Cornu is the Latin for "a horn," whence the name Cornelius = powerful or kingly, the horn being the symbol of kingship. (Girls' Christian Names, Swan, 1905)

    CORNELIUS.  The Latin name.  Some translate it "horn."  Littleton says, "à belli cornu."  The name in Greek is Κορνήλιος (Kornelios), which some translate "horn of the sun."  If so, it must come from χερας horn, and ηλιος.  Viscount Gort (N. Q. 4th S. x. 300) says the name Connor has been transformed into the classical name Cornelius. (Prænomina, Charnock, 1882)

One of the centurions of a Roman regiment called the Italian band, once stationed at Caesarea.  A devout and generous man, his prayers and alms were accepted by God, one of whose angels directed him to send to Joppa for Peter, who would indicate to him the path of duty.  He did so, and Peter was prepared for the coming of Cornelius's messengers by the vision of the sheet let down from heaven with the animals clean and unclean, the latter as well as the former to be slaughtered if he liked it for food.  Peter responded to the invitation, went with some Christian friends from Joppa to Caesarea, preached the gospel to Cornelius, and was the means of converting him and his household, Divine confirmation of what had been done being at once given by the descent upon them of the Holy Ghost, with the impartation of the gift of tongues.  The event was one of prime importance in the early Church, commencing as it did the long-promised calling of the Gentiles (Acts x. 1-48) (The Sunday School Teacher's Bible Manual, Hunter, 1894)