Whilst researching the lineages and background of the HASTINGs families, I came across this site.  If you are unaware, it is worth reading.

http://www.abroadintheyard.com/real-king-of-england-dies-in-australia-true-royal-lineage-which-would-have-changed-british-history/

Until I was browsing through Debretts peerages (1995 volume), I was also unaware that apparently the original HASTINGS lineage who had received the knighthood had been, in 1841 the Barony had been transferred to Sir Jacob Astley.  Sir Jacob was of an ancient family who descended from Sit Thomas Astley who fell at the battle of Evesham 1265.  

The work of Cockayne in his Volume 4 titled Complete Peerage gives a great deal more information on both the baronies of Hastings and those carrying the HASTINGS surname, but these are scattered throughout the book.

As a consequence, those joining this project and hopefully bringing their own research with them will ensure we, with the aid of Y-DNA testing to as high a level as can be afforded, will be able to solve the puzzles associated with the branches...