Surname Astor - Meaning and Origin
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Astor: What does the surname Astor mean?
The last name Astor is of German and Old French origin and suggests an upper-class background. It has two possible meanings; either derived from the ancient German title 'Eschtor' meaning 'royal falconer' or from the Old French word 'astor' meaning 'goshawk', both referring to the bird itself and also to service as a falconer in medieval times.
The Astor family is an American dynasty dating back to the 1700s, when John Jacob Astor immigrated from Baden, Germany and made his fortune in the fur trade. He went on to amass vast wealth and become one of the wealthiest people in the world at the time. His success was followed by generations of Astors that rose to prominence in numerous industries, including real estate, banking, mining, and media.
Today, the Astor family is more notable for their leadership in philanthropy, supporting causes in the U.S. and around the world. They continue to have a long-lasting positive impact on society and have made frequent donations to educational organizations as well as medical, social, and religious causes.
The Astor family is a vibrant living example of an unbroken American legacy—one that has been intertwined in the history of the United States for many years. Holding an impressive place in society, the Astor name still carries the same ideals of nobility, leadership, and success that first earned it distinction centuries ago.
Order DNA origin analysisAstor: Where does the name Astor come from?
The Astor family name is most commonly found today in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Astor family was originally of German origin, and the first of the family to arrive in America was John Jacob Astor in 1784. He made his fortune in fur trading and investing, and his descendants went on to become the wealthiest family in the United States, amassing an enormous fortune.
The Astors ultimately lost much of their money in the Panic of 1907, and the family became much less prominent. Nonetheless, many Astors continued to live in well-to-do societies around the world.
Today, there are still many descendants of the Astor family who live in the United States, primarily in New York City. They continue to carry on the family legacy as successful business people, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, socialites, and political figures.
The Astor surname can also be found in the United Kingdom. While the family's main base was in the United States, many members moved to Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming part of the British aristocracy.
The Astor name can also be found in other parts of the world, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is especially common in places where British settlers made their homes.
Overall, the Astor name remains widespread today, a testament to the dynasty the family built. Although the fortune may have been lost, the Astor family's impact on American culture and business is still felt in various parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Astor
The surname 'Astor' is an English name originating from the Anglo-Norman French word 'astor' which means 'hawk'. Variants and spellings of this surname include:
- Asthor
- Astir
- Astere
- Astur
- Astour
- Astore
- Astorre
- Astore
- Astor
Surnames with a similar origin or are variants of 'Astor' may include:
- Easter
- Easterly
- Esterly
- Astley
- Astwood
- Astorquia
- Astley
- Eastwood
- Ashton
- Easton
- Estes
- Esteso
- Osten
- Osterholm
- Osterhout
- Osterman
- Estorque
- Estorff
- Ostroff
- Ostrow
- Ostrander
- Estrov
- Ostrovenko
Often surnames may change and adapt to different cultures and regions – some of these surnames adapted to the Spanish culture may include:
- Astur/Asturias
- Asti
- Astarloa
- Astudillo
- Astorga
- Astoaga
- Astiz/Astiz.
Surnames will often alter greatly according to the language of their region. This can be seen with 'Astor', where many of its variants are similar to its Anglo-Norman roots but can often differ slightly to suit the language of its region. Some variants may be unique to certain cultures such as Spanish surnames, which often begin with either 'Ast' or 'Est' in order to denote a variation of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Astor
- John Jacob Astor IV (1864-1912): An American businessman, real estate builder, investor, and member of the prominent Astor family.
- Brooke Astor (1902-2007): An American socialite, philanthropist, and writer who was a prominent member of the Astor family.
- William Waldorf Astor (1848-1919): An American financier, diplomat, newspaper publisher, philanthropist, and member of the prominent Astor family.
- William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor (1891-1971): An English politician and a member of the prominent Astor family.
- Ava Astor (1982-): An American socialite and a member of the prominent Astor family.
- Dina Merrill (1923-2017): An American actress, businesswoman, philanthropist, and socialite, also known as Nedenia Marjorie Hutton—the adopted daughter of Edward Francis Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Post, who both had ties to the Astor family.
- Judy Astor (1925-2017): An American socialite and philanthropist also known as Judith Walker May.
- John Jacob Astor IV (1886-1971): An American lawyer, philanthropist, and a member of the prominent Astor family.
- Madeleine Force Astor (1893–1940): An American socialite and a member of the prominent Astor family.
- Carol Astor (1920-2016): An American socialite, pastry chef, and interior designer.