Surname Castillo - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing the Hidden Chapters: My Genetic Odyssey with iGENEA

Undertaking a DNA test at iGENEA led to surprising revelations about the ancestry of my family, the Castillos. From believing we were purely of Spanish origin, I discovered genetic patterns linking us to Western Sahara and the Canary Islands. This unexpected insight has deepened and broadened my self-understanding.

N. Castillo

Castillo: What does the surname Castillo mean?

The surname Castillo is of Spanish origin and it translates to "castle" in English. It typically refers to a person who lived in or worked in a castle, indicating their social status or occupation during the Middle Ages. This surname is widespread across Spain and Latin America. As a topographical surname, it was often given to those who lived near a prominent castle or worked within it, such as a castellan, who was the governor of a castle. The name, therefore, holds historical significance, telling a story of the individual’s or family’s past. The prevalence of this surname around the world today is in part due to the huge influence of Spanish culture and language from centuries of exploration, colonization, and migration.

Castillo: Where does the name Castillo come from?

The surname Castillo is of Spanish origin and means "castle." The name typically indicated a person who lived in or worked in a castle, or it may have been used metaphorically to refer to a person who was castle-like in characteristics, such as strength or fortitude. The surname could also have been given to people who lived in areas where there were castles. In certain cases, Castillo could be a toponymic surname, referring to people from places named Castillo.

Today, Castillo is quite common among Spanish-speaking communities worldwide, especially in Spain and Latin America. In fact, as of 2020, it ranked as the 23rd most common surname in Spain. In the U.S., due to significant Hispanic population, the surname is also prevalent. In terms of specific countries in Latin America, it is particularly common in countries such as Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines due to Spain's historical colonization of these regions.

Variations of the surname Castillo

The surname "Castillo" has variations that could be linked to the different misspellings or regional dialects that have shaped its modern form. Some alternative spellings or similar surnames of the same origin might include Castello, Castiglia, Castiglione, Castillon, Castiello, Castellanos or Castellon, the last two indicating a familial origin from the town of Castillo.

In its Italian form, it might appear as "Castello". In Portuguese, it might be spelled "Castelo". The French equivalent could be "Château". As a Spanish surname, it translates to "castle" and could have been given to people who lived by a castle or who served in a castle.

The surname may appear slightly different in other languages or countries due to phonetic translations or specific characteristics of different alphabets. One should keep in mind that some variations might also come from different origins and may not be related to the Castillo family.

Less common alternatives could include patronymic forms where the name stands in combination with a given name or a name of the father. Examples could be "Fernández de Castillo" or "López de Castillo", where "de Castillo" indicates the family origin.

Famous people with the name Castillo

• Kate del Castillo: A renowned Mexican actress known for her leading roles in telenovelas.
• Joey Castillo: An American drummer who played with rock bands like Danzig and Queens of The Stone Age.
• Frank Castillo: An American professional baseball player.
• Ana Castillo: An American author known for her works in Chicana literature.
• Luis Castillo: A Dominican professional baseball player currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds.
• Eric del Castillo: A highly revered Mexican actor and the father of Kate del Castillo.
• Robert Castillo: An American actor and director.
• Miguel Castillo: A professional footballer from Venezuela.
• Castillo: Belgian DJ and music producer, known for electronic music.
• Veronica Castillo: A renowned clay sculptor of Mexican descent.
• Christian Castillo: A prominent Argentine politician and a leader of the Socialist Workers' Party.
• Christina Fernandez de Castillo: A lawyer known for her advocacy work for the health issues in the Hispanic community.
• Johnny Castillo: A retired American professional baseball player.
• David Castillo: An actor from Spain, known for his roles in films and TV series.

Other surnames

CastileCastilesCastillaCastilleCastilow