Caslons

Caslons is a plural term with several related uses, most commonly tied to the Caslon surname and the Caslon type foundry in early modern Britain. In typography, Caslon refers to a family of serif typefaces designed by the English type founders of the Caslon workshop. The Caslon name comes from William Caslon I, who established a London foundry in the early 18th century. Caslon types were celebrated for their readability and their balanced, old-style features, and they became widely used in British printing and, through colonial presses, in early American documents. Over time, the Caslon foundry passed through the Caslon family and influenced later type revivals; the Caslon name is preserved in modern digital fonts that emulate or adapt the original characteristics.

In onomastics, Caslon is an English surname. Individuals bearing the name, collectively referred to as Caslons, include William Caslon I and other descendants who continued the foundry’s work. The surname remains relatively uncommon today.

In popular culture or fiction, Caslons may appear as a place name, a group, or a family name in various works. Because it is not tied to a single canonical subject, references to Caslons vary by source.

See also: Caslon, Caslon typeface, Caslon foundry.