Origin of the surname Anstey

This interesting name, with variant spellings Anstie, Anstee and Ansty, is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is locational from any of the various places named with the Olde English pre 7th Century "anstiga", from "an", one, plus "stig", a path, especially a narrow footpath or one up a hill. These places include Anstey in Devonshire, recorded as "Anestige" in the Domesday Book of 1086; Anstey (Dorset), entered as "Anstigan" in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, dated 941; also Anstey in Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire and Wiltshire, recorded respectively as "Hanstige, Anestige, Anstige" and "Anestige" in the Domesday Book for those counties.

The surname first appears on record in the latter part of the 13th Century (see below), and other early recordings include: Richard de Anesty (London, 1273), and Henry Ansty, vicar of Guestwick, Norfolk, 1386. A notable namebearer, recorded in the "Dictionary of National Biography", was Christopher Anstey (1724 - 1805), a scholar and fellow of King's College, Cambridge, who translated Grey's "Elegy" into Latin in 1762. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Roger de Anesti, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire", 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.

The surname Anstey. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The history of the surname anstey is, like that of most surnames, a complex and fascinating journey to ancient times with the aim of unraveling the origin of anstey. We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname anstey, and in addition to the original locations of anstey, we can find out where people with the surname anstey can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of anstey.

The surname Anstey around the world

It is common for surnames like anstey to become known in places far removed from their country or region of origin. Discover which ones. The mobility of people carrying the surname anstey has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of Anstey

The historical journey of the surname anstey can be traced back to those who were the first bearers of anstey. The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname anstey are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname anstey.

You can visit us regularly to get more information about the origin of the surname anstey, as we frequently accept significant contributions from other individuals interested in heraldry and the history of surnames. Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname anstey or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of anstey.

Notable Figures Named Anstey

Unfortunately, it's highly probable that not all ansteys who performed notable deeds have been included in historical chronicles and records. A surname like anstey can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname anstey, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname anstey who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Anstey and its bibliographic sources

It goes without saying that consulting bibliographic and documentary sources is essential when accessing information about the origins of the surname anstey. We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname anstey, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of anstey.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of anstey, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Anstey