Austin Where Did the Surname Originate

Over many years of researching , I often wondered where the "AUSTIN " surname originated . I thought Some people with that surname , may also be keen to learn of its early beginnings

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Origins Available: English, Portuguese, Scottish

The Austin family name is derived from the given name Austin, which was the vernacular form of the Latin name "Augustus", meaning "majestic." As a personal name, Augustine was popular due to St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) who had a great influence on early Christianity, as well as St Augustine of Canterbury, first Archbishop of Canterbury, who founded the oldest see in England, in 597.

Early Origins of the Austin family

The surname Austin was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia where they held a family seat from ancient times.
"A whole column of Austin appears in the London Directory. The name was made common by the Austin Friars, or Black Canons, as they were often styled from their black cloaks, who were established early in the 12th century in England, and possessed of about 170 houses." [1]

"It is confined for the most part to the central and eastern counties of the south of England; and does not extend in any frequency north of Derbyshire or west of Dorset. The counties of Kent and Oxford contain the greatest numbers of Austins. In the thirteenth century it was a common name in Cambridgeshire." [2]

Early History of the Austin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Austin research.
Another 223 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1538, 1613, 1669, 1629, 1683, 1676, 1580, 1666, 1660, 1661, 1642, 1696, 1666, 1681, 1641, 1699, 1667, 1679, 1664, 1706, 1699, 1701, 1697, 1743, 1728, 1734, 1650 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Austin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Austin Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Austin include Austin, Austins, Austen, Austeane, Ostian, Ousteane, Owstyne, Ostiane and many more.

Early Notables of the Austin family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include John Austin or Austen (1613-1669), an English lawyer and controversial writer from Walpole, Suffolk; Katherine Austen (1629-ca.1683), English diarist and poet best known for Book M; Ralph Austen (died 1676), an English writer on gardening; Sir Robert Austen, 1st Baronet (c. 1580-1666) of Hall Place...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Austin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Austin family to Ireland

Some of the Austin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 104 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Austin family to the New World and Oceana

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Austin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
Robert Austin, aged 39, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842
Ann Austin, aged 33, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842
Elizabeth Austin, aged 13, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842
Robert Austin, aged 11, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842
John Austin, aged 17, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jane Gifford" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Austin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Thomas Austin, English convict from Norfolk, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia [3]
George Austin, a sawyer, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
William Austin, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on November 13, 1832, settling in New South Wales, Australia [4]
Joseph Austin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1839 [5]
Mary Ann Esther Austin, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Thomas Harrison" in 1839 [5]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)