Castro

The surname Castro is of Spanish and Italian origin, deriving from the Latin word castrum meaning "fortress" or "castle". It is believed to have originated as a toponymic surname for individuals who lived near a castle or fortified settlement.

History and Distribution

The surname Castro is most commonly found in Spain, Italy, and Latin American countries due to historical migrations and settlements. In the United Kingdom, individuals with the surname Castro are often descendants of immigrants or individuals with Spanish or Italian heritage.

Notable Individuals

  • Carmen dell'Orefice (née Carmen Scheffler, born June 3, 1931) - An American supermodel of Italian and Hungarian descent, known for her long-standing career in the fashion industry.

Variations

Variants of the surname Castro include the Italian form "Castore", as well as the Anglicised form "Castro".

References

  • Hanks, P., Hardcastle, K., & Hodges, F. (2006). A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Cottle, B. (2007). The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Penguin.

There are approximately 1,777 people named Castro in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,641st most common surname in Britain. Around 27 in a million people in Britain are named Castro.

Origin: Iberian

Region of origin: Europe

Country of origin: Spain

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Spanish

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Antonio
  • Arnold
  • Carlos
  • David
  • Joao
  • John
  • Jose
  • Luis
  • Manuel
  • Marcos
  • Michael
  • Miguel

Female

  • Ana
  • Emma
  • Isabel
  • Janet
  • Julie
  • Laura
  • Maria
  • Michelle
  • Monica
  • Pamela
  • Patricia
  • Sandra
  • Sonia

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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