The word Châtelain (French) or Castellan (Latin) was used to describe the governor of a castle.

The feminine form, Châtelaine (“A female Castellan; mistress of a castle or country house”) was the woman who supervised daily operations, kept the keys, and was most often in charge of ensuring that hospitality was extended to guests.

In the SCA, the Chatelaine is the officer who greets newcomers and then assists them in their efforts to find their personal place within the Society for Creative Anachronim.