Wishlist
Menu
Cart
HouseofNames
Wishlist
Cart

Show ContentsCastle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Product

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

4.9 Average Rating

The saga of the name Castle follows a line reaching back through history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It was a name for someone who worked as a person who worked in a castle. The original bearer of the surname Castle 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 Castle is derived from the Old Norman French word castel, which means castle. 1

Early Origins of the Castle family

The surname Castle 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 Castle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Castle 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 Castle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Castle Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Castle were recorded, including Castle, Castell, Castles, Castel, Castello and others.

Early Notables of the Castle 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...
  • Edmund Castle (1698-1750), was Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and Dean of Hereford, a native of Kent, and was born on 14 Sept. 1698 near Canterbury, where he received the greater part of...
  • George Castle (1635?-1673), was an English physician, only son of John Castle, a doctor of medicine of Oxford of 10 July 1644. 6

Castle World Ranking

In the United States, the name Castle is the 1,430th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 7 However, in Australia, the name Castle is ranked the 754th most popular surname with an estimated 5,185 people with that name. 8 And in New Zealand, the name Castle is the 996th popular surname with an estimated 758 people with that name. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Castle as 956th with 7,304 people. 10

United States Castle migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Castle family emigrate to North America:

Castle Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Gregory Castle, who settled in Maine in 1624
  • Henry Castle, who landed in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1635 11
  • Geo Castle, who landed in Virginia in 1637 11
  • Georg Castle, who arrived in Virginia in 1638 11
  • Dorothy Castle, who arrived in Virginia in 1639 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Castle Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joann Castle, who arrived in Virginia in 1700 11
  • Johannes Castle, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1727 11
  • Hillis Castle, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1727 11
  • Christian Castle, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1738 11
  • Mary Castle, who arrived in Maryland in 1740 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Castle Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • L Castle, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 11
  • R B Castle, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 11
  • William H Castle, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1879 11
  • Charles B. Castle, who settled in Philadelphia in 1880

Canada Castle migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Castle Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Anthy Castle, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Edward Castle, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749-1752
Castle Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Baker Castle, who arrived in Ottawa in 1817

Australia Castle migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Castle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Castle, British Convict who was convicted in Lincolnshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
  • Mr. Thomas Castle, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
  • Mr. William Castle, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for life, transported aboard the "Chapman" on 6th April 1824, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
  • Mr. James Castle, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 15
  • Mr. William Castle, British convict who was convicted in Oxford, England for life, transported aboard the "Asia" on 29th September 1831, settling in New South Wales, Australia 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Castle migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Castle Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • John Castle, aged 39, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • Maria Castle, aged 37, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • Ann Castle, aged 14, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • Jane Castle, aged 7, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • James Castle, aged 4, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1840
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Castle (post 1700) +

  • Wendell Castle (1932-2018), American furniture artist and a leading figure in American craft from Emporia, Kansas
  • Michael Newbold "Mike" Castle (b. 1939), American politician, 69th Governor of Delaware (1985-1992), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's At-large district (1993-2011)
  • Diana Castle (b. 1957), American actress, known for her work on Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) and Rapid Fire (1992)
  • James Castle, American three-time Primetime Emmy Award winning graphic designer, known for his work on The X-Files (1993), Cheers (1982) and Knots Landing (1979)
  • William Castle (1914-1977), American director, producer and actor, known for his work in radio with Orson Wells, and later with Vincent Price in House on Haunted Hill (1959) and The Tingler (1959)
  • Peggie Castle (1927-1973), American actress, known for her work on Lawman (1958), Beginning of the End (1957) and Invasion U.S.A. (1952)
  • Jeremy Castle, American country music singer/songwriter
  • Brigadier General Frederick Walker Castle (1908-1944), Highly decorated American soldier who was awarded both the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Croix de Guerre during WWII 17
  • William Ernest Castle (1867-1962), American biologist
  • Nial K. Castle, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
  • ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
  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. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  7. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  8. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  9. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  10. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  11. 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)
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  13. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  14. Convict Records of Australia. Retreived 26th January 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/chapman
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1831
  17. World War 2 Awards.com - CASTLE, Frederick. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Frederick Castle. Retrieved from http://www.ww2awards.com/person/764
Houseofnames.com on Facebook