<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2014-12-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>false</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000910322</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ASTORIA FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001210755</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>REDMAN MONTE N</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE ASTORIA BANK PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAKE SUCCESS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>US 11042</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>true</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>true</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>false</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>false</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>606681.17</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>91017.7</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(K)</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>23938</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>RSA</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>39376</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>RSA</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>65000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>RSA</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>43160</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>RSA</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>53250</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>RSA</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9435.41</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Statutory Stock Option</value>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>26.6267</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2014-12-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3754</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-12-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-12-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3754</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Statutory Stock Option</value>
                <footnoteId id="F10"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>26.6267</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2014-12-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>176246</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-12-22</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-12-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>176246</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Astoria Financial Corporation Dividend Reinvestment Stock Purchase Plan which are exempt from the operation of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are held by Mr. Redman's spouse.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">Options were granted pursuant to the 2003 Stock Option Plan for Officers and Employees of Astoria Financial Corporation, or the 2003 Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Options expired by their own terms without exercising.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents shares held in the Employer Stock Fund of the Astoria Bank 401(k) Plan for the account of Mr. Redman's as of September 30, 2014.  Shares are held in the 401(k) Plan Trust.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents award of restricted stock dated February 1, 2010 pursuant to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan for Officers and Employees of Astoria Financial Corporation (the 2005 Plan). The shares of restricted stock will vest as follows: 23,938 shares on December 15, 2014 or, if earlier, upon the death, Disability or Change in Control (as such terms are defined in the 2005 Plan) or, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreements with the Company and Astoria Bank (the Bank), upon his termination of employment by the Company or the Bank prior to the end of the term of such employment agreements without Cause, as defined therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Represents award of restricted stock dated January 31, 2011 pursuant to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan for Officers and Employees of Astoria Financial Corporation (the 2005 Plan). The shares of restricted stock will vest as follows: 19,688 shares on December 15, 2014, and 19,688 shares on December 14, 2015 or, if earlier, upon the death, Disability or Change in Control (as such terms are defined in the 2005 Plan) or, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreements with the Company and Astoria Bank  (the Bank), upon his termination of employment by the Company or the Bank prior to the end of the term of such employment agreements without Cause, as defined therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Represents award of performance-based Restricted Stock effective July 1, 2011 pursuant to the 2005 Re-Designated, Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan for Officers and Employees of Astoria Financial Corporation. Both the vesting and performance period of the grant is five years.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The shares include voting rights. Dividends, if any, with respect to such shares will be accumulated and be subject to the same vesting and performance criteria as the shares themselves. The shares and related dividends will vest if the performance target is reached at the conclusion of the performance period, or earlier upon a Change of Control, as defined in the Plan. In the event Mr. Redman otherwise becomes entitled to severance benefits beyond Standard Termination Entitlements pursuant to the terms of his employment agreements with the Company and the Bank or if he dies or become disabled prior to vesting, the award will remain outstanding subject to the performance and vesting conditions referenced above, unless otherwise settled by the Corporation and Association pursuant to the terms of such employment agreements.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Represents award of restricted stock dated January 28, 2013 pursuant to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan for Officers and Employees of Astoria Financial Corporation (the 2005 Plan). The shares of restricted stock will vest as follows: 21,580 shares on December 15, 2014, and 21,580 shares on December 14, 2015 or, if earlier, upon the death, Disability or Change in Control (as such terms are defined in the 2005 Plan) or, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreements with the Company and Astoria Bank (the Bank), upon his termination of employment by the Company or the Bank prior to the end of the term of such employment agreements without Cause, as defined therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Represents award of restricted stock dated February 3, 2014 pursuant to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan for Officers and Employees of Astoria Financial Corporation (the 2005 Plan). The shares of restricted stock will vest as follows: 17,750 shares on December 15, 2014, 17,750 shares on December 14, 2015, and 17,750 shares on December 14, 2016 or, if earlier, upon the death, Disability or Change in Control (as such terms are defined in the 2005 Plan) or, pursuant to the terms of his employment agreements with the Company and Astoria Bank (the Bank), upon his termination of employment by the Company or the Bank prior to the end of the term of such employment agreements without Cause, as defined therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Astoria Financial Corporation Dividend Reinvestment Stock Purchase Plan which are exempt from the operation of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are held by Mr. Redman's spouse.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Monte N. Redman by Yvonne Schade, attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2014-12-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
