🏆 ยอดนิยม: castro - ประเด็นร้อน

Origin of the Name Castro

Castro is one of the most famous surnames of all, perhaps not surprising as it describes someone who lived in a castle. It can be found in all European countries in various spellings and has particularly aristocratic associations in Spain, Portugal, and southern France, where the name bearers claimed to be known as the "Kings of Lyon". The original spelling was "de Castro", and coats of arms were granted to name bearers in almost all countries. The derivation comes from the old Latin word "castrum", which strictly translates to "The Legionary Camp", with various places in Southern Europe being called "Castro".

Various Forms of the Surname Castro

Among the various forms of the surname are the Italian Castri and De Castri, as well as the Spanish Castrillo, a diminutive form meaning "the son of Castro" or possibly "relative of Castro". The name was early in the United States with Macario Castro and his wife, the former Maria Potenciana Ramirez, who was recorded on February 17, 1784, in Santa Barbara, California. Early European church records include Antonia Sancta Castro from Valladolid, Spain, on December 12, 1588, and Augustin de Casto, who married Lucia Fernandez in San Pelago, Spain on February 12, 1810, during the Peninsular War from 1807-1813. The earliest coat of arms granted was 'Castro de Aragon' with the coat of arms of six golden bezants on a red field, 'Castro de Castile' was granted similar arms, six blue plates on a silver field. The first recorded spelling of the surname is that of Andreas Medina de Castro, dated December 13, 1556, Nuestra Senora La Antigua, Valladolid, Spain, during the reign of King Charles I of Spain, 1519-1556. Surnames became necessary as governments introduced personal taxation. In England, this was known as the Poll Tax. Over the centuries, surnames have continued to "evolve" in all countries, often resulting in astonishing variations from the original spelling.

Geographical Distribution of the Surname Castro

The Castro surname seems to have origins not only in the Iberian Peninsula but also in Italy, with presence in regions such as Tuscany, Rome, and Bari. The surname is also present among Filipino, Peruvian, and Chilean communities in Italy.

Castro has presences in various regions, with different spellings such as Castrucci in Genoa, De Castri in Latium, Di Castri in Apulia, and Li Castri in Palermo.

The surname has spread worldwide with descendants of the Castro name settling in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and other nations across the Americas.

Noble and Historical Family of Castro

This noble, ancient, and historical family of Castro is one of the five that descend from their primitive rulers in Castile and whose properties were regarded as the first in the peninsula since the earliest times. These five families were those of Lara, Haro, Castro, Guzmán, and Villamayor, which were granted preeminence over all others even in the fifteenth century, as recorded in the "Book of Laments" by Diego de San Pedro, Corregidor, in Valladolid.

The Castros acquired their surname from the place, later a town, of Castrogeriz, of which they were lords, in the province of Burgos, its original name being Castro-Xeriz.

The Castros held the most prominent positions and highest dignities throughout the Middle Ages. Wealthy men of noble blood and nature, they warranted royal privileges since the time of Emperor Don Alonso VII, fulfilling royal guardianships during the young age of some kings and commanding military operations over the kingdom's main seats.

The Castros, also referred to as the "first line," extended from the 11th to the 14th century and were divided into two large, equally powerful branches in the 12th century: the Lords of the House of Castro, which merged in the following century with the Counts of Urgel, the Viscounts of Cabrera, and the Lords of Lemos and Sarria.

Notable Descendants and Variations

Throughout the centuries, the Castro family has seen notable descendants and variations of the surname, adapting and establishing themselves in various regions across Europe and the Americas. From noble and prestigious lineages to diverse geographical connections, the name Castro continues to carry a significant historical and cultural legacy.

Bibliography

Di Crollalanza, Giovanni Battista. Dizionario Storico-Blasonico. Place: Publisher, Year.
Schaerf, Samuele. I Cognomi Degli Ebrei d'Italia. Publisher, Year.
Dauzat, Albert. Dictionnaire Étymologique des Noms de Famille et Prénoms de France. Publisher, Year.