Surname Astle - Meaning and Origin
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Astle: What does the surname Astle mean?
Astle is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin derived from a geographical locality near a structure such as a building or a castle. It is derived from "east" and "heall", an Old English term that signifies a house, castle, or estate. Hence, strictly speaking, the Astle last name could mean a house located in the east, a castle to the east, or an eastern estate. Surnames during that time period were often based on a person's occupation or location. Therefore, the Astle surname might have been initially used for individuals living near or working at a castle, hall, or house towards the east.
Order DNA origin analysisAstle: Where does the name Astle come from?
The surname Astle originated from England, particularly in areas of Derbyshire and Staffordshire where ancient records indicate its first uses. The name Astle could be a locative surname, derived from the Old English "east halh," which means "east nook" or "eastern piece of land." Thus, it could have been used to denote a person living in such a locality. It might also be a topographic surname, for someone who resided near an eastern hill or a landmark such as a castle (astle) found in many places in the north of England.
Today, individuals bearing the surname Astle can be found in various parts of the world due to migration patterns and the growth of family branches. However, the name is relatively more prevalent in English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Despite this distribution, Astle is still considered a relatively uncommon surname in these countries.
Variations of the surname Astle
The surname Astle appears to mainly have English origins. It's likely an occupational or locational surname. As for its variants, they could range depending on regional pronunciation, illiteracy or simple errors. The variations could include Astel, Astell, Astill, Astele, Aistelle, Astell, Hastle, or even with a prefix like Eastle, Eastell, or Eastill.
Surnames that sound similar or have similar spelling are Astley, Astbury, Aston and Hastie but they are not necessarily variants. These could potentially be mistaken for Astle due to oral tradition playing a key role in spelling, but they are probably of different origins.
A notable surname of the same origin could be Castle, which could have stemmed from the same occupational roots as Astle – a name likely given to a resident at a castle. Inflection at the start of words could evolve differently in various regions, turning ‘Castle’ into ‘Astle’ in some areas. The Irish name Costello could potentially also be related in a very indirect way.
Researching surnames can be a complex process due to regional variations, language evolution, historical events and illiteracy. Therefore, it would be worth delving into further genealogical research to confirm these relations.
Famous people with the name Astle
- Jeff Astle: He was an English professional footballer who played the majority of his career at West Bromwich Albion. Astle also played 5 international games for England and is known for scoring in every round of the 1968 FA Cup.
- Ted Astle: He was a professional rugby player who has represented England on international level.
- Nathan Astle: He is a former New Zealand cricketer known for his aggressive batting. He held the world record for the fastest double century in Test cricket for 15 years.
- Aaron Astle: He is a professional cricketer from New Zealand. He has played for the New Zealand national cricket team and is still active in the professional cricket scene.
- Bill Astle: He was an English footballer who played as an inside forward for various clubs including Sheffield United and Lincoln City during the 1920s and 1930s.
- Dahlia Astle: She is a renowned artist recognized for her lifelike graphite drawings. These are well-known personalities sharing the Astle surname. The Astle family includes prominent individuals in various fields such as sports and art.