Show ContentsAugstein History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German state of Saxony is the glorious birthplace of the distinguished surname Augstein. In the medieval era, the German lands were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The ancient dukedom of Saxony derived its name from the Germanic tribe name the Saxons who inhabited the territory after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Early Origins of the Augstein family

The surname Augstein was first found in Silesia, where the name is considered to have made an early contribution to the feudal society which became the backbone of early development in Europe. The name became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the savage tribal and national conflicts, each group seeking power and status in an ever-changing territorial profile. The actual origin of the name as it was used in Germany is St. Augustine (354-430,) one of the founders of the Christian church, and it is not surprising that many pious Germans baptized their children with his name; its many variations soon took on the character of a family name as well.

Early History of the Augstein family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Augstein research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1490, 1497, 1643 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Augstein History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Augstein Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Augustin, Augustins, Augustine, Augstein, Augstien, Augsten and many more.

Early Notables of the Augstein family

Notables of the period with the surname Augstein were Augustin von Hamersteten, who was a 15th century knight in the service of the Emperor, and later of the Elector of Saxony after 1490; Marx Augustin (1643-1685), an Austrian minstrel...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Augstein Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Augstein family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: George Michael Augustin, who settled in Philadelphia in 1820; Josef Augustin came with his wife Isabel Garcia and their son to Louisiana in 1778; Christoph Heinrich Augustinus arrived in Philadelphia in 1766.


Contemporary Notables of the name Augstein (post 1700) +

  • Rudolf Augstein (b. 1923), part-owner and publisher of the highly influential "Spiegel" magazine based in Hamburg


The Augstein 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: Cominus et eminus
Motto Translation: In close or distant combat.


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