Candy
A surname derived from the confectionery trade or a seller of candy/sweets.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 994 Americans carry the last name Candy. That puts it at #27,646 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.29 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 344,823 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Candy surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
994
1 in 344,823
Census rank
#27,646
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
870
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 870 bearers of the surname Candy in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.29 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 27646th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Candy, the largest self-reported group is White at 70.1%. The next largest groups are Black (14.9%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (5.1%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Candy
The surname Candy originated in England during the late Middle Ages. It is an occupational surname derived from the Old English word "candle", referring to a chandler or candle maker. The earliest known bearer of the name was Robert le Candeler, recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire in 1273.
The name can also be traced back to the Norman French "candeler" or "candelier", which has the same meaning. This variation emerged after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, as many French words were introduced into the English language. One of the earliest recorded instances of this spelling is found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from 1166, which mentions a Hugo Candeler.
In the 13th century, the surname appeared in various forms, such as Candeler, Candeler, and Candler, reflecting the changing spelling conventions of the time. The variant "Candy" became more prevalent in the 16th and 17th centuries, as surnames were standardized and anglicized.
Historically significant bearers of the Candy surname include Sir Edward Candy (1545-1627), a wealthy merchant and Member of Parliament for the City of London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another notable figure was John Candy (1590-1665), a prominent Puritan clergyman and writer who served as the Rector of Wilby, Norfolk.
In the 18th century, the Candy family established themselves as prominent landowners and industrialists in the West Midlands region of England. Among them was Samuel Candy (1718-1792), a successful iron manufacturer and founder of the Candy Ironworks in Dudley.
During the Victorian era, the Candy surname gained further recognition with the works of authors such as Charles Candy (1824-1887), who wrote several historical novels set in medieval England. Another notable figure was Sir Edward Traherne Candy (1825-1899), a renowned architect responsible for designing several iconic buildings in London, including the Royal Courts of Justice.
Other prominent individuals with the Candy surname include the explorer and naturalist Frank Candy (1865-1932), who conducted extensive research in the Amazon rainforest, and the World War II veteran and politician Sir Walter Candy (1899-1981), who served as a Member of Parliament for over three decades.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Candy
Among Census respondents with the surname Candy, the largest self-reported group is White at 70.1%. The next largest groups are Black (14.9%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (5.1%).
The bar chart below shows how Candy bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Candy surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White70.1%
- Black or African American14.9%
- American Indian and Alaska Native5.1%
- Asian and Pacific Islander4.5%
- Hispanic or Latino3.6%
- Two or more races1.8%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Candy surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #27,646 | #27,646 | 0.0% |
| Count | 870 | 870 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.29 | 0.29 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Candy bearers went from 870 to 870 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #27,646 to #27,646.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Candy
FAQ
Candy surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Candy?
The surname Candy holds position #27,646 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 994 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.29 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Candy surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Candy, the largest self-reported group is White at 70.1%. The next largest groups are Black (14.9%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (5.1%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.