Show ContentsShanndler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Shanndler is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a person who makes and sells candles. More rarely, the surname Shanndler 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 Shanndler 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 Shanndler family

The surname Shanndler 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 Shanndler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shanndler 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 Shanndler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shanndler Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Shanndler include Chandler, Chandlers, Channdler, Channdlers, Candler, Chaundler and many more.

Early Notables of the Shanndler 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 Shanndler Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Shanndler family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Shanndler were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: John Chandler who settled in Virginia in 1623; followed by Arthur, Virginia 1623; Edmund Virginia 1630; Daniel Virginia in 1632; John, Maryland 1774; Mary, Virginia 1684.



  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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