Astleys

Astleys is a term used to refer to subjects associated with the English surname Astley, including individuals, historical venues connected to the Astley family, and geographic names linked to that lineage.

As a surname, Astley has a long history in Britain. The best known bearer is Philip Astley (1742–1814), an English equestrian and entrepreneur who is widely regarded as the founder of the modern circus. He pioneered riding displays and, in London, opened a venue that helped shape the development of circus performances.

In venues and institutions, Astley's Amphitheatre in London, opened by Philip Astley in the late 1760s, became an influential model for later circuses and helped standardize the format of the modern circus, including the circular ring and a mix of horsemanship, acrobatics, and clowning. The name then entered broader usage as circuses and impresarios adopted it in Britain and beyond.

In geography and contemporary usage, Astley is a toponym used in several English places, and the surname is carried by descendants and by individuals in various fields. The plural form "Astleys" may be encountered in references to multiple people or institutions bearing the name, rather than to a single current entity.