Show ContentsCastin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Castin surname lived near a notable chestnut tree. The surname is derived from Anglo-French casteyn, which means chestnut. As such, Castin is a member of the topographic class of surnames, which were given to people who resided near noticeable physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of tree. However, Castin may also belong to the category of habitation surnames which were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. In this case, the surname Castin is derived from the parish of Caston which lies near Watton in the county of Norfolk.

Early Origins of the Castin family

The surname Castin was first found in Norfolk, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Castin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Castin research. Another 218 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1200, 1273, 1327, 1349, 1369, 1415, 1500, 1604, 1790 and 1796 are included under the topic Early Castin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Castin 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 Castin 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 Castin include: Caston, Catestune, Casteyn, Cateston, Coston, Caustun, Castine, Castin, Castoun and many more.

Early Notables of the Castin family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Thomas Caustun, a prominent English composer during the 1500s, and Thomas Castine, a native of Ballyneille on the Isle of Man, who emerged as a prominent military figure in the early 1790s


Canada Castin migration to Canada +

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 Castin or a variant listed above:

Castin Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Benjamin Castin U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 1
  • Mr. Isaiah Castin U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 1
  • Mr. Thomas Castin U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Castin (post 1700) +

  • Barbara Castin, American actress, known for Recadrage (2014) and Gratitude (2020)
  • Chris Castin, American actor, known for The Speech (2012)
  • Y Castin, French researcher with the Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, Paris


  1. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X


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