aston was born in london into a prominent landed family, the astons of aston hall, aston-by-sutton, cheshire. he was the second son of capt. henry charles hervey-aston and hon. harriet ingram-shepherd, fourth daughter of charles ingram, 9th viscount of irvine. he was a great grandson of hon. rev. dr. henry hervey, fifth son of john hervey, 1st earl of bristol, who assumed the aston surname.