Show ContentsChaston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Chaston

What does the name Chaston mean?

The ancestors of the name Chaston date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Chaston family lived in Caston, a small village in the county of Norfolk. The surname was originally seen in the Old English form Cattstun, and was also an occupational name for a person who kept watch over a feudal castle.

Early Origins of the Chaston family

The surname Chaston was first found in Cambridgeshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, Causton in 1086 was held by Hardwin of Scales, a Norman Baron, and, conjecturally, the ancient ancestor of this surname. The village is on Roman Ermine Street, as in Turdor times became a coaching village.

Early History of the Chaston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chaston research. Another 183 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1279, 1327, 1335 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Chaston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chaston Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Chaston are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Chaston include: Chaston, Chasten, Chasteyn, Chauston, Causton, Chastonne, Chastone, Chastenne, Chastein and many more.

Early Notables of the Chaston family

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


Chaston migration to Australia +

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

Chaston Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Chaston, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 2
  • Sara Chaston, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 2
  • Benjamin Chaston, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 2
  • Daniel Chaston, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 2
  • David Chaston, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Eden" in 1838 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Chaston 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:

Chaston Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Arthur Chaston, aged 29, a carpenter, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
  • Sarah Chaston, aged 26, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
  • Emma Chaston, aged 2, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872

Contemporary Notables of the name Chaston (post 1700) +

  • Justin Thomas Chaston (b. 1968), retired Welsh athlete who specialised in the 3000 metres steeplechase, three-time Olympian
  • Colonel Alfred John Chaston CBE MC TD DL (1916-2010), Welsh-born, British Army officer, recipient of the Military Cross
  • Chaston Roston, American politician, Independent Candidate for Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2001 3


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) EDEN 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838Eden.htm
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, March 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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