The surname of ACESTER is of two-fold origin. It was a locational name 'of Acaster Malbis and Acaster Selby' two places in the North Riding of Yorkshire. In the middle ages it was customary for a man to be named after the village where he lived, or held his land. This name identified his whole family and followed him wherever he moved. The name, which was derived from the Old English word Ceaster, was also an occupational name, meaning the warden of a castle. The name was originally of Norman origin, and brought into England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Early records of the name mention Acastre (without surname) listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Warin Castellan documented in the year 1311 in County Yorkshire. Edward Castellan was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. William Acaster of Lancashire, was listed in the Wills at Chester in the year 1650. Mary Acaster and Edward Williams were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, London in the year 1802. Between the 11th and 15th centuries, it became popular for surnames to be assumed. Those of noble birth recognized that it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. Originally the coat of arms identified the wearer, either in battle or in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. When the coast of England was invaded by William The Conqueror in the year 1066, the Normans brought with them a store of French personal names, which soon, more or less, entirely replaced the traditional more varied Old English personal names, at least among the upper and middle classes. A century of so later, given names of the principal saints of the Christian church began to be used. It is from these two types of given name that the majority of the English patronymic surnames are derived and used to this day.