Contents [hide]

Astle History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Astle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Astle family

The surname Astle 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 Astle family

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

Astle Spelling Variations

Astle has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Astell, Astel, Astill, Astil, Asstel, Asstil, Asthul, Asthule, Astle, Atsell and many more.

Early Notables of the Astle family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Henry Hatsell (1641-1714), English judge, son of Henry Hatsell of Saltram, in the parish of Plympton St. Mary, Devonshire. 6William Astell, (d. 1847) was elected to the court of directors of the East India Company in 1800 and served on it...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Astle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Astle Ranking

In the United States, the name Astle is the 17,068^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7

Astle migration to Canada +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Astles to arrive on North American shores:

Astle Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

James Astle, who landed in Quebec in 1784

Astle Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

In Canada John Astle was recorded in Ontario in 1830

Astle migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Astle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Astle, English convict who was convicted in Derby, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 8

Astle migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Astle Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Charles Astle, aged 31, a carpenter, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1842 9
Sarah Astle, aged 33, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1842 9
Thomas Astle, aged 9, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1842 9
Mary Astle, aged 7, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1842 9
Harriet Astle, aged 4, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1842 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Astle (post 1700) +

William Pierce “Buck” Astle (1902-1983), American football player and coach
John Astle (b. 1943), American politician, Member of the Maryland Senate from the 30th district (1995)
W. P. Astle, American politician, Mayor of Newton, Kansas, 1955 10
John C. Astle, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Maryland State Senate 30th District; Elected 1998 10
Thomas Astle FRS FRSE FSA (1735-1803), English antiquary and palaeographer, born on 22 Dec. 1736 at Yoxall on the borders of Needwood Forest in Staffordshire, and was the son of Daniel Astle, keeper of the forest, a descendant of an old family of the county 11
Jeffrey "Jeff" Astle (1942-2002), nicknamed "the King, " an English footballer who played from 1959 to 1977, member of the England National Team
Lisa Marie Astle (b. 1973), former New Zealand international cricketer
John-Charles "JC" Astle (b. 1990), South African rugby union player
Alec Morrison Astle (b. 1949), former New Zealand cricketer
David Astle (b. 1961), Australian writer of non-fiction, fiction and plays and television cohost
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Astle 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: Sub cruce glorior
Motto Translation: I glorify under the cross.

Citations +

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
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 7th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 6 June 2019