Candless History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

Early Origins of the Candless family

The surname Candless was first found in Galloway (Gaelic: Gall-ghaidhealaibh), an area of southwestern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Dumfries and Galloway, that formerly consisted of the counties of Wigtown (West Galloway) and Kirkcudbright (East Galloway), where they held a family seat in Western Scotland. After the Norman Conquest of England many of Duke William's rebellious Barons moved north. The border became a convenient but turbulent no-man's land where the persecuted found haven. Many were given land by King Malcolm Canmore and later by King David of Scotland. Some Gallowegians were native Scots, some were Irish clans mostly from Ulster in the 13th century. The name was first recorded in Scotland about the 15th century in Wigtown. They may also have been McCanish sept of Atholl to the north.

"Eight of this name appear in Wigtownshire in eighteenth century (Wigtown). William M'Candlish in Balmangan, 1794 (Kirkcudbright). In 1684 the name appears as Makkanless, McCandlish McAndlish M'Canleis, and M'Caunles (Parish). The spelling with Mac is probably now extinct. From Irish MacCuindlis or MacCuindilis, son of Cuindleas." 1

Early History of the Candless family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Candless research. Another 122 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1684, 1794, 1806, 1873 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Candless History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Candless Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: McCandlish, McAndliss, McCandless, McChandliss, McChandlish, McChandless, McCandliss, McCaunless, McCaunles, McKanless, McCanless, Candlish and many more.

Early Notables of the Candless family

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

Migration of the Candless family to Ireland

Some of the Candless family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Candless family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: George McCandlish who held lands in what is now Milton in Pennsylvania, in 1775.

The Candless Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sola nobilitas virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue is the only nobility.

Sources +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)