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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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The Austin family name is derived from the given name Austin, which was the vernacular form of the Latin name "Augustus", meaning "majestic." As a personal name, Augustine was popular due to St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) who had a great influence on early Christianity, as well as St Augustine of Canterbury, first Archbishop of Canterbury, who founded the oldest see in England, in 597.

Early Origins of the Austin family

The surname Austin was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia where they held a family seat from ancient times.

"A whole column of Austin appears in the London Directory. The name was made common by the Austin Friars, or Black Canons, as they were often styled from their black cloaks, who were established early in the 12th century in England, and possessed of about 170 houses." [1]

"It is confined for the most part to the central and eastern counties of the south of England; and does not extend in any frequency north of Derbyshire or west of Dorset. The counties of Kent and Oxford contain the greatest numbers of Austins. In the thirteenth century it was a common name in Cambridgeshire." [2]

Early History of the Austin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Austin research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1538, 1580, 1613, 1629, 1641, 1642, 1643, 1645, 1650, 1660, 1661, 1664, 1666, 1667, 1669, 1676, 1679, 1681, 1683, 1696, 1697, 1699, 1701, 1706, 1728, 1734, 1743 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Austin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Austin Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Austin include Austin, Austins, Austen, Austeane, Ostian, Ousteane, Owstyne, Ostiane and many more.

Early Notables of the Austin family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • John Austin or Austen (1613-1669), an English lawyer and controversial writer from Walpole, Suffolk

Austin World Ranking

In the United States, the name Austin is the 196th most popular surname with an estimated 129,324 people with that name. [3] However, in Canada, the name Austin is ranked the 670th most popular surname with an estimated 7,825 people with that name. [4] And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Austin is the 641st popular surname with an estimated 69 people with that name. [5] Australia ranks Austin as 278th with 12,519 people. [6] New Zealand ranks Austin as 251st with 2,407 people. [7] The United Kingdom ranks Austin as 255th with 23,467 people. [8]

Ireland Migration of the Austin family to Ireland

Some of the Austin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

United States Austin migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Austin or a variant listed above:

Austin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Austin, aged 26, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Speedwell" [9]
  • Jo Austin, aged 24, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Elizabeth" [9]
  • Mr. Austin, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 [9]
  • Francis Austin, who landed in Dedham, Massachusetts in 1638 [9]
  • Mr. Richard Austin, (b. 1598), aged 40, British tailor from Bishop's Stoke, Hampshire traveling aboard the ship "Bevis" arriving in New England in 1638 with his wife and 2 children heading to Charlestown [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Austin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • George Austin, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1734 [9]
  • Adam Austin, who arrived in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1782 [9]
  • David Austin, an early saddle-bag preacher who was ordained in the Presbytery of New York in 1788
  • J Austin, who landed in Mississippi in 1798 [9]
Austin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Austin, the great grandfather of Rutherford Hayes, known as the "Forgotten President of the U.S.A."
  • Charles Austin, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1825 [9]
  • Mr. William Austin, (b. 1799), aged 33, Cornish gardener departing from Plymouth aboard the ship "Andromeda" arriving in the United States on 10th May 1832 [11]
  • E T Austin, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 [9]
  • B C Austin, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 [9]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Austin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Thomas H Austin, (b. 1881), aged 22, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 12th September 1903 en route to Calumet, Michigan, UCA [12]

Canada Austin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Austin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Catherine Austin, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Mr. Caleb Austin, U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who settled in Carleton, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 [13]
  • Mr. Chris Austin, Jr., U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who settled in Eastern District, Upper Canada c. 1783 he was widowed before settling [13]
  • Mr. James Austin, U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 352 on board the "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River New York [13]
  • Mr. Joel Austin, U.E., United Empire Loyalist, who settled in Home District, South Central Ontario c. 1783 [13]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Austin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Isaac Austin, who arrived in Canada in 1828
  • James Austin, aged 30, a shoemaker, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Elizabeth" from Galway, Ireland
  • Jane Austin, aged 25, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Elizabeth" from Galway, Ireland
  • Benjamin Austin, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1837
  • Hiram Austin, who arrived in Canada in 1841
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Austin migration to Australia +

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

Austin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Austin, (b. 1776), aged 27, English farmer who was convicted in Somerset, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1831 [14]
  • Thomas Austin, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia [15]
  • Mr. William Austin, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [16]
  • Mr. David Austin, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Dromedary" on 11th September 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [17]
  • Mr. John Austin, Welsh convict who was convicted in Denbigh, Denbighshire, Wales for 7 years, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [18]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Austin 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:

Austin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Robert Austin, aged 39, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 [19]
  • Ann Austin, aged 33, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 [19]
  • Elizabeth Austin, aged 13, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 [19]
  • Robert Austin, aged 11, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 [19]
  • John Austin, aged 17, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842 [19]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Austin migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [20]
Austin Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century
  • Hugh Williams Austin, who landed in Barbados in 1779 [9]

Contemporary Notables of the name Austin (post 1700) +

  • Dennis Austin (1947-2023), American computer programmer, co-creator of Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Alfredo Federico López Austin (1936-2021), Mexican historian who wrote extensively on the Aztec worldview and on Mesoamerican religion, winner of the National Prize for Arts and Sciences in Fine Arts in 2020
  • Lloyd James Austin III (b. 1953), American retired four-star Army general who is the 28th Secretary of Defense of the United States, the first African American to hold the position
  • Gary Austin (1941-2017), born Gary Moore, an American improvisational theatre teacher, writer, and director
  • Tracy Ann Austin (b. 1962), American former World No. 1 female professional tennis player
  • Gene Austin (1900-1972), American singer and songwriter
  • Charles Austin (b. 1967), American Gold Medal winning high jumper
  • Barry Austin (1968-2021), English man from Chelmsley Wood, West Midlands, England, widely reputed to be the fattest man in the United Kingdom at 50 stone (700 lbs)
  • Herbert Austin (1866-1941), 1st Baron Austin, English English automobile designer and builder who founded the Austin Motor Company
  • Robert Sargent Austin (1895-1973), English etcher
  • ... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Halifax Explosion
  • Mrs. Margaret M  Austin (1861-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [21]
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Joseph Austin (d. 1945), British Warrant Officer Gunner aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking [22]
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Albert G L Austin (b. 1906), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [23]
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. John Sydney Austin, Australian Midshipman from Australia, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking [24]
USS Arizona
  • Mr. Laverne Alfred Austin, American Seaman First Class from New York, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [25]

Suggested Readings for the name Austin +

  • The Austin Family of Bennington, Vermont by Hugh S. Austin.
  • Austin and Rich Genealogy.
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  4. "Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
  5. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  6. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  7. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  8. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  9. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  10. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 6th 2021 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  11. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  12. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retreived 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  13. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
  15. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  17. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dromedary
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  19. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  21. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  22. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  23. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  24. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  25. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html
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