East Family History & Genealogy

History

The EAST FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY, ( www.eastfhs.org ) was founded in England and has helped many members to trace their ancestors back to the 16th century.
Some of these members live in Australia and we are sure that many EASTS living in America & Canada can also be traced back to these times.

Name Origin

This surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin. Derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century East, being topographical for someone who lived in the eastern part of a town or settlement, or outside it to the east. It could also be a regional name for someone who had migrated westwards and was therefore regarded as coming from the east. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, because landscape features and direction provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages.
The surname can be found recorded as Est, East, Eastes and Este.
One William East was an early emigrant to the New World Colonies, leaving the Port of London on the "Paule" in July 1635, bound for Virginia. Recordings from London Church Registers include: the marriage of John East and Margret Gilbert on August 1st 1597, at St. Lawrence, Pountney, and the marriage of Arthur East and Elizabeth Thornely on December 27th 1644, at St. Dunstan's, Stepney. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ralph del Est, which was dated 1196 - 1237, recorded at Colchester, Essex, during the reign of King Richard 1, ("The Lionheart"). 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.

Spellings & Pronunciations

EASTE, EASTES, EST, ESTE, & ESTES.

Nationality & Ethnicity

In England EASTS have been traced right back to the arrival of the Normans.

Famous People named East

Are there famous people from the East family? Share their story.

Early Easts

These are the earliest records we have of the East family.