Map of France showing where the Castles arms are recorded
The Castles arms were recorded in Toulouse, c. 1663.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Castles arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Castles Family in France
The surname Castles is a topographic name, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived near a prominent fortification or a large stone house. While the name is often associated with English-speaking regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Toulouse, France, as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Toulouse was a major center for trade and legal administration, and families living there were often deeply integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. The presence of the family in this region suggests that they were part of the social fabric of southern France during a time of significant cultural and political transition. Over time, as family members migrated across borders, the spelling of the name adapted to fit the phonetic patterns of different languages, eventually solidifying into the version used today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
castellum
A Latin term referring to a fort, castle, or fortified place.
This name
CastlesA topographic name for someone who lived near or worked at a castle.
also spelled
Castelz
Kastels
Castles
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de la Haute-Garonne, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil de Toulouse, 1663
Dauzat, Albert, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms et prénoms de France, 1951
Morlet, Marie-Thérèse, Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de famille, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
