Candelario
A surname from a personal name based on the Latin word for a candle or lamp, often linked to Christian devotion and the feast of Candlemas.
The #6,684 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 61,101 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Candelario is usually understood as a surname taken from the Spanish given name Candelario, which comes from Latin candela, meaning “candle” or “lamp.” The name has a Christian association, probably connected with candle-lighting rites and the feast of Candlemas. In surname form, it is best read as a name derived from a devotional personal name rather than from an occupation.
History
The surname is most strongly associated with Spanish-speaking communities, especially in the Caribbean and Latin America. It also appears in the United States through migration from those regions. Like many surnames formed from given names, it likely began as a family identifier passed down from an ancestor named Candelario.
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Fun fact
Candelario is also used as a male given name, not just a surname.