Surname Costello - Meaning and Origin

Discovering My Celtic Roots: An Emotional Journey with iGENEA

Discovering my Celtic roots with iGENEA was an emotion-filled journey of self-discovery. The DNA test connected me with my distant ancestors and gave my surname, Costello, a context and a rich history.

F. Costello

Costello: What does the surname Costello mean?

The surname Costello is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Coisdealbha," which means "son of Coisdealbh." The word "Coisdealbh" itself is believed to mean "well-shaped" or "beautiful." The name was initially used in regions of Connacht, particularly in counties Roscommon and Mayo. The Costello families were prominent Irish gentry, who ruled vast territories under their clan system. However, post the Anglo-Norman invasion and widespread adoption of surnames, the Costellos spread into different territories. Nowadays, it is a common Irish surname, and many descendants have migrated around the globe due to the Irish diaspora. Like many Irish surnames, the original Gaelic form of the name was anglicized, in this case to Costello. Famous people with the surname Costello include the English musician Elvis Costello and the American comedian Lou Costello.

Costello: Where does the name Costello come from?

The surname Costello originates from Ireland, derived from the Gaelic Oistealb, Oisdealbh or Mac Coisdealbhaigh, meaning "exalted hostage". The name was usually given to those who served as a pledge or surety in treaty negotiations between Gaelic chieftains. It is associated with the historical kingdom of Ui Maine in the Connacht region of northwestern Ireland, where the O'Costello clan were lords.

In the 17th century, many Costellos were dispossessed of their lands during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland and migrated elsewhere. As a result, the surname has spread around the world due to Irish diaspora. Today, it remains a common Irish surname and is especially prevalent in County Mayo, Ireland. Besides Ireland, it is also widespread in English-speaking countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It may be found as Costello, Kostelo, MacCostello or O'Costello, reflecting its various Gaelic origins. Many people named Costello in non-English-speaking countries are likely to be of Irish descent. Notable people with this surname include the British musician Elvis Costello and the former Australian politician Peter Costello.

Variations of the surname Costello

The surname Costello has multiple variants and spellings due to its popular usage in different regions and cultures. These variations could stem from spelling errors, different dialects, or personal preference by families. Variant forms for Costello include Costillo, Costell, Corsello, Costelli, Costella, Costelo, Costeloe, Costollo, Costilo, Costloe, Costlow, Kostello, and Costellow.

The surname is derived from the Irish Gaelic name Mac Coisdealbha, which translates to "son of Coisdealbh,” where Coisdealbh means "exalted person." Therefore, related surnames of Irish origin may also include MacCostello, O’Costello, Costley, Costloe and MacOisdealbha.

In some Spanish-speaking countries, the surname Castello or Castillo, which can translate to 'castle,' is sometimes changed to Costello. Similarly, Italian surnames Costello or Castello, which also translates to 'castle,' could originally be from the same root.

The surname Kostel, common in Czech and eastern European countries, may also be changed to Costello upon immigration to English-speaking countries. Maciosdealbh, which shares a similar phonetic sound to the original Gaelic Mac Coisdealbha, is another potential ancestral name. It is always recommended to research further for personal genealogical investigations.

Famous people with the name Costello

• Elvis Costello: A renowned English musician, singer, and songwriter who rose to fame in the late 1970s with his band, The Attractions.
• Lou Costello: An American comedian, best known for his part in the comedy duo, Abbott and Costello. He is remembered for the "Who's on First?" routine.
• Frank Costello: An Italian-American gangster and influential figure in organized crime in the United States during the early-to-mid 20th century.
• Dolores Costello: An American film actress who became a major star during the silent film era. She was married to actor John Barrymore and is the grandmother of actress Drew Barrymore.
• Pete Costello: An American comedian and actor, known for his work as the voice of the Hanna-Barbera cartoon character, Magilla Gorilla.
• Helene Costello: An American stage and film actress, most successful during the silent era. She was the sister of Dolores Costello.
• Mae Costello: An American stage and film actress of the early 20th-century and the mother of actresses Dolores Costello and Helene Costello.
• Bebe Costello: An American singer-songwriter, known for her work in the country music genre.
• Dominic Costello: A British journalist and author who covers sports, especially football.
• Mark Costello: An American author known for his novels "Bag Men" and "Big If," and former state commissioner in Oklahoma.

Other surnames

CostellicCostelloe