Map of France showing where the Castorena arms are recorded
The Castorena arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1663.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
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 Castorena 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 Artois.
Origin & History of the Castorena Family in France
The history of the Castorena name in France is deeply rooted in the northern region of Artois, where records confirm the family was established by at least 1663. During the seventeenth century, Artois was a territory defined by its transition between Spanish and French rule, creating a unique cultural environment for the families living there. The name likely evolved from regional linguistic patterns common to the borderlands of the Low Countries and northern France. Families in this area often worked in agriculture or local trade, contributing to the stability of rural villages during a period of frequent military conflict. By maintaining their presence in Artois, the early members of the Castorena line helped preserve the local traditions and social structures that defined life in the province before it was fully integrated into the kingdom of France.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
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. an eagle displ. barry ar. and gu”
Englandc. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Castorena arms are recorded
The Castorena arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Castorena 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 Castorena Family in England
The history of the Castorena name in England is deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the seventeenth century. While the name itself carries linguistic ties to Latin and Romance languages, records confirm that family members were established in the city of York by 1620. During this era, York served as a vital northern hub for trade and religious life, attracting individuals from across Europe who sought new opportunities in a rapidly changing society. Families like the Castorenas often integrated into the local community by participating in the city's robust merchant guilds and parish life. Their presence in such a historically significant city suggests they were part of the broader movement of people who helped shape the social and economic fabric of northern England during the early modern period.
Castorena Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Castor
Latin term for a beaver or a mythological twin hero.
This name
CastorenaDerived from a topographic or occupational name referring to someone who hunted or trapped beavers.
also spelled
Castres
Castree
Kastr
Caster
Castor
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Pas-de-Calais, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, Series 5 E
Lottin, Alain, Histoire des provinces françaises du Nord: Tome 1, De la fin du XIVe siècle à 1661, 1989
Péret, Jacques, Les provinces françaises sous l'Ancien Régime, 1994
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
