Map of England showing where the Austin arms are recorded
The Austin arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1611.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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 Austin 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Austin Family in England
The surname Austin is a shortened form of the Latin name Augustinus, which translates to majestic or venerable. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the name remained popular throughout Europe due to the influence of Saint Augustine of Canterbury and Saint Augustine of Hippo. By the time the name became established in England, it evolved into a common hereditary surname. Records confirm that members of the Austin family were well-settled in the county of Surrey by 1611. During this period, families with this name were often involved in local agriculture and trade, helping to build the foundations of the communities where they lived. As the family grew, they spread across different regions, yet their presence in areas like Surrey highlights their long-standing roots in English history.
Austin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Augustinus
Derived from the Latin word augustus meaning venerable or majestic.
This name
AustinA medieval form of the name Augustine, signifying a person of great dignity or majesty.
also spelled
Austyn
Austen
Ostin
Astin
Related arms
Austenvariant spelling
Austynvariant spelling
Bamfieldrecorded with Austin, same area
Bedwellrecorded with Austin, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Surrey History Centre, Quarter Sessions Records, 1611
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
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