Candelaria

Etymology

Candelaria comes from Spanish, where it refers to Candlemas or the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin Mary. The word ultimately goes back to Latin candela, meaning “candle.” As a surname, it is usually understood as a name formed from a religious feast name rather than from a place or occupation.

History

In Spanish-speaking naming traditions, feast-day names often became surnames or personal names, especially in Catholic communities. Candelaria is also found as a place name in the Hispanic world, so some surname lines may be locational in practice. In the United States it is most often associated with Hispanic or Latino family lines.

Origin

Regions

Variant spellings

Fun fact

Candlemas is celebrated on February 2 in many Christian traditions, and the surname preserves that liturgical calendar heritage.

Related surnames