CASTLE
Castle is a surname of English origin, derived from the Middle English word castel, meaning a castle or fortress. It is a topographical or geographical surname that was originally given to individuals who lived near or worked within a castle or fortified structure.
The earliest recorded spelling of the name appears in the Records of Bec Abbey in Sussex, between 1148 and 1154, during the reign of King Stephen. The entry lists an individual named Richard Castel. Evidence of the name’s spread throughout England follows, including examples such as Henry de Castell in Cambridgeshire in 1260, John del Castel in Yorkshire in 1307, and William ate Castele in Kent in 1317.
The surname has persisted into modern times in several forms, notably Castle, Castles, Castell and Castells. A notable bearer was Richard Castle, an architect born in Germany who relocated to Ireland before 1720 and designed numerous buildings in Dublin and the surrounding provinces. He was also known by the variants Cassel and Cassels.
A coat of arms that has been associated with the Castle family consists of a blue field, a silver bend with three black castles, and a crest featuring a dexter arm couped and embowed fesseways proper, vested in red, cuffed in gold, holding a silver pennon charged with a black bee volant on a blue staff. This heraldic description is historically documented and provides a visual symbol of the name’s noble associations.
Early medieval England saw the creation of many topographical surnames, as natural and man-made features such as castles offered readily recognisable distinguishing markers. The surname Castle fits squarely within this tradition, indicating a direct connection—either occupational or residential—to a fortified building or, in some cases, serving as a nickname for an individual whose character or presence resembled the strength and grandeur of a castle.
Typical given names associated with the Castle surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Deborah
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Janet
- Jean
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Castell
- Cassell
- Castel
- Casale
- Casal
- Casals
- Casali
- Cascales
- Casel
- Caseley
- Casell
- Cassal
- Cassel
- Cassele
- Casselle
- Cassle
- Cassol
- Casstles
- Castele
- Castile
- Castille
- Castles
- Casttle
- Costle
- Kastle
- Kestle
- Casells
- Casely
- Casiell
- Casile
- Cassall
- Cassells
- Cassels
- Cassills
- Cassils
- Castall
- Casteel
- Castill
- Castillo
- Castler
- Cazal
- Cazel
- Custle
- Kasal
- Kasel
- Castello
- Castlen
- Costello
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Castle in...
Braille
⠉⠁⠎⠞⠇⠑
Morse
-.-..-...-.-...
Semaphore
There are approximately 10,418 people named Castle in the UK. That makes it the 894th most common surname in Britain. Around 160 in a million people in Britain are named Castle.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Castle
- Roy Castle - Dancer, singer, comedian, actor, television presenter and musician (1932 to 1994)
- Barbara Castle - Politician (1910 to 2002)
- John Castle - Actor
- Andrew Castle - Tennis player
- Keith-Lee Castle - Actor
- Steve Castle - Football player
- Edward Castle, Baron Castle - Politician (1907 to 1979)
- Billy Joe Castle - Snooker player
- William Bosworth Castle - American physician (1897 to 1990)
- Frederick Castle - Football player (1898 to 1974)
- Charles Castle - (1939 to 2013)
- Casey Castle - Bermudian football player
- Fred Castle - Cricketer (1909 to 1997)
- Peter Castle - Football player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.