Surname Candelaria - Meaning and Origin

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Z. Candelaria

Candelaria: What does the surname Candelaria mean?

Candelaria is a Spanish and Jewish surname derived from the Latin candela, meaning “candle”. It has several different spellings, including Candelier, Candelario and Candelária. The surname can also refer to a few particular places in Spain, including a town in Granada, a town in Cantabria and a valley in the Pyrenees region. In Jewish tradition, it can be a variant of the name Chanukah, referring to the Jewish festival of lights.

The literal meaning of the name usually evokes images of candlelight or lighting up one's path in the darkness. The surname may also have connections to the Catholic feast of the Nativity of Our Lady of Candelaria,celebrated on February 2 each year in the Canary Islands and parts of Latin America. It commemorates the miraculous finding of a statue of the Virgin Mary by two Spanish Catholic missionaries in the 13th century.

In modern times, the last name Candelaria is common amongst Spanish-speaking countries and is gaining popularity in the United States. It is often associated with strong faith and religious devotion, symbolizing hope to those who bear it. With its unique origins, Candelaria is a meaningful and special name that breathes life and energy into any family.

Candelaria: Where does the name Candelaria come from?

The last name Candelaria is most common in southwestern Europe and the Americas. In Spain, it is primarily found in Zaragoza and surrounding regions of northern Aragon. As for the Americas, it is found in Mexico, specifically in Guanajuato, where a large population of Candelaria descendants reside. It is also found in the United States particularly in California, with a heavy concentration in Bakersfield. It is also scattered throughout Arizona and Texas.

The origin of the surname is uncertain but it is likely of Spanish and Portuguese influence. It is presumed to be derived from the Latin word 'candelarius', which means 'candlestick maker'. This provides a possible explanation of why the surname is exclusive to western Europe and the Americas, since these were the territories where Christianity and its associated professions had spread.

Candelaria families throughout Europe and the Americas can trace their origins back to a common ancestor. Due to various cultural traditions blending and diverging across generational lines, modern Candelarias are found in diverse backgrounds and speak many languages. As a global community, Candelarias of today can trace their roots, celebrate their diversity, and create new connections with each other and the world at large.

Variations of the surname Candelaria

The surname Candelaria is a Spanish surname and can be seen spelled in different ways. Variants of the surname include Candelária, Candelario, Candelería, Candelerío, and Candelerio. There is debate regarding the etymological origin and meaning of the surname, but many agree that it likely originates from the Spanish noun candela.

Candelaria may be a habitational surname, which is a type of surname derived from a location such as a town or region. In this case, Candelaria is believed to be derived from the town of Candelaria, located in the Canary Islands. If the name is habitational, the surname could also designate persons who come from any place that has been named for the Virgin Mary of Candelaria, the patron saint of the Canary Islands.

Candelaria can also be seen as a toponymic surname, meaning that it is a name derived from a physical geography feature, or that it denotes a place of origin. In this case, the respondent may have originated from any place called Candelaria, and the meaning of the surname would remain the same, and be derived from the town or region of Candelaria.

A fairly common variation of the name in both Spain and the United States is Candelario, and both the Spanish and U.S. variations of the name may be seen in records going back to the 16th century. As with many surnames, there are also numerous spellings and variations depending on the language, which could include Kandelaria, Kundelario, Qandelario, and Kandelario.

In terms of surnames derived from Candelaria, some may include Candelária, Candelario, Candelerie, Candelería, Candelerío, Candelerio, Kandelaria, Kundelario, Qandelario, and Kandelario. All of these surnames stem from the town of Candelaria and the Virgin Mary of Candelaria, the patron saint of the Canary Islands, and have various spellings depending on the language.

Famous people with the name Candelaria

• Carlos Candelaria: Professional wrestler
• Ricardo Candelaria: San Francisco de Macoris-born Dominican baseball player
• Fernando Candelaria: Award-winning music producer, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist
• Jennifer Candelaria Reed: American politician who has served in the New Mexico House of Representatives
• Antonio Candelaria: US-based visual artist known for his abstract paintings, sculpture, and installations
• Celia Cruz: Cuban-American salsa singer who used the stage name "Celia Candelaria"
• Alfonso Candelaria: Mexican singer and actor
• Alfred Candelaria: American professional wrestler
• Nicole Candelaria: Professional makeup artist
• Rey Candelaria: Professional boxer from Mexico

Other surnames

CandelaCandelario