Anstead

Overview: Anstead is an Anglo-Saxon surname of English origin. The name has its roots in the early medieval period, deriving from the Old English pre-7th century personal name "Anest", meaning "favour" or "grace", and the suffix "-ed" denoting "son of". As a hereditary surname, Anstead is classified as a patronymic name, indicating that it was originally used to denote the son of an ancestor named Anest.

Distribution: The surname Anstead is relatively uncommon in the United Kingdom and is most frequently found in regions with historical Anglo-Saxon settlements. An analysis of surname distribution data indicates concentrations in counties such as Suffolk, Hampshire, and Kent.

Variants: Variant spellings of the surname Anstead include Anstey and Anstid, reflecting the historical evolution of family names over the centuries.

Famous Bearers:

  • Guy Anstead: A notable British television presenter known for his work on various documentaries and travel programs.
  • Russell Anstead: A respected scholar in the field of British medieval history, renowned for his research on Anglo-Saxon society.

References:

  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Ancestry.com. (n.d.). Ancestry - Name Distribution. Retrieved from https://www.ancestry.co.uk/

There are approximately 286 people named Anstead in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around four in a million people in Britain are named Anstead.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • David
  • Hamilton
  • Jeremy
  • John
  • Kevin
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Nicholas
  • Paul
  • Richard
  • Steven

Female

  • Alison
  • Amanda
  • Breige
  • Carolyn
  • Clare
  • Dawn
  • Dorothy
  • Elizabeth
  • Jane
  • Kathleen
  • Louise
  • Pauline
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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