Castle
An English toponymic surname referring to someone who lived near a castle or worked in one.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 23,856 Americans carry the last name Castle. That puts it at #1,744 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 6.96 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 14,368 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Castle surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
24K
1 in 14,368
Census rank
#1,744
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
7.0
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
21K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 20,534 bearers of the surname Castle in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 6.96 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 1744th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Castle, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.0%. The next largest groups are Black (6.7%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Castle
The surname Castle originates from England and dates back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "castel," which means a fortified place or a castle. The name likely referred to someone who lived near or worked at a castle.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Castle can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of landowners and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book mentions several individuals with the name Castle or similar spellings, such as Castella or Castelane.
During the Middle Ages, the Castle surname was particularly prevalent in the counties of Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire in the West Midlands region of England. The name was also found in other parts of the country, including Yorkshire and Northamptonshire.
The surname Castle has undergone various spellings over the centuries, including Castell, Castelle, and Castelle. Some of these variations may have been influenced by the Norman-French spelling "chastel," which also meant a castle or fortified place.
One notable bearer of the Castle surname was Sir John Castle (c. 1370-1420), a Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire during the reign of Henry IV. Another individual of historical significance was William Castle (1609-1644), an English Puritan clergyman and writer who participated in the Westminster Assembly.
In the 16th century, the Castle surname was associated with the town of Castle Combe in Wiltshire, which derived its name from the presence of an ancient castle. A prominent resident of Castle Combe was Sir John Castle (1548-1618), a wealthy landowner and Member of Parliament.
Other notable individuals with the Castle surname include Sir Robert Castle (1460-1537), an English politician and landowner who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1523, and John Castle (1667-1728), an English lawyer and judge who served as Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
While the surname Castle has its roots in England, it has since spread to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and various other English-speaking countries.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Castle
Among Census respondents with the surname Castle, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.0%. The next largest groups are Black (6.7%) and Hispanic (2.6%).
The bar chart below shows how Castle bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Castle surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White88.0%
- Black or African American6.7%
- Hispanic or Latino2.6%
- Two or more races1.6%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.4%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Castle surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1,744 | #1,744 | 0.0% |
| Count | 20,534 | 20,534 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 6.96 | 6.96 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Castle bearers went from 20,534 to 20,534 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #1,744 to #1,744.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Castle
FAQ
Castle surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Castle?
The surname Castle holds position #1,744 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 23,856 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 6.96 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Castle surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Castle, the largest self-reported group is White at 88.0%. The next largest groups are Black (6.7%) and Hispanic (2.6%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.