Show ContentsCandows History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Candows family

The surname Candows was first found in Suffolk where they claim descent from Hugh de Montfort held by Roger de Candos, a Norman noble, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. 1

Robert de Chandos, of Candos in Eure in Normandy, was companion in arms to William the Conqueror and was granted Caerleon in Wales and lordships in Herefordshire where he founded Goldcliff Priory. The parish of Mugginton, Derbyshire played an important part of the family's heritage. "The manor, in Domesday Book Mogintune, was anciently held under Earl Ferrers, and in the reign of Edward I. was in moieties between the families of Chandos and Stafford." 2

Sir John Chandos (d. 1370), was an English soldier, descended from Robert de Chandos, a companion of William the Conqueror. In the thirteenth century two families claimed descent from this Robert-one settled in Herefordshire, and the other in Derbyshire. To the latter branch Sir John Chandos belonged. His father, Sir Edward Chandos, received a pension of 40l. for military service rendered in 1327. 3

Early History of the Candows family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Candows research. Another 140 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1191, 1346, 1357, 1510, 1543, 1600 and 1941 are included under the topic Early Candows History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Candows Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Chandos, Candos, Candoos, Candoes, Chandoes, Cando, Candow, Candows, Candoes, Chaundos, Chaundows and many more.

Early Notables of the Candows family

More information is included under the topic Early Candows Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Candows family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Candows or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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