He was the second son of Thomas Astley and Frances Drane, daughter of George Deane.
[3] Having been knighted in 1641, he was created a baronet, of Melton Constable, in the County of Norfolk by King Charles I of England on 21 January 1642.
[3] Astley married firstly Rachel Messenger, daughter of Augustine Messenger, and secondly Bridget Coke, daughter of John Coke.
[4] Astley was buried in Melton Constable in Norfolk and with his death the baronetcy became extinct.
[3] The heir of his estates was his nephew Sir Jacob Astley, 1st Baronet.