Anstey

Anstey is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. The name is locational, derived from several places in England, such as Anstey in Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, and Hampshire. The etymology of the name is believed to come from the Old English words "ānstiga," meaning "narrow path," and "ēg," meaning "island" or "dry ground in marsh."

The Anstey surname is first recorded in the 11th century in England. Over the centuries, the name has spread throughout the country and beyond, particularly to British colonies and the United States. Individuals with the surname Anstey have been found in various occupations, including agriculture, trade, and the military.

Notable bearers of the Anstey surname include the British historian and antiquarian John Anstis, the poet and playwright F. Anstey, and the English cricketer Arthur Anstey. The Anstey Society, a genealogical and historical organisation devoted to the study of the surname, was founded in 1980 to bring together individuals interested in the history and heritage of the Anstey name.

Today, the surname Anstey continues to be borne by individuals across the United Kingdom and in other parts of the world, contributing to the rich tapestry of British surnames and heritage.

There are approximately 1,887 people named Anstey in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,414th most common surname in Britain. Around 29 in a million people in Britain are named Anstey.

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

  • Christopher
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Claire
  • Elizabeth
  • Hazel
  • Heather
  • June
  • Kathleen
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Nicola
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Victoria

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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