Show ContentsCastel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Castel is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It is a name for someone who worked as a person who worked in a castle. The original bearer of the surname Castel may have held the post of governor or constable of the castle. However, the surname might also be derived from residence near a castle, or from services or rent owed to a castle. The surname Castel is derived from the Old Norman French word castel, which means castle. 1

Early Origins of the Castel family

The surname Castel was first found in Sussex where Richard and Robert Castel were first recorded 1148-54. They were descended from the Lords of Iystynton, and a few years later in 1201 John Castle held estates in Leicestershire. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Alan de Castell, London; and Andrew de Castello, Norfolk. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls included Thomas de Castell; and Magota del Castell as holding lands there at that time. 3 The Household Book of Queen Isabelle listed Roger atte Castell in 1358 and Kirby's Quest included William atte Castle, Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III. 4

In Scotland, "Ricardus de Castello is mentioned in a charter by David I, c. 1142. Magister Peter de Castro witnessed a confirmation by Galfridus. bishop of Dunkeld, of the church of Madirnyn (Madderty) and lands of the Abthan of Maddirnyn in 1238. Normannus de Castello, burgess of Dundee, witnessed Ysabell de Brus's gift of her messuage of Cragyn near Dundee to the monks of Lundors, c. 1240. " 5

Early History of the Castel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Castel research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1240, 1273, 1281, 1380, 1408, 1420, 1421, 1426, 1606, 1612, 1621, 1624, 1625, 1628, 1635, 1641, 1644, 1645, 1661, 1673, 1685, 1698 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Castel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Castel Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Castel are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Castel include: Castle, Castell, Castles, Castel, Castello and others.

Early Notables of the Castel family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • John Castell (a.k.a. John Castle (c.1380-1426), English academic, Master of University College, Oxford (c. 1408-1420), and later a Chancellor of the University of Oxford (1421-1426); and Edmund Castel...
  • William Castell (d. 1645), published 'A Petition exhibited to the High Court of Parliament for the Propagating of the Gospel in America and the West Indies, and for settling our Colonies there,' in 16...

Castel Ranking

In France, the name Castel is the 468th most popular surname with an estimated 9,388 people with that name. 6


United States Castel migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Castel or a variant listed above:

Castel Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Henry Castel, aged 22, who landed in Virginia in 1635 7
Castel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Pierre Castel, who arrived in Louisiana in 1720
  • Louise-Joseph Castel, who settled in Louisiana in 1718-1730
Castel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Ferdinand Castel, who arrived in New York,NY in 1824 7
  • Wm. Castel, who settled in New York in 1832
  • Pierre Castel, on record in New Orleans in 1837
  • Augustin Castel, who arrived in New Orleans in 1837
  • Antoine Castel, who arrived in New Orleans in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Castel migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Castel Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Cos Castel, who Loyalist Oath was recorded in Ontario, Canada in 1796
  • Cos Castel, who settled in Canada in 1796

Contemporary Notables of the name Castel (post 1700) +

  • Peter Kevin Castel (b. 1950), American senior district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • Isidore Castel, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Oran, 1884 8
  • Catherine Castel (b. 1950), French actress and director
  • Moshe Castel (1909-1991), Israeli painter
  • Alexianne Castel (b. 1990), French four-time gold and two-time silver medalist swimmer
  • Lou Castel (b. 1943), Colombian actor, best known for his work in Italian films
  • Richard Castel (b. 1972), former French rugby union player
  • Robert Castel (1933-2013), French sociologist and researcher
  • Nico Castel (b. 1931), Portuguese comprimario tenor
  • Jean-Gabriel Castel (b. 1925), Canadian law professor and Professor Emeritus at Osgoode Hall Law School


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  6. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  7. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  8. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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