Handfithey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Handfithey is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the township of Handforth, in the parish of Cheadle in the county of Cheshire.

Early Origins of the Handfithey family

The surname Handfithey was first found in Cheshire at Handforth. "The manor, as early as the reign of Henry III., was in the family of Handford, from whom, with the manor of Bosden, it passed to the Breretons, and subsequently to the Booths." 1

Handford, or Hanford is a parish in the union of Stone, in the hundred of Pirehill in Staffordshire. 1

Of the two, we know that Handforth, Cheshire dates back to the 12th century when it was first known as Haneford and it literally meant "ford frequented by cocks (wild birds)" or "ford at the stones (used as markers)" from the Old English words "hanna" + "ford." 2

As far as early records of the family, we found John de Honford (Handforth) was first listed in Earwaker's History East Cheshire in 1370. The same sources notes Thomas de Honford was listed there in 1398. 3

Handforth Hall is a former manor house in Handforth, Cheshire dating back to 1562 having been built for Sir Urian Brereton.

Early History of the Handfithey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Handfithey research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1230, 1325, 1565, 1598, 1635, 1638 and 1784 are included under the topic Early Handfithey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Handfithey Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Handfithey has been spelled many different ways, including Handford, Hanford, Handforth and others.

Early Notables of the Handfithey family

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

Migration of the Handfithey family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Handfitheys to arrive in North America: Thomas Handford settled in Scituate in Massachusetts in 1645; and became a Freeman of that colony; Jane, Martha and Richard Handford settled in New England in 1754..

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)