This rare and interesting surname, recorded as Astie and Asty, is of English origin, and is derived from the nickname "Anstie", which was later abbreviated to Astie. The name is metronymic (from the mother), and was given to the son of Anastasia, which is a female personal name, derived from the Greek meaning "resurrection". The personal name became fashionable in England in the 13th Century, although it was usually abbreviated to Ansty and Anstice, which later developed into surnames. Astie is one of a handful of surnames surviving which were derived from the name of the first bearer's mother. This is because European society has been patriarchal throughout history, and as a result, the given name of the male head of the household has been handed on as a distinguishing name to successive generations. Recordings of the surname from London Church Registers include the christening of Ambrose, son of Ambrose and Ann Asty, on March 19th 1695, at All Hallows, Staining. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Adam Asty, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Kent", during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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