Show ContentsHanfelt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hanfelt family

The surname Hanfelt was first found in Kent where "in the parish of Waltham is the hamlet and green of Hanville, so called after the family of Handville or Handfield, whose habitation was close to it. Several of them lie buried in this church; they afterwards removed to Ullcombe, Ashford, and Canterbury; at the former place, a descendant of them still remains" (in 1800). 1

"Samson de Andeville was sent by Duke William to defend Jersey (De Gerville). William de Andeville (12th cent.) witnessed a charter of Ranulph Meschin in Cheshire (Mon. i. 592). In 1165 Thomas de Andeville held six fees of the barony of Eudo Dapifer 2.

Jordan de Andeville was of Essex, 1203; Richard de Andeville (13th cent.) had estates in seven counties (Testa de Neville). Alexander de Andeville had a writ of military summons 1263. The family of Andeville or Handville was seated in Kent 17th cent." 3

Early History of the Hanfelt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hanfelt research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1106, 1432, 1455, 1487, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Hanfelt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hanfelt Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Hanfelt include Handville, Hanville, Anville, Andville, Anvil, Anvill, Handvile, Handfill and many more.

Early Notables of the Hanfelt family

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

Migration of the Hanfelt family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Hanfelt were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 1 of 3
  2. Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)
  3. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)


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