A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Asten family of England.
Reg. 5054 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a fesse betw. two chev. sa. three crosses or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Asten Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Asten arms are recorded
The Asten arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Asten arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Asten Family in England
The family name Asten is rooted in the historic landscape of Northern England, with clear evidence of the family residing in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, and families like the Astens were often integrated into the local merchant or craft guilds that defined the city’s economy. The name itself is thought to be locational, likely derived from an ancient settlement or a specific geographical feature near a stream or an eastern boundary. As the family established their roots in the shadow of York Minster, they became part of the social fabric of a city that served as the primary administrative hub for the north. By living in such a significant urban center during the early seventeenth century, the early members of the Asten family were positioned to participate in the rapid changes occurring in English society, from the expansion of local commerce to the shifting political climate of the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
East-tun
An enclosure or settlement located in the eastern direction.
This name
AstenA topographic name for someone who lived in a settlement situated to the east of a main village.
also spelled
Astin
Aston
Related arms
Astonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Palliser, D. M., Tudor York, 1979
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains' Account Rolls, 1620
Reaney, P. H. and Wilson, R. M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
