A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Astry family of England.
Reg. 4600 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Barry wavy of six ar. and az. on a chief gu. three bezants”
BedfordWood-end · Bedford, c. 1620
Where the Astry Arms Were Recorded
Bedford
Map of England showing where the Astry arms are recorded
The Astry arms were recorded in Bedford, c. 1620.
Bedfordshire was small, flat farming country close to London. Its manors were held by middling families rather than great ones, but a manor was a manor, and holding one brought 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 Astry 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 Bedford.
Origin & History of the Astry Family in England
The family name Astry has roots that trace back to the English county of Bedfordshire, where members of the family were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. During this era, the name was closely linked to the local gentry and the administration of regional affairs. Historical records from the 1620s show that the family held significant influence in Bedford, often participating in the legal and social structures of the town. As the family grew in prominence, they became known for their involvement in land management and public service, which helped solidify their standing within the local community. Over time, the name became synonymous with the history of the region, reflecting the steady rise of a family that played a quiet but essential role in the development of Bedfordshire society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aster
Derived from the Greek word for a star.
This name
AstryAn occupational surname for a maker of star-shaped ornaments or a habitational name for someone living near star-shaped landmarks.
also spelled
Astrie
Related arms
Austreysame arms
Ostrichsame arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blaydes, Frederic Augustus, Genealogia Bedfordiensis; being a collection of evidences relating chiefly to the landed gentry of Bedfordshire, A.D. 1538-1700, 1890
Page, William, The Victoria History of the County of Bedford, 1904
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
