# castellan

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkæstələn/ · frequency rank #90,263

## Definitions
1. A feudal lord with a fortified manor.
2. The governor or caretaker entrusted to oversee a castle or keep for its lord.

## Etymology
From Middle English castelain, from Old French castelain (compare modern châtelain), from Latin castellanus (“pertaining to a castle, an occupant of a castle, or a governor of a castle”), from castellum castle, citadel, diminutive of castrum fortified place. See castle. By surface analysis, Old French castel + -an and castle + -an. Doublet of Castilian, castellano, castellanus, and chatelain /chatelaine.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/castellan