Astane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The present generation of the Astane family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the place named Aston, in the county of Stafford.

Early Origins of the Astane family

The surname Astane 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 Astane family

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

Astane Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Astane include Aston, Asten, Astyn, Astin, Astyne, Astley and others.

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

Migration of the Astane family to Ireland

Some of the Astane 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 Astane family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Astane were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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 Astane 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)