Castiglione

Castiglione is an Italian surname and toponym used for multiple places in Italy. The name is of toponymic origin, derived from castello, meaning castle, and was historically used to identify people from villages or towns that housed a castle or fortress. Over time, Castiglione has come to refer both to families bearing the surname and to several geographic locations.

Geographically, Castiglione appears in the names of various Italian municipalities. Examples include Castiglione delle Stiviere in Lombardy; Castiglione Olona, also in Lombardy; Castiglione della Pescaia in Tuscany; and Castiglione di Sicilia in Sicily. These settlements reflect the common practice of naming towns after local fortifications or castles.

Notable individuals with the surname include Baldassare Castiglione (circa 1478–1529), an Italian courtier and diplomat associated with the court of Mantua. He is best known for The Book of the Courtier (Il Libro del Cortegiano), published in 1528, a seminal Renaissance treatise on etiquette, manners, and ideal conduct at court.

In addition to its use as a surname, Castiglione occurs in the names of historical families and noble lineages in Italy, reflecting the long-standing connection between place-based identities and family names in Italian history. The term remains in contemporary use as both a surname and a toponym, often signaling lineage or origin tied to a castello or fortified site.