NameCensus.

UK surname

Candler

An occupational surname referring to a person who made or sold candles.

In the 1881 census there were 576 people recorded with the Candler surname, ranking it #6,047 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 591, ranked #8,825, down from #6,047 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Seamer and Shalford. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Lockerbie, South Holland and Chelmsford.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Candler is 738 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has stayed broadly stable by 2.6%.

1881 census count

576

Ranked #6,047

Modern count

591

2016, ranked #8,825

Peak year

1911

738 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Candler had 576 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,047 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 591 in 2016, ranked #8,825.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 738 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Candler surname distribution map

The map shows where the Candler surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Candler surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Candler over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 445 #5,532
1861 historical 421 #6,096
1881 historical 576 #6,047
1891 historical 553 #6,848
1901 historical 634 #6,768
1911 historical 738 #5,810
1997 modern 679 #7,419
1998 modern 712 #7,378
1999 modern 719 #7,369
2000 modern 717 #7,374
2001 modern 700 #7,367
2002 modern 696 #7,546
2003 modern 658 #7,764
2004 modern 635 #7,972
2005 modern 612 #8,153
2006 modern 616 #8,117
2007 modern 625 #8,093
2008 modern 632 #8,085
2009 modern 640 #8,168
2010 modern 656 #8,181
2011 modern 645 #8,202
2012 modern 618 #8,395
2013 modern 631 #8,407
2014 modern 631 #8,442
2015 modern 611 #8,619
2016 modern 591 #8,825

Geography

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Where Candlers are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Seamer, Shalford and Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Lockerbie, South Holland and Chelmsford. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 1
2 Seamer Yorkshire, North Riding
3 London parishes London 3
4 Shalford Essex
5 Chelmsford, Broomfield, Writtle, Widford, Chignal St James, Chignal Smealy Essex

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Lockerbie Dumfries and Galloway
2 South Holland 003 South Holland
3 Chelmsford 011 Chelmsford
4 Chelmsford 006 Chelmsford
5 South Holland 002 South Holland

Forenames

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First names often paired with Candler

These lists show first names that appear often with the Candler surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Candler

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Candler, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Candler surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Candler household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Candler is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Candler is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Candler falls in decile 5 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

5
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Candler is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Candler, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Candler

The surname Candler has its origins in England and is believed to have derived from the Old English word "candel," meaning "candle." This surname was initially adopted as an occupational name for individuals who were involved in the production or selling of candles.

The earliest recorded instances of the Candler surname can be traced back to the late 12th century in various regions of England, including Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Suffolk. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a record from the time of King Edward I, the name is listed as "Candeler" and "Candeler le candelmaker."

During the medieval period, the Candler surname appeared in several historical documents and records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1210, where a William Candeler is mentioned. The Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327 also include a reference to a John Candeler.

One notable individual bearing the Candler surname was Robert Candler (c. 1460 - c. 1540), a prominent English composer and musician during the Renaissance period. He served as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal under King Henry VIII and contributed to the Eton Choirbook, a significant collection of English sacred music from the early 16th century.

Another noteworthy figure was Robert Candlish (1806 - 1873), a Scottish minister and theologian who played a significant role in the Disruption of 1843, which led to the formation of the Free Church of Scotland. He was a renowned preacher and author, publishing numerous works on theology and church history.

In the United States, the Candler name gained prominence through the entrepreneurial success of Asa Griggs Candler (1851 - 1929), a businessman and philanthropist best known for acquiring and popularizing the Coca-Cola brand. He also founded Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and played a vital role in the city's development.

Other individuals bearing the Candler surname include Edward Candler (1874 - 1953), an English cricketer who played for Oxford University and Kent County Cricket Club, and John Candler (1787 - 1869), an English architect who designed numerous churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.

While the Candler surname has its roots in England, it has since spread to various parts of the world, with notable bearers across different fields, reflecting the diverse and rich history associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Candler families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Candler surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 106 Candlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.88x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 106 1.88x
Essex 94 8.46x
Surrey 75 2.73x
Suffolk 61 8.90x
Norfolk 58 6.70x
Kent 51 2.66x
Yorkshire 46 0.82x
Lancashire 15 0.22x
Durham 13 0.78x
Cambridgeshire 11 3.09x
Rutland 9 21.78x
Somerset 7 0.77x
Devon 5 0.43x
Sussex 5 0.53x
Gloucestershire 4 0.36x
Cardiganshire 2 1.46x
Hampshire 2 0.17x
Northumberland 2 0.24x
Shropshire 2 0.41x
Berkshire 1 0.24x
Dorset 1 0.27x
Leicestershire 1 0.16x
Lincolnshire 1 0.11x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.13x
Oxfordshire 1 0.29x
Royal Navy 1 1.49x
Warwickshire 1 0.07x
Worcestershire 1 0.14x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Lambeth in Surrey leads with 17 Candlers recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.46x.

Place Total Index
Lambeth 17 3.46x
Croydon 16 10.51x
Chelmsford 15 78.70x
Bethnal Green London 13 5.32x
Great Dunham 13 1710.53x
Shalford 13 921.99x
Crook Billy Row 12 55.97x
Scarborough 12 23.68x
Whitechapel London 12 21.63x
Beccles 11 99.73x
Clerkenwell London 11 8.28x
Great Yarmouth 10 13.95x
Liverpool 10 2.47x
Roxwell 10 636.94x
Seamer In Scarborough 10 555.56x
Bromley London 9 7.27x
Uppingham 9 182.56x
Bermondsey 8 4.77x
Great Waltham 8 176.60x
Hendon 8 39.51x
Kingston On Thames 8 12.14x
Poplar London 8 7.53x
Redenhall 8 238.10x
Broomfield 7 400.00x
Camberwell 7 1.95x
Falsgrave 7 85.16x
Folkestone 7 18.79x
Ipswich St Peter 7 75.84x
Kensington London 7 2.24x
Kesgrave 7 3684.21x
Maidstone 7 12.24x
Westwell 7 364.58x
Bury St Edmunds St Mary 6 46.62x
Lee 6 21.52x
Margate St John Baptist 6 17.06x
Paddington London 6 2.90x
Wood Ditton 6 201.34x
Balsham 5 256.41x
East Harling 5 243.90x
East Stonehouse 5 21.66x
Greenwich 5 5.58x
Hackney London 5 1.58x
Kirkdale 5 4.45x
Leeds 5 1.59x
Shoreditch London 5 2.05x
Wickham Bishops 5 485.44x
Brisley 4 606.06x
Coulton 4 1600.00x
Gillingham 4 10.10x
Henstridge 4 160.00x
Huddersfield 4 4.92x
Mistley 4 134.23x
Needham 4 645.16x
Newington 4 1.92x
Ousden 4 677.97x
Willesden 4 7.54x
Wimbledon 4 12.99x
Wivenhoe 4 90.70x
Woolwich 4 5.64x
Belchamp St Paul 3 220.59x
Colchester St Botolph 3 31.75x
Cringleford 3 697.67x
Great Cornard 3 193.55x
Hammersmith London 3 2.16x
Langenhoe 3 638.30x
Limehouse London 3 4.86x
Littlehampton 3 39.58x
Mile End Old Town London 3 2.50x
Mutford 3 394.74x
Newton 3 348.84x
Rougham 3 400.00x
St Marylebone London 3 1.00x
St Pancras London 3 0.66x
Streatham 3 7.18x
West Bergholt 3 144.93x
Ipswich St Margaret 2 8.60x
Pitminster 2 75.19x
Southwold 2 49.26x
Sutton 2 10.08x
Weston 2 392.16x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Candler surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 27
Mary 24
Sarah 16
Annie 9
Emma 9
Edith 8
Martha 8
Alice 7
Eliza 7
Ellen 7
Emily 7
Louisa 7
Ann 6
Charlotte 6
Hannah 6
Harriet 6
Lucy 6
Harriett 5
Ada 4
Bessie 4
Betsy 4
Julia 4
Anna 3
Caroline 3
Catherine 3
Eleanor 3
Jane 3
Maria 3
Matilda 3
Amy 2
Clara 2
Fanny 2
Florence 2
Georgina 2
Helen 2
Louise 2
Margaret 2
Maryann 2
Nellie 2
Phillis 2
Rebecca 2
Selina 2
Sophia 2
Susan 2
Bridget 1
Elizbth.S. 1
Ella 1
Elvia 1
Jadoul 1
Susannah 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Candler surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
George 27
John 26
William 21
Charles 18
Thomas 15
Arthur 12
Edward 11
Henry 11
Frederick 10
Robert 10
James 9
Walter 9
Richard 7
Christopher 6
Samuel 6
Albert 5
Benjamin 5
Harry 5
Percy 5
Alfred 4
Ernest 4
Herbert 4
Stephen 4
Edwin 3
Horace 3
Joseph 3
Wm. 3
Amos 2
Cornelius 2
Edmund 2
Francis 2
Frank 2
Jesse 2
Thos. 2
Caul 1
David 1
Edgar 1
Elizah 1
Eugene 1
Frederic 1
Fredric 1
Griffith 1
Henery 1
Kingsley 1
Lawrence 1
Louis 1
Matthew 1
Octavius 1
Peter 1
Robt.C. 1

FAQ

Candler surname: questions and answers

How common was the Candler surname in 1881?

In 1881, 576 people were recorded with the Candler surname. That placed it at #6,047 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Candler surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 591 in 2016. That gives Candler a modern rank of #8,825.

What does the Candler surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person who made or sold candles.

What does the Candler map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Candler bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.