Show ContentsChandlers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The many generations and branches of the Chandlers family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a person who makes and sells candles. More rarely, the surname Chandlers may have been applied to someone who had the responsibility of lighting the candles in a large house or someone who owed rent in the form of wax or candles. The surname Chandlers is derived from the Old English words chaundeler and chandeler, which in turn come from the Old French word chandelier. This is derived from the late Latin word candelarius, which comes from the word candela, which means candle. This Latin word comes from the word candere, which means to be bright. 1

Early Origins of the Chandlers family

The surname Chandlers was first found in Yorkshire where the first record was that of the occupation: Nicholas de Malton, candelery 7 Edward II (Freemen of York.) Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Matilda Candeler. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: Reginald le Chandeler, London; and William Candelarius, Leicestershire. 2

Another source notes that Matthew le Candeler from London, was also listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 and that William le Chandeler was found in the Assize Rolls for Essex in 1285. 3

Early History of the Chandlers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chandlers research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1274, 1296, 1330, 1548, 1566, 1567, 1668, 1687, 1693, 1697, 1701, 1703, 1717, 1737, 1739, 1744, 1745, 1750, 1766, 1783, 1786, 1787, 1791, 1800, 1804, 1820, 1856, 1859, 1860, 1875 and 1881 are included under the topic Early Chandlers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chandlers Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Chandlers were recorded, including Chandler, Chandlers, Channdler, Channdlers, Candler, Chaundler and many more.

Early Notables of the Chandlers family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Edward Chandler (1668?-1750), Bishop of Durham, son of Samuel Chandler of Dublin. "He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and in 1693 became M.A., was ordained priest, and appointed chaplain to Lloyd, bishop of Winchester. In 1697 he became prebendary of Lichfield; became D.D. in 1701, and in 1703 received the stall in Salisbury vacant by the death...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chandlers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Chandlers migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Chandlers family emigrate to North America:

Chandlers Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • M. T. Chandlers, who settled in San Francisco in 1852


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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