NameCensus.

UK surname

Castro

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a castle, fortress, or fortified building.

In the 1881 census there were 56 people recorded with the Castro surname, ranking it #25,733 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,225, ranked #4,864, up from #25,733 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, St James Clerkenwell and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Bournemouth, Brent and Horsham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Castro is 1,225 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2087.5%.

1881 census count

56

Ranked #25,733

Modern count

1,225

2016, ranked #4,864

Peak year

2016

1,225 bearers

Map years

4

1911 to 2016

Key insights

  • Castro had 56 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #25,733 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,225 in 2016, ranked #4,864.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 112 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Young Families.

Castro surname distribution map

The map shows where the Castro surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Castro surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Castro over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 28 #28,274
1861 historical 29 #30,287
1881 historical 56 #25,733
1891 historical 79 #26,897
1901 historical 75 #25,852
1911 historical 112 #21,274
1997 modern 506 #9,218
1998 modern 565 #8,738
1999 modern 600 #8,438
2000 modern 594 #8,478
2001 modern 592 #8,370
2002 modern 657 #7,880
2003 modern 644 #7,877
2004 modern 681 #7,569
2005 modern 702 #7,329
2006 modern 768 #6,857
2007 modern 819 #6,567
2008 modern 839 #6,501
2009 modern 897 #6,285
2010 modern 971 #6,015
2011 modern 965 #5,987
2012 modern 1,053 #5,482
2013 modern 1,111 #5,330
2014 modern 1,177 #5,110
2015 modern 1,200 #4,973
2016 modern 1,225 #4,864

Geography

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Where Castros are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, St James Clerkenwell, St John Hackney and St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Bournemouth, Brent, Horsham, Westminster and Worthing. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 London parishes London 3
3 St James Clerkenwell London (Central Districts)
4 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
5 St Paul Deptford, St Nicholas Deptford London (South Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Bournemouth 019 Bournemouth
2 Brent 031 Brent
3 Horsham 008 Horsham
4 Westminster 011 Westminster
5 Worthing 010 Worthing

Forenames

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First names often paired with Castro

These lists show first names that appear often with the Castro surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Castro

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Castro, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Multicultural and Educated Urbanites

Group

Ethnically Diverse Young Families

Nationally, the Castro surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Young Families, within Multicultural and Educated Urbanites. This does not mean every Castro household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group includes many younger parents born overseas (particularly in Africa or EU countries) with children aged 0-4. Individuals identifying as of Mixed or Multiple ethnicities are also common. English may not be the primary language spoken. Accommodation consists principally of flats, and many properties are socially rented and/or overcrowded. Students are also present, unemployment is common, and other adults tend to work in low skilled jobs.

Wider pattern

Established populations comprising ethnic minorities together with persons born outside the UK predominate in this Supergroup. Residents present diverse personal characteristics and circumstances: while generally well-educated and practising skilled occupations, some residents live in overcrowded rental sector housing. English may not be the main language used by people in this Group. Although the typical adult resident is middle aged, single person households are common and marriage rates are low by national standards. This Supergroup predominates in Inner London, with smaller enclaves in many other densely populated metropolitan areas.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Social Rented Sector Families with Children

Group

Social Rented Sector Pockets

Within London, Castro is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Pockets, part of Social Rented Sector Families with Children. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Found in pockets across London, residents are less likely to live in private sector rentals and fewer adults are students. Fewer individuals work in transport and communications occupations relative to the Supergroup average. More individuals identify as Black and were born in Africa.

Wider London pattern

Residents of these neighbourhoods include sizable numbers identifying with ethnicities originating outside Europe, particularly in Africa or Bangladesh. The proportion of residents identifying as White, Indian or Pakistani is well below the London average. Neighbourhood age profiles are skewed towards younger adults, and above average numbers of families have children. Rates of use of English at home are below average. Marriage rates are low, and levels of separation or divorce are above average. Housing is predominantly in flats, and renting in the social rented sector the norm - few residents are owner occupiers. Housing is often overcrowded, and neighbourhoods are amongst the most densely populated in London. Disability rates are above average, although levels of unpaid care provision are about average. Employment is in caring, leisure, other service occupations, sales and customer service, or process, plant, and machine operation. Part time working and full-time student study are common. Levels of unemployment are slightly above average. Most residents have only Level 1 or 2 educational qualifications or have completed apprenticeships.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Castro is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Castro falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Castro is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - Other

This describes the area pattern most associated with Castro, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Castro

The surname Castro is of Spanish origin, derived from the Latin word "castrum," meaning "fortified place" or "castle." It likely arose during the period of the Reconquista, the centuries-long struggle between Christian and Moorish forces in the Iberian Peninsula.

The name is thought to have originated in the northern regions of Spain, particularly in Galicia and Asturias, where many fortified settlements and castles were established during the Reconquista. The earliest recorded instances of the name Castro can be found in medieval documents and charters from these areas.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Rodrigo Castro, a nobleman and military commander who fought against the Moors in the 12th century. Another notable figure was Pedro Fernández de Castro, a 13th-century nobleman and military leader who played a pivotal role in the conquest of Seville.

The name Castro is also associated with several place names in Spain, such as Castro Urdiales in Cantabria, Castro Caldelas in Galicia, and Castro del Río in Andalusia. These place names likely influenced the adoption of the surname by residents of these areas.

Throughout history, there have been several prominent individuals with the surname Castro. One of the most famous was Fidel Castro, the former revolutionary leader and President of Cuba (1926-2016). Another notable figure was Américo Castro (1885-1972), a Spanish scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the study of Spanish literature and culture.

Other notable individuals with the surname Castro include:

1. Cipriano Castro (1859-1924), a Venezuelan military officer and President of Venezuela from 1899 to 1908. 2. Inés de Castro (c. 1325-1355), a Galician noblewoman and tragic figure in Portuguese history, whose love story with King Pedro I of Portugal has been widely romanticized. 3. José María Castro (1892-1964), a Mexican painter and muralist, known for his depictions of indigenous Mexican culture. 4. Rosalía de Castro (1837-1885), a Galician romantic poet and novelist, considered one of the most significant figures in Galician literature.

The surname Castro has a rich history rooted in the Iberian Peninsula, tracing its origins back to the medieval period and the struggle against Moorish rule. It has been borne by many notable individuals throughout history, reflecting its enduring presence in Spanish-speaking cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Castro families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Castro surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 37 Castros recorded in 1881 and an index of 6.78x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 37 6.78x
Surrey 8 3.01x
Lancashire 6 0.93x
Durham 2 1.23x
Hampshire 1 0.89x
Staffordshire 1 0.54x
Yorkshire 1 0.18x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Islington London in Middlesex leads with 10 Castros recorded in 1881 and an index of 18.90x.

Place Total Index
Islington London 10 18.90x
Newington 6 29.75x
Clerkenwell London 5 38.79x
Edmonton 5 113.64x
Charterhouse London 4 1538.46x
Kensington London 4 13.18x
Liverpool 4 10.17x
Bethnal Green London 3 12.65x
St George In East London 3 58.37x
Heaton Norris 2 54.20x
Mitcham 2 119.05x
Sunderland 2 69.69x
Isleworth 1 41.15x
Middlesbrough 1 14.18x
Portsea 1 4.56x
Shoreditch London 1 4.22x
St Paul Covent Garden 1 181.82x
Wolverhampton 1 7.06x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Castro surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 3
Emily 2
Jane 2
Mary 2
Ada 1
Amelia 1
Angelei 1
Annie 1
Celia 1
Emilia 1
Emma 1
Frances 1
Harriet 1
Inez 1
Kate 1
Louisa 1
Louise 1
Lusia 1
Moonei 1
Rosina 1
William 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Castro surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Thomas 4
Charles 3
John 3
William 3
Edwin 2
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Antinio 1
Edward 1
Frederick 1
Fredrick 1
George 1
Harry 1
Henriqe 1
James 1
Jean 1
Jonathan 1
Joseph 1
Percival 1
Reuben 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Castro households.

FAQ

Castro surname: questions and answers

How common was the Castro surname in 1881?

In 1881, 56 people were recorded with the Castro surname. That placed it at #25,733 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Castro surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,225 in 2016. That gives Castro a modern rank of #4,864.

What does the Castro surname mean?

A locational surname referring to someone who lived near a castle, fortress, or fortified building.

What does the Castro map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Castro bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.