Astyne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The ancestors of the name Astyne date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Astyne family lived in the place named Aston, in the county of Stafford.

Early Origins of the Astyne family

The surname Astyne 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 Astyne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Astyne 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 Astyne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Astyne 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 Astyne 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 Astyne include: Aston, Asten, Astyn, Astin, Astyne, Astley and others.

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

Migration of the Astyne family to Ireland

Some of the Astyne 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 Astyne 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 Astyne 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.

The Astyne 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)