; and in the two following years he enjoyed the same honours for Somerset and Dorset." 5

Early History of the Astill family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Astill research. Another 178 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1225, 1349, 1379, 1532, 1641, 1668, 1675, 1697, 1714, 1722, 1731, 1735, 1800, 1807, 1841 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Astill History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Astill Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Astill has been spelled many different ways, including Astell, Astel, Astill, Astil, Asstel, Asstil, Asthul, Asthule, Astle, Atsell and many more.

Early Notables of the Astill family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Henry Hatsell (1641-1714), English judge, son of Henry Hatsell of Saltram, in the parish of Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire. 6William Astell, (d. 1847) was elected to the court of directors of the East India Company in 1800 and served on it...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Astill Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Astill migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Astill Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Astill, English stocking maker who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7
James Astill, English convict from Warwick, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia 8

Astill 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:

Astill Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Astill, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Cossipore" in 1857

Contemporary Notables of the name Astill (post 1700) +

Kenneth Astill (1920-2007), American professor of mechanical engineering at Tufts University
Len Astill (1916-1990), English former footballer
Ewart Astill (1888-1948), English Test cricketer
William Astill, British cricketer
Grenville Astill, British archaeology professor at the University of Reading
Bruce Astill (b. 1955), Australian rugby league footballer
Adam Astill, British actor, known for his role as Simon Bennett in the BBC television drama series Mistresses (2008–2010)

The Astill 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: Sub cruce glorior
Motto Translation: I glorify under the cross.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. 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)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 27) Andromeda voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1832 with 186 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1832