Austerson

Austerson is a civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, lying immediately south of the town of Nantwich and north of the village of Audlem. Predominantly rural with scattered farms, the civil parish includes the small settlement of Old Hall Austerson at , about two miles south of Nantwich centre. In 2001, the total population was a little under 150, increasing to 194 at the 2011 Census. Nearby villages include Broomhall Green, Hack Green, Hankelow, Sound Heath and Stapeley.

==History== Austerson derives from the Saxon Essetune, meaning "Aelfstan's Farm". The civil parish was originally a township in the ancient parish of Acton in the Nantwich Hundred; it was served by St Mary's Church, Acton. Major early landowners include the families of Bulkeley, Wettenhall, Praers and Bromley. In the late 15th century the land was acquired by Sir William Needham of Shavington. Part of Austerson and the adjacent parish of Baddington was forest until at least the mid-17th century, with wood being used as fuel for salt production in nearby Nantwich. A kiln field marked on tithe maps suggests that the parish formerly had a brick kiln. A small council estate was built between 1953 and 1965.