A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Castle family of England.
Reg. 5209 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three castles triple-towered gu. a dragon’s head couped at the neck gu”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1433
Where the Castle Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Castle arms are recorded
The Castle arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1433.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in England when the Castle 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Castle Family in England
The surname Castle originated as a locative name, meaning it was used to identify people who lived near or worked at a fortified structure. During the Middle Ages, individuals often adopted the names of prominent local landmarks to distinguish themselves from others in their village. By 1433, records confirm that members of the Castle family were well-established in the county of Norfolk. This region was a center of trade and agriculture in medieval England, and families living there were often tied to the management of local estates or the protection of manor houses. Over time, the name evolved from a simple description of a person’s home into a permanent family identifier that was passed down through generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
castellum
A Latin term referring to a fort, fortress, or small castle.
This name
CastleA topographic name for someone who lived near a castle or worked within one.
also spelled
Castell
Castel
Kastle
Related arms
Castelvariant spelling
Castellvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Norfolk Record Office, Norfolk Manorial Documents, 1433
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
dragonA most valiant defender of treasure
