Surname Candela - Meaning and Origin
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Candela: What does the surname Candela mean?
The last name Candela is of Spanish origin. It is derived from the Spanish word "candela" which means "candle," referring to a person with a religious or spiritual disposition.
The surname is most commonly found in areas of Spain and countries where Spanish settlers have made a home, such as Mexico, Argentina, and the United States. It is a fairly common surname both in Spain and throughout the Americas.
One account of the origin of the last name Candela suggests that it was initially used to identify someone who displayed religious piety or who was particularly devout. Others suggest that it may have referred to a candle maker or candle seller.
The Candela surname is often accompanied by an ornamentation, which is usually a symbol of the Virgin Mary. This ornamentation dates back to the 16th century and is a tribute to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.
The surname Candela is more than just a hereditary link, it is a symbol of faith and resilience and a reminder of the family’s heritage. It is often seen as a sign of proud Catholicism that has been passed down for generations and it connects the family’s history to the Catholic faith.
Order DNA origin analysisCandela: Where does the name Candela come from?
The surname Candela is very common throughout the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in regions of Spain, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It is also found in smaller numbers in other countries such as the United States, Argentina, and the Philippines.
In Spain, the Candela surname is quite common in areas such as Madrid, Andalusia and the Canary Islands (particularly the island of Tenerife). In Mexico, it is found mainly in the northwestern state of Sonora, as well as in the south-central states of Morelos and Guerrero. The Caribbean countries with the highest number of Candela surname holders are Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
In the United States, Candela is found mostly in regions heavily populated by people of Latin American ethnicity or descent, such as southern California, New York, and Miami. This is likely due to the fact that this name originated in the Hispanic world and has been brought over by immigrants.
In Argentina, most Candela holders are found in the provinces of La Rioja and Buenos Aires, as well as in the capital city of Buenos Aires. And in the Philippines, the name is found mainly in the provinces of Cebu, Pampanga, and Pasay.
Overall, the surname Candela is still fairly common today, although its distribution varies based on geography.
Variations of the surname Candela
The surname Candela is a Spanish surname with Latin roots and has been popularized in various regions, including England, Spain, Italy, and Latin America. Candela is an ancient name deriving from the Latin word "candela," meaning light or candle, which is heavily associated with the symbol of purity, righteousness, and guidance.
The Candela surname has numerous spelling variations, including Candelas, Candeau, Candelaer, Candler, Chandelier, Chantal, Chantilly, Chando, and Chantecleer. The surname is commonly found in Latin American countries and, in some areas, can also be seen spelled as Candal, Candales, Candeles, Kandelas, Candela, Candel, Candell, and Candeler.
In Spain, the surname Candela is quite prominent in the Province of Asturias, where it is believed that the Candela surname was first used in families of ancient nobility who had lived as far back as the 1500s. In Italy, the popularitiy of Candela is highest in the regions of Naples, Bari, and Sicily.
In England, several families bearing the surname Candela have migrated from continental Europe, likely due to their persecutions as nonconformists in their native lands. It has been noted that in Cornwall (the most western peninsula of England) many descendants of nonconformists often took the local surname succumbing to a sort of 'Englishification' of their original. For example, instead of a French name like Candela, many families adopted regional surnames which then evolved into variants like Candler and Candless.
In the United States, the Candela surname is most commonly found among Latin-American families, particularly in states with large populations of immigrants such as California, New York, Arizona, New Jersey, and Texas. Variants of Candela are also found among those with English, Dutch, German, and Polish ancestry.
Famous people with the name Candela
- Eva Candela: Spanish fashion model and entrepreneur born in 1990, Madrid, Spain who has modeled for the likes of Vogue, Glamour, and Harper's Bazaar.
- María Candela Vetrano: Argentine actress, model, and television presenter born in 1983, Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has acted in numerous films and television shows, including Locas De Amor, Porque te Quiero Así, and Mucho Wallas.
- Óscar Candela: Spanish football midfielder who plays for UD Las Palmas and the Spain national team. Born in 1984 in Barcelona, Spain, he has played for a number of clubs including FC Barcelona, Real Betis, and Club Atlas of Mexico.
- Antonio Candela: Italian former football player and manager, born 1952, Calabria, Italy. He represented the Italy national team 11 times and also managed A.C. Milan in 1991/1992.
- Gianni Candela: Italian rower, born 1970 in Veneto, Italy. He competed for Italy in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and then in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics in Sydney and Athens.
- Manuel Candela: Spanish former cyclist, born 1935 in Barcelona, Spain. Participated in the 1957 Vuelta a España and placed in the top 20.
- Guillermo Candela: Cuban fencer, born 1987. He competed in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, winning the gold medal in the individual sabre event. He also competed in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal in the team sabre event in 2008.
- Miguel Angel Candela: Spanish taekwondo practitioner and gold medalist, born 1987 in Madrid, Spain. He won gold medals in the 2007 Taekwondo World Championships and the 2012 European Championships.