A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Castile family of England.
Reg. 1717 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a four towered castle az”
Englandc. 1568
Where the Castile Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Castile arms are recorded
The Castile arms were recorded in England, c. 1568.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Castile arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Castile Family in England
The surname Castile likely originated as a locative name, which means it was used to identify people based on the place where they lived or originated. In the context of the British Isles, the name is often linked to the historical region of Castile in Spain, though it was frequently adopted by families who had no direct Spanish ancestry. By the year 1568, records confirm that members of the Castile family were established in the city of York. During this period, York was a major center for trade and religious life in Northern England. Families living there often worked in skilled crafts or local commerce, contributing to the city's growth during the Elizabethan era. Because surnames were still evolving in their spelling during the sixteenth century, the name may have appeared in various forms in parish registers and court documents as scribes recorded it phonetically.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Castellum
Latin term referring to a fortified place or castle.
This name
CastileA topographic name for someone who lived near a castle or fortified structure.
also spelled
Kastile
Castyl
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
York City Archives, Parish Registers of York, 1568
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towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
