Costello History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland-Alt 
  Ireland 
  Italy 


The Costello surname came to Ireland with the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century. They were originally from the Norman family Nangles, or de Angulos, and descended in Ireland from Gilbert de Nangle. Costello and associated variations come from the personal name of a son of Gilbert, Oisdealbhach, whose name consists of the elements "os," which means "deer or fawn", and "dealbhadh," which means "in the form of" or "resembling." The Gaelic form of the surname Costello, which predated the Anglicized version of the name, is Mac Oisdealbhaigh. This is the earliest recorded example of a Norman family assuming a Mac surname. The prefix O or Ó has sometimes been erroneously assumed. 1

Early Origins of the Costello family

The surname Costello was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they were granted lands by the Earl of Pembroke in the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1172.

Early History of the Costello family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Costello research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1500, 1531, 1567, 1571, 1579, 1606, 1803 and 1865 are included under the topic Early Costello History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Costello Spelling Variations

Names were simply spelled as they sounded by medieval scribes and church officials. Therefore, during the lifetime of a single person, his name was often spelt in many different ways, explaining the many spelling variations encountered while researching the name Costello. Some of these variations included: Costello, MacCostello, Costillo, Costallo, Kostello, McCostello, Caustello, Costellow and many more.

Early Notables of the Costello family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was

Costello World Ranking

In the United States, the name Costello is the 1,297th most popular surname with an estimated 24,870 people with that name. 3 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Costello is ranked the 293rd most popular surname with an estimated 154 people with that name. 4 And in Australia, the name Costello is the 650th popular surname with an estimated 5,999 people with that name. 5 New Zealand ranks Costello as 914th with 808 people. 6


Costello migration to the United States +

Irish immigration to North American began in the late 18th century as many Irish families desired to own their own land. This pattern of immigration grew slowly yet steadily until the 1840s. At that time, a failed crop and a growing population in Ireland resulted in the Great Potato Famine. Poverty, disease, and starvation ravaged the land. To ease their pain and suffering the Irish often looked upon North America as a solution: hundreds of thousands undertook the voyage. Their arrival meant the growth of industry and commerce for British North America and the United States. For the individual Irishman, it meant survival and hope, and the opportunity for work, freedom, and ownership of land. The early immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Costello:

Costello Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Costello Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Costello Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Costello migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Costello Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Costello migration to Australia +

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

Costello Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Costello 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:

Costello Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Costello (post 1700) +


The Costello Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Ne te quaesiveris extra
Motto Translation: Seek nothing beyond your sphere.
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