Astor
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Astor Surname Genealogy
The name Astor is of Franco-German origin, from the Occitan astor meaning "goshawk." It was used as a nickname characterizing a hawklike man and was said to have arrived in SW Germany through Waldensian refugees.
The first record of an Astor was in 1620 when Giovan Pietro Astor arrived in Zürich with his family and changed his name to Hans Peter Astor. Johann Jakob Astor moved his family to Nussloch in Baden in the 1660's.
America. John Jacob Astor and his brother George, known as "George & John Astor," were flute makers who came to England around 1778 from Walldorf in Baden, Germany. In 1783, John Jacob left England for Baltimore in Maryland and was active first as a dealer in woodwind instruments, then in New York as a merchant in furs, pianos and real estate. Another brother, Henry Astor, also emigrated to America. He was a horse racing enthusiast and purchased a thoroughbred named Messenger which had been brought from England to America. The horse became the founding sire of all standardbred horses in America today.
During the 20th century, the number of Astors in America began to decline and the male line came to an end. And Brooke Astor died in 2007 at the age of 105. For nearly four decades she had ruled over New York society. With a name and fortune inherited from her third husband, Vincent Astor, she had played the role of grande dame to the hilt, lavishing her money on charities and dispensing advice on correct social behavior.
England. There were Astors in England as well. William Astor moved to England in 1891, became a British subject, and purchased the Cliveden estate in Buckinghamshire. By marrying into two British noble families, his British descendants held two hereditary peerages, a viscountcy, and a barony. During the 1930's the Astors and their Cliveden set were seen by some as appeasers to Hitler.
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John Jacob Astor was the founder of the Astor family in America.
John Jacob Astor III was the founder of the English branch of the family. His wealth came from the Astor real estate holdings in New York.
William Waldorf Astor was the Astor who came to Britain and married into British nobility.
Select Astors Today
The name Astor is of Franco-German origin, from the Occitan astor meaning "goshawk." It was used as a nickname characterizing a hawklike man and was said to have arrived in SW Germany through Waldensian refugees.
Select
Astor Resources on
The
Internet
- The Astor Family. Astor family history.
The first record of an Astor was in 1620 when Giovan Pietro Astor arrived in Zürich with his family and changed his name to Hans Peter Astor. Johann Jakob Astor moved his family to Nussloch in Baden in the 1660's.
America. John Jacob Astor and his brother George, known as "George & John Astor," were flute makers who came to England around 1778 from Walldorf in Baden, Germany. In 1783, John Jacob left England for Baltimore in Maryland and was active first as a dealer in woodwind instruments, then in New York as a merchant in furs, pianos and real estate. Another brother, Henry Astor, also emigrated to America. He was a horse racing enthusiast and purchased a thoroughbred named Messenger which had been brought from England to America. The horse became the founding sire of all standardbred horses in America today.
During the 19th century, the Astors became one of the wealthiest families in the United States. For years, the Astor family were known as the "landlords of New York." Their New York City namesakes are the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Astor Row, Astor Court, Astor Place, and Astor Avenue in the Bronx where the Astors used to stable their horses. The neighborhood of Astoria in Queens was named after them as well. Many of the Astor family members were buried in Trinity Church cemetery in downtown Manhattan. This time is described in Justin Kaplan's 2006 book When the Astors Owned New York: Blue Bloods and Grand Hotels in a Gilded Age.
During the 20th century, the number of Astors in America began to decline and the male line came to an end. And Brooke Astor died in 2007 at the age of 105. For nearly four decades she had ruled over New York society. With a name and fortune inherited from her third husband, Vincent Astor, she had played the role of grande dame to the hilt, lavishing her money on charities and dispensing advice on correct social behavior.
England. There were Astors in England as well. William Astor moved to England in 1891, became a British subject, and purchased the Cliveden estate in Buckinghamshire. By marrying into two British noble families, his British descendants held two hereditary peerages, a viscountcy, and a barony. During the 1930's the Astors and their Cliveden set were seen by some as appeasers to Hitler.
Select Astor Names
John Jacob Astor was the founder of the Astor family in America.
John Jacob Astor III was the founder of the English branch of the family. His wealth came from the Astor real estate holdings in New York.
William Waldorf Astor was the Astor who came to Britain and married into British nobility.
Select Astors Today
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