CASTRO Family History

Castro is one of the most famous of all surnames, perhaps not surprisingly as it describes one who lived in a castle. It is found in various spellings in every European country, and has particularly aristocratic associations in Spain, Portugal and Southern France, where the nameholders held claims to be known as the 'Kings of Lyon'. The original spellings were as 'de Castro', and coats of arms were granted to nameholders in almost every country. The derivation is from the ancient Latin word 'castrum' which strictly translates as 'The legionnaires camp', various places being called 'Castro' in Southern Europe.