Castello
A surname of castle-related origin, meaning “of the castle” or “from the castle.”
The #9,692 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 92,245 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Castello is ultimately from Latin castellum, meaning “castle” or “fortified place.” As a surname, it most naturally began as a locational name for someone living by or coming from a castle, or for someone associated with a place called Castello. The Italian preposition di in older records gives the sense “of Castle” or “from the castle.”
History
Historical records show Castello and related forms in medieval Italy, and the same naming pattern appears across Europe in French, Spanish, and English records with spellings meaning “of the castle.” The surname later spread beyond Italy through migration, so it can be found in diaspora communities as well as in Italian families. Related forms include Castelli, Castella, Castellani, and Castelleto/Castelletto.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same root behind Castello also produced a large family of European surnames such as Castle, Chastel, and Castellanos.
From the historical record
“or Cary, of the same co., emigrated to N. E. circa 1637. CASAS, de las (Sp.), of the Houses, {v. Cazenove.) CASTELLO, di (Jt.), of Castle. Castelletto, del, of the Little castle. Castelcicala, Cricket's castle. Castelnovo, New castle. Castelnau, and Castelnouvel, de {£.), of Newcastle. Castillejo, de (Sp.), of…”
— Surnames