Show ContentsCastele History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Castele comes from one of the family having worked as a person who worked in a castle. The original bearer of the surname Castele 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 Castele is derived from the Old Norman French word castel, which means castle. 1

Early Origins of the Castele family

The surname Castele 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 Castele family

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

Castele Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Castele have been found, including: Castle, Castell, Castles, Castel, Castello and others.

Early Notables of the Castele 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 Castell (1606-1685), an English Orientalist from Tadlow, Cambridgeshire, Prebendary of Canterbury Cathedral and Professor of Arabic at Cambridge. He was "the second son of Robert Castell (probably of Christ's College, Cambridge), a man of property and education, and was born 'iratis Musis,' as he said, at East Hatley in Cambridgeshire in the year 1606, whence, after the usual grammatical training of the period, he proceeded in...
Another 126 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Castele Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Castele family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Castele, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : George Castell, who settled in Virginia in 1635; followed by Henry in 1639; George Castell settled in Maryland in 1775; Dorothy Castle settled in Virginia in 1639.



  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)


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