Show ContentsHancy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Hancy was spawned by the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture that ruled a majority of Britain. It comes from Haneca, an Old English personal name. Patronymic surnames arose out of the vernacular and religious given name traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Vernacular names that were derived from ancient Germanic personal names have cognates in most European languages. For example, the court of Charlemagne (742-814) was Christian and Latin-speaking, but the Frankish dialect of Old German was commonly used for personal names. Vernacular names were widespread throughout Normandy. Accordingly, many typical English and French names are in fact, originally of Germanic origin and often have cognates in other European countries.

Alternatively, the name could have been "a modification of Hankin, the nickname or diminutive of Randolph, prevalent in some of the oldest families of Cheshire. The existing families of this surname derive from that county, and the name was borne there in the rank of gentry in the XV. century." [1] Another source agrees: "variant of Hankin. All the same a spot must be looked for in Cheshire, styled Hankey, which may have given birth to a local surname." [2]

Early Origins of the Hancy family

The surname Hancy was first found in Cheshire in the village of Churton where it was found "in the beginning of the 16th century." [3] "The Hankeys were seated here for many generations." [4]

Early records in Cheshire revealed: Jonn Hanky, of Churton in 1533, according to Earwaker's East Cheshire; and the Wills of Chester listed Hugh Hankey, of Churton in 1562 and Robert Hankey, of Darnell in 1610. [2]

Early History of the Hancy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hancy research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1761 and 1770 are included under the topic Early Hancy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hancy Spelling Variations

Hancy has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Hancy have been found, including Hankey, Hankie, Hanky and others.

Early Notables of the Hancy family

More information is included under the topic Early Hancy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Hancy migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Hancys to arrive on North American shores:

Hancy Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. E. J. Hancy, aged 52, who landed in America, in 1906
  • Bridgit Hancy, aged 36, who immigrated to the United States, in 1907
  • Eliza J. Hancy, aged 55, who landed in America, in 1907
  • Francis Hancy, aged 7, who immigrated to America, in 1907
  • Jennie Hancy, who landed in America, in 1909
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Hancy (post 1700) +

  • Charlotte Hancy, English singer/songwriter


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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