A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Candida family of Italy.
Reg. 4866 · Italian, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à une sirène à deux queues de carn., cour. d'or, nageante sur une mer de sin., tenant de chaque main une de ses queues.”
NaplesNaples, c. 1775
Where the Candida Arms Were Recorded
Naples
Map of Italy showing where the Candida arms are recorded
The Candida arms were recorded in Naples, c. 1775.
Naples was the largest city in Italy and the seat of a kingdom. Its noble houses were numerous, and the kingdom kept formal lists of the families entitled to arms, which is why so many appear in the records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Italy in this period.
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
Sovereign of the period
Alvise Giovanni Mocenigo
1763–1778
Reigning in Italy when the Candida arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Italy
In the Italian states, coats of arms were often used by noble families to show their status and history. These symbols were passed down through the generations to all legitimate male descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design but sometimes added small changes to distinguish their specific line from the main branch.
Granting authority
Various local rulers and city governments controlled the use of coats of arms across the different Italian states.
How they got arms
Families often assumed their own arms or received them as official grants from local lords, popes, or city councils.
Where arms were recorded
Arms were recorded in local city archives or private family books rather than in one single national register.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Naples.
Origin & History of the Candida Family in Italy
The name Candida finds its roots in the Latin word candidus, which translates to bright, white, or pure. In the context of early Italian naming traditions, this term was often used to describe someone with a fair complexion or a person known for their sincere and honest character. By the time the family was firmly established in Naples during the year 1775, the name had evolved from a descriptive nickname into a formal surname passed down through generations. During the late eighteenth century, Naples was a vibrant center of culture and trade under the Bourbon monarchy, and families like the Candidas were often part of the growing urban middle class. These early ancestors likely lived in the dense, bustling neighborhoods of the city, participating in the local economy and contributing to the rich social fabric of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Over time, the family name became a permanent marker of their identity, linking their descendants back to the sun-drenched streets of historic Naples.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Candidus
A Latin adjective meaning shining, bright, or white.
This name
CandidaRefers to a person who is pure, innocent, or sincere in character.
also spelled
Kandida
Candydah
Candide
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
De Felice, Emidio. Dizionario dei cognomi italiani. 1978
Archivio di Stato di Napoli, Stato Civile della Restaurazione
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riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
riverThe bounds of a land, and life carried through it
