| ![Show Contents]() Astell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England Early Origins of the Astell familyThe surname Astell 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 Astell familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Astell 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 Astell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Astell Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Astell has been recorded under many different variations, including Astell, Astel, Astill, Astil, Asstel, Asstil, Asthul, Asthule, Astle, Atsell and many more. Early Notables of the Astell familyDistinguished members of the family include - William Astell, (d. 1847) was elected to the court of directors of the East India Company in 1800 and served on it for an unprecedented period of 47 years. In 1807 he was returned to the House of Comm...
 Astell migration to the United States | + |
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Astell or a variant listed above:
Astell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Mary Astell, who sailed to Maryland in 1726
| Contemporary Notables of the name Astell (post 1700) | + |
- Mary Astell (1668-1731), English religious writer
- Betty Astell (1912-2005), British actress
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.
- 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
|
Astell migration to the United States 
