Sorting out medieval names based on ethnicity without any label or self-identity is a hazardous affair. Some names are easy to distinguish, such as Murewoth McBren [Murchadh Mac Briain] while others require exhaustive inquiry. I previously analysed the records of the English royal courts in Ireland in the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries with a focus on the status of minorities in those courts. The numerically largest group was the Gaels of Ireland who were minoritised by the English colonists in Ireland, but there were also the Ostpeople (Ostmen and Ostwomen), Cymry (Welsh), Scots, and a few others. The English clerks had a great difficulty with Gaelic names and uncovering some Gaels ‘hidden’ in the English records took a lot of work. Candelan and its variants is one of these names, and I’ve outlined some of the relevant cases below.
Candelan – ish
The Candelan families may have originally come from the Uí Caíndelbháin whose 'main line' were the rígh and tigernada of Laegaire in Mide.
The rígh of Laegaire/Laoghaire in Mide/Meath held lands granted from Hugh de Lacy until the seventeenth century and they were usually called ‘O Kindelan’. Many Gaels dropped the Ó/Ua prefix from their patronymic surnames after the advent of the English in Ireland. There was also a rare name in Co. Cumberland, England, Kandelan/Candelayne/Candlin. The name Candelan appears in Meath and this is good evidence to indicate that they were from the Uí Caíndelbháin. The name, however, also appears in Tipperary, Limerick, Cork, and Waterford which may indicate the Uí Caíndelbháin who were not from the main line moved and multiplied or that some were English colonists from the Kandelans of Cumberland. The Irish surname works suggest that the modern Connellan families in Munster and Leinster were Uí Caíndelbháin (also spelled as Uí Chaoindealbháin, etc.), although some suggest that Quinlan and Quinlivan were variations of Ó Caoinleáin. Ó Corráin and Maguire stated that Caoinleán was the modern version of Caíndelbán. This does not mean that every Ó Caoinleáin was descended from the rígh of Laegaire. They could have had a different ancestor named Caíndelbán. There does not appear to have been an Ó Caíndelbháin or Ó Caoinleáin rígrad in early medieval Muman (Munster). Candelan was also used as a first name on some occasions, which may support the idea that it was an anglicisation of Caíndelbán.
Court Cases:
From Meath: Thomas Sketh claims against Thomas Candelan and Petronil, his wife, 3 houses (messuages), 31 acres of arable, 5 acres of meadow, and 24 acres of pasture in le Neweton that Sketh claims is his right (jus) and inheritance of which Petronil disseised (removed from legal possession) Johan, Thomas Sketh’s father, whose heir he is.
The viscount was ordered to have made a viewing for Thomas Candelan and Petronil, his wife, of 3 houses, 31 acres of arable, 5 acres of meadow, and 24 acres of pasture in le Nelketon that Thomas Sketh in this court claimed is his right and inheritance.
Thomas Skyeth claims against Thomas Candelan and Petronilla, just as above. A settlement is made: Thomas Skeyth remits (gives) to Thomas and Petronilla all right and claim that he had in the tenement.
From Tipperary: Gerald fitz William de la Roche claims against David Mac Murchadha 1 house , 40 acres of arable, and 20 acres of wood in Leymynyryn, against Walter Candelan 1 house, 30 acres of arable, and 3 acres of wood in the same place, of which William Fraunceys, grandfather of Gerald, whose heir he is was seised (in legal possession) in demesne (personal landholding) as of fee on the day that William died. David and Walter previously came and called Johan de St Albino to warranty who warrants them, and Johan calls Adam de St Albino to warranty them, who warrants them and calls Robert fitz David de Burnham to further warranty.
Walter Candelan against Johan fitz Johan de St Albino that Johan warrant Walter 50 acres of arable and 3 acres of wood in Leymynyrun that Gerald fitz William de la Roche claimed from Walter.
Jurors of the cantred of Iffowyn (Uíbh Eóghain Fhinn: southeast Tipperary): Walter Candelan, juror of the cantred. Jurors of the cantred of Ermon (Urmuman: northwest Tipperary): Philip fitz David Candelan, juror of the cantred.
David Burdun and Candelan, a clerk, received (harboured) some felons after committing a felony, knowing them to be felons and malefactors, namely, David de Burgh and Synyn O Dunnegan [Senán Ó Donnagáin], David de Cogan, Johan fitz Eustace de Cogan, Ynyn O Hyngyrdill [Inghean(?) or Émhín Ó hIongardail]. David Burdun and Candelan now do not come and are suspected; outlawed (chattels none).
From Limerick: Walter Candelan holds 1 house, 120 acres acres of arable, 3 acres of meadow, and 3 acres of bog in Slefdyle is to be summoned by the viscount of Limerick to be before the court seven days after Purification of Mary to hear the tenor of the fine made between Johan le Poer and Susanna wife of William fitz Milo regarding errors in the exchange between Johan and Susanna and William.
From Waterford: Cristiana who was the wife of Patrick Candelan claims against Maurice Russel a third of 1 house, 1.5 carucates of arable, 60 acres of wood, and 1 weir/fish trap in Carrigmoysketh, and a third of 1 house and 1 carucate of arable in Gortmockor, against Johan fitz Milo de Roche a third of 1 house and half a carucate in Polstrinan, and against Johan fitz Geoffrey de Linite a third of 40 acres of marsh in Carrigmoykeyth.
Cristiana who was the wife of Patrick Candelan against Johan fitz Geoffrey de Lunte that he return to her her dower of 30 acres of marsh in Carrigmoyskeyth and against Adam Cod and Ismana, his wife, that they return half a carucate in the same place.
From Cork: Patrick Candelan claims against Eneas fitz Odon Tyntagel 1 carucate and 40 acres in Balydonegyn Glennan, and against Tancard fitz Hugh half a carucate in Balydonegyn of which Gilbert Candelan, grandfather of Patrick, whose heir he is, was seised in demesne as of fee on the day he died.
Patrick Candelan against Cathfothath Omolfadyr that they return to him 30 acres in Balydonegan. Judgment that Patrick recover seisin.
Thomas O Mythan [Ó Maothagáin/Ó Mathghamhana] accused of robbing Robert fitz Philip Hodynet of 1 mantle and being in the company of a felon and going in the company of the felon to take part in the death of Robert fitz Philip Hodynet, comes and says that he is not guilty and puts himself to a jury. Maurice Scorlag, Robert fitz Johan, David Ketyng, Johan Candelan, Philip Pembrok, Robert fitz David, Maurice Franceys, Johan Obyn, William de Ferrers, Johan Broun, William Costyn, and Richard Joce, jurors, say that Thomas O Mythan is not guilty of said charges nor suspected of other misdeeds.
Many thanks to Dr Catherine Bromhead for her comments on Caíndelbháin.
I also analyse Myagh and Fagan (and variants). Click the names to see those blog posts.