Castor Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Castor Origin:

England, Greece

Origins of Castor:

The surname of Castor is said to be a locational name from the country of England. Since the surname of Castor is said to be locational, this means that it was often taken by the Lord or owner of the land from which the name derives. Others who may have taken a locational surname are people who have migrated out of the area to seek out work. The easiest way to identify someone who was a stranger at that time was by the name of their birthplace. In the case of the surname of Castor, the locations from which this surname was derived come from places named as Caistor, little villages and towns that were located within the counties of both Norfolk and Lincolnshire within the country of England. The word itself can be derived from the Old Roman word of “caester,” which can be translated to mean “fort” or “town.” The surname of Castor is also possibly a topographical surname. A topographical surname is used to describe someone who lived on or near a residential landmark. This landmark could be either man made or natural, and would have been easily identifiable in the area from which it hailed, thus making the people who lived near it easily distinguished. In the case of the surname of Castor, those who were known to bear this surname would have lived on or near, or worked on or near a fort within their community or town. The surname of Castor is also said to be a nickname from the country of Greece. It is a common element of surnames throughout Europe that many of them originally derived from nicknames, as it was a very common practice in medieval times. In the beginning, nicknames were applied to people who had distinguishing characteristics, such as moral or mental peculiarities, a similar appearance to a bird or animal, a similar disposition to a bird or animal, occupation of an individual, their habits, or their manner of dress. In the case of the surname of Castor, this nickname would have been given to someone who “shines” deriving from the Greek word “kekeasmai” which can be translated to mean “excel” or “shine.”

Variations:

More common variations are: Caistor, Castory, Castoro, Castori, Castore, Castora, Castorr, Castoer, Castoir, Castour, Castr, Castoria, Castorio

History:

England:

Within the country of England, those who bear the surname of Castor can be found in the areas of Hampshire, Devon, Warwickshire, and Lancashire.

United States of America:

In the United States, those who bear the surname of Castor are found in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Castor: Philippines 16,562; United States 6,250; Brazil 5,374; Haiti 2,594; Mexico 2,329; France 943; Germany 605; Saudi Arabia 577; Tanzania 353; Canada 265; Argentina 179; United Arab Emirates 161

Notable People:

Kathy Castor (born in 1966) who served as a U.S. Representative for the 11th Congressional District of the state of Florida, and who was a politician in America.

Jimmy Castor (born in 1947) who was a funk and pop musician from America, and who was most notably recognized for this hit “Troglodyte (Cave Man.”

George A. Castor (1855-1906) who was a politician from America.

Bruce Castor (born in 1961) who served as a District Attorney of Montgomery Country, and who was a politician and lawyer from America.

Betty Castor (born in 1941) who served as the President of the University of South Florida, and who was an educator and politician from America.

William N. Castor, who served as the Presidential Elector for the state of Michigan in the year of 1976, and who also served as the Alternate Delegate to the Republican National Convention from the state of Michigan in the year of 1988, and who was a Republican politician from America.

Tobias Castor (1840-1901) who served as a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention from the state of Nebraska in the year of 1876, and who was a Member of the Committee on Permanent Organization in this year, also served in this position in the year of 1888 and again in the year of 1892, and who was a Democratic politician from America.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Notes: (Norfolk). Blazon: Argent three bars gemelles gules Crest—A savage standing on a serpent proper.