This most interesting surname is of Old Scandinavian (Norse) origin, and is a Norman form of the Old Norse personal name "Asketill", which is composed of the Scandinavian elements "oss, ass", god, and "ketill", sacrificial cauldron. It was a popular male personal name before the Norman Conquest of 1066, having been introduced by Viking invaders in earlier times, and is found in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Aschil". Asketimus filius Od was recorded in the "Documents illustrative of the Social and Economic History of the Danelaw", in 1163, and Robertus filius Astin was mentioned in 1219 in the Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire.
The surname itself was first recorded in the early 13th Century (see below), and one Hugh Astyn was listed is the Assize Court Rolls of Yorkshire in 1297. John Asketyn and William Hastin were both noted in the Assize Court Rolls of Kent in 1317. Recordings from London Church Registers include: the marriage of Ales Astin and Amys Allin at St. Margaret's, Westminster, on April 13th 1602, and the marriage of Henrie Astin and Jane Ginninges on October 16th 1615, at St. Dunstan's, Stepney. William Astin was buried in the parish of St. Michael's, in the Barbadoes, on July 30th 1678. The name is also found in the modern idiom as Askin, Astins, Ashken, Haskin, Haskins and Hasting. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Astin, which was dated 1230, in the "Pipe Rolls of Devonshire", during the reign of King Henry 111, known as "The Frenchman", 1216 - 1272. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Research into the possible origins of astin leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname astin is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of astin.
There is a considerable probability that astin has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where astin is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname astin provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.
The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named astin are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname astin, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of astin developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname astin.
It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of astin could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about astin and send it to us, we will update it on this website.
We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname astin, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname astin were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname astin, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname astin who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
The bibliography collects information related to the surname astin, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of astin are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of astin.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of astin, and at the same time, of surnames in general.