Mastin Family Tree

Other Mastins

John Mastin of Lincoln (Died 5th June 1218):
It may be significant that the Battle of Lincoln took place on 4th June 1218, the day before the supposed death of John. One could imagine that he died of his wounds the day after the battle. I can find no record of this theory but the Lincolnshire Records Office were not particularly helpful. This battle was the deathblow of the French interest in England. John had a French surname, so whose side was he on?
John Mastin of Ancaster and Winceby (Died 1643):
Again this is a battle date and forms part of the Civil Wars. I can find no record of John's death at these battles but this does not mean it's not true. I think these last two items are perhaps legend within the family and whoever wrote it was trying to infer, in an eloquent manner, that Mastins were at every historical event in Lincolnshire and helped to form its future through the ages.
John Mastin, Vicar of Naseby (1747 - 1829):
This person certainly existed and wrote a history of Naseby and also an autobiography. I hope soon to obtain a copy of the autobiography. I don't think we have a direct decendancy from him but I do think he is a relation of some sort. He was born at Epperstone where there are Mastins recorded in the 1600's, and he does mention in his writings that he had cousins in Lincolnshire. For more information see here
Pinchbeck Mastins:
There are very early records of Mastins at Pinchbeck dating from the mid 1500's. I don't think there is a connection, but you never know.
William Mastin, Senior of Heath Hall, Harroby, Grantham:
At some Quarter Sessions, it is recorded that this William was born in 1679. I don't know any more than this, only that there isn't a Heath Hall at Harroby, but there is a Heath Farm which could have been classed as a Hall in the 1600's.
Dronfield Mastins:
There are Mastins recorded in the parish records as far back as 1668, but the records are in Latin and very hard to read. I don't think there is a connection.
Gravesend Mastins:
These are part of the Kent clan. There was a family of five tug boat men, all Mastins, who played a significant role in the rescue of soldiers from Dunkirk during the 2nd World War.
Verona Mastins:
Mastino 1st of the Scalla family was the "Captain of the People" in Verona from 1250 to 1261, and there is today a Hotel Mastino in Verona and a Mastin family. His name was taken from the dog and is well documented. Julius Caesar belonged to the Scalla dynasty and if a Mastin cares to impress, he can say that he is descended from the Roman Emperor. I wouldn't be too dog-matic about this or adopt a dog-in-the-manger attitude and perhaps let sleeping dogs lie and not to be too dogged!
Mastin Moor, Derbyshire:
There is to be very little known about the origin of this name. The Place Name Societies think that it was named after somebody called Mastin rather than any other reason. Apparently there was a Mastin on the court roll in about 1580 but the place is not shown on Burdetts Map of 1791.
Will Mastin, USA:
In the late 1920's, Will Mastin ran a black Dixieland/Vaudeville troupe called "Holiday in Dixieland" which featured the young Sammy Davis Jr. Sammy stayed with the Will Mastin Gang and the subsequent Will Mastin Trio, until the early 1950's. Also in the American music field, a Tom Mastin was credited with writing a 1967 Jefferson Airplane song.
Other Mastins, USA and Canada:
In the archives of Genealogy.com are a whole host of Mastins (mainly from the USA and Canada) researching their family histories. As yet no link between any of these and our direct line, as covered in this web-site, has been established. The Mastin Family Genealogy Forum can be found at http://genforum.genealogy.com/mastin/.
Mastin's Bridge, Boston:
Mastin's Bridge in Boston, Lincolnshire (see picture below), was built in 1805 and is a scheduled ancient monument. If any one has any information as to the origin of the name, we would be interested to hear.