AUGUSTINE
Augustine is a surname of Latin origin, derived from the personal name Augustinus, itself a derivation of Augustus, meaning “venerable” or “sacred.” The name was popularised by Saint Augustine of Hippo, a prominent theologian and philosopher of the early Christian church, whose writings shaped Western Christianity and philosophy. The surname is patronymic, originally used to indicate the descendants of an ancestor named Augustine.
The name entered Europe in the twelfth century, carried by returning Crusaders from the Holy Land. Early surviving records show the surname in a variety of spellings: Augustin, Aoustin, Outin, Agostino, Agostini, D'Agostino, D'Agostini, Augustein, Auxten, Austen, Austin and Augustine. These variations demonstrate the name’s widespread adoption across French, Italian, German and English speaking regions.
The earliest known registration of the surname in England appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire for the year 1272, where a John Augustyn is recorded. Subsequent mentions include Mariota Augustin of Huntingdon (1273) and Nicholas Augustin in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcester (1275). Later records show Gertrude Augustin marrying Guillbart Wylkison at St Antholins church in London (1596) and Frances August of Greenwich marrying Mary Fisher in Canterbury (1663).
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name was associated with monastic foundations linked to Saint Augustine, particularly on the continent. In Britain the surname fell out of favour after the Reformation and the political climate of the reign of King Henry V, where names linked to the old religion were less popular.
Modern bearers of the surname are found across Europe, North America and the Caribbean. It is especially common in countries such as the United States, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and Germany, reflecting migration patterns and the spread of Roman Catholic and Orthodox communities. The surname remains unisex, used by both males and females, although it is more frequently a given name for males in contemporary usage.
Variations of the surname in other languages include Augustin in French, Agostini in Italian, Augustinus in Dutch, and Agostino in Italian. In Eastern Europe variations such as Augustin in Czech or Polish and Augustyniak appear, reflecting local linguistic adaptations. The surname is also noted in forms such as D’Augustine, a spelling that indicates a patronymic origin in Romance languages.
The linguistic root Augustus carries meanings such as “majestic”, “the increaser” or simply “venerable”. These connotations contributed to the name’s appeal for parents wishing to bestow a dignified and saintly identity on their children in ancient Rome and later Christian societies.
In present times, while the surname Augustine can be found worldwide, its distribution continues to be influenced by migration, intermarriage and cultural assimilation. The name's presence in legal documents, church registers and census records across various centuries offers a rich source for genealogical research, allowing individuals to trace ancestral links through documentary evidence.
Typical given names associated with the Augustine surname
Male
- Anthony
- Charles
- Daniel
- David
- George
- Jason
- Joseph
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Sabu
- Wayne
Female
- Andra
- Catherine
- Diane
- Dianne
- Dorreen
- Elizabeth
- Gemma
- Helen
- Julie
- Maria
- Mary
- Michelle
- Sabina
- Sarah
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Augustine in...
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There are approximately 1,024 people named Augustine in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,235th most common surname in Britain. Around 16 in a million people in Britain are named Augustine.
Region of origin: Caribbean
Language of origin: English
