Hi All, here is what I have on the origin of the Austin surname taken from the "Houston Post January 28, 1973" Enjoy, Sharon ++AUSTIN++ The name of Austin is derived from Augustine and became popular as a surname in the 13th century. The Latin Augustus means "royal, venerable and renowned". The name was enhanced by two saints bearing the name of Augustine. Austin was made familiar by the Austin Friars, or Black Canons, as they were know by their black cloaks, an established monastery of Augustinian hermits in London in the 12th century. Austin began as a surname in 1224 Suffolk, England and families of the name located in Surrey, Norfolk and Kent. Austinus de Bernardeston was listed on Suffolk tax rolls in 1224, Austinus de Beston in Norfolk in 1230 and Henry Austin and Edith Austines were recorded in Worcestor in 1275. Astin de Bennington resided in Lincolnshire County in 1273 The first bishop of Guina was the Right Reverend Piercy Austin, D. D. and one of the most famous authors in English literature was Jan Austin who inherited the Godmersham Estates. In America, the name became famous through Stephen Fuller Austin, the founder of the State of Texas. Mary Hunter Austin was the noted American author who wrote chiefly of Indian life in the Untied States. Many bearers of the name were early arrivals during colonial days. Jonah Austin came from Kent to Cambridge, Mass. and was at Hingham, Mass. in 1625. Robert Austin, born in England, was one of the grantees of Westerly and Kingston, in 1661. Richard Austin, a tailor came to Charleston , Mass in 1638. The Austin Coat of Arms is a red shield with a chevron of ermine fur. Embellished on the shield are three gold coronets. Astin and Aston were other forms of the name. Austin is one of those surnames which was once a popular personal name, now seldom heard as such, it occurs in the Domesday Book as a personal name, rather than a surname.