Costello Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Costello last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Costello last name
Meaning of the Costello last name: son of Oisdealb. Costello is unusual: an Irish Mac name formed from a Norman family. The de Angulo family, who came to Ireland after 1169, adopted the Gaelic form Mac Oisdealbhaigh, "son of Oisdealb", from one of their leaders. They held land in east Mayo, where the barony of Costello still carries the name. The name later spread to Clare and Limerick, and the spelling Costelloe is common in Munster. The barony of Costello in east Mayo was the heartland of the family, whose seat was at Castlemore, and they held the barony until the late 16th century. The de Angulo family, also known as Nangle, were among the first Anglo-Norman settlers in Meath, and one branch moved west into Connacht in the 13th century. Their adoption of a Gaelic Mac name is a good example of how Norman families became integrated into Irish society. Many Costellos emigrated to the United States, England and Australia in the 19th century.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Costello name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Costello name in Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, England and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Your full Costello pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Costello coat of arms for you.
Costello name FAQ
What does the Costello name mean?
Son of Oisdealb. Common variants include Costelloe, Costelo, MacCostello.
Where does the Costello surname come from?
It originates in Ireland, and is also found in the United States, England and Australia.
Is there a Costello coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Costello crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Costello coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).