Show ContentsAsterr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • England
Asterr Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Asterr

What does the name Asterr mean?

The surname Asterr has multiple possible origins. First of all, the name could have been from L’Estre, near Valognes, Normandy. 1 In this case, the first record of the family was that of Richard de l’Estre who held lands in Dorset from the time of the Conquest. 2 The same rolls includes an entry for William del Estre, Devon, Henry III-Edward I. 3 In 1165, Richard de l’Estre held a barony of four knights’ fees in Somerset 4

Secondly, the name could have been a nickname for someone who has a connection with the Christian festival of Easter, such as someone born or baptized at that time. 5

Finally, the name could have been derived from a group of villages so named in Essex having derived from the Old English word "eowestre," meaning sheepfold 6 or the Anglo-Saxon word Eásthere or Esthere, derived from "East" + the Old English word "here" meaning "army." 7

Early Origins of the Asterr family

The surname Asterr was first found in Essex. 8 9 A scan of early 12th century records show Jordan del estre in Leicestershire and later the Feet of Fines for Cambridgeshire included Robert del Estre in 1272. John de Estre was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1345. 6

By the time of the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, the name was more widespread as that census includes entries for Robert de le Estre, Suffolk; and Robert del Ester, Cambridgeshire. 3

Early History of the Asterr family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Asterr research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1783 and 1848 are included under the topic Early Asterr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Asterr Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Asterr family name include Astor, Aster, Astur, Astorr, Asterr, Asturr, Estor, Ester, Esturr, Astoria, Estoria, E'Stur, Stur and many more.

Early Notables of the Asterr family

More information is included under the topic Early Asterr Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Asterr family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Asterr family to immigrate North America: J.J. Astor, aged 59; who arrived (with child) in New York in 1822 and moved westward.
  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)
  5. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  7. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  8. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  9. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.

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