Astman History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of AstmanWhat does the name Astman mean? The name Astman comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name for a person who was of grace or favorable protection. The surname Astman originally derived from the Old English word Eastmund which referred to grace. 1 The surname Astman belongs to a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames. Nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. Early Origins of the Astman familyThe surname Astman was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Estmunt was listed in Suffolk. 2 Over a century later, Ricardus filius Estmund was listed in the Pipe Rills for Essex in 1195, and later again, Esmond (surname only) was listed 1313-14. Stephen Estmund was listed in the Assize Rolls of Berkshire in 1227 and Geoffrey Astmund was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester in 1275. John Eastmunde was listed in the Assize Rolls of Somerset in 1277 and Alan Esmund was listed in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1285. 1 Many of the family were found in Cambridgeshire where the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Geoffrey Estmund; Cecil Estmond; Hugh Estmund; and John Estmond as all holding lands there at that time. 3 In Somerset, John Estmond was listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 4 To the far south in Dorset the Eastmond spelling was more prevalent. This entry of the plight of one Catholic family is interesting: "Of this family I can glean nothing whatever, except from Rymer's 'Foedera,' tom, xviii. p. 392, where we learn the complaint of the House of Commons to King Charles, that in the house of Mary Eastmond, in Dorsetshire, had been discovered, by two justices of the peace, divers copes, altars, chalices, &c., who thereupon tendered to her the oath of allegiance and supremacy, and upon her refusing it, committed her to the constable, from whose custody she made her escape; yet that Secretary Lord Conway had written to those justices in her favour." 5 Early History of the Astman familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Astman research. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1285, 1303, 1570 and 1646 are included under the topic Early Astman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Astman Spelling VariationsOnly recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Astman has undergone many spelling variations, including Eastman, Eastmunt, Esmund, Estman, Yeastman, Eestman, Eastmun, Eastmen, Eastmin and many more. Early Notables of the Astman familyAnother 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Astman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Astman family to IrelandSome of the Astman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Astman were among those contributors: Astman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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