Handlay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Handlay is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Handlay family lived in Handley, Hampshire. The name was local in nature, and was originally derived from the Old English words heah, which meant high, and leah, which meant wood. 1

Another source indicates that the name is a corruption of the Norman place-name Andeli which was brought over after the Conquest in 1066. 2 And yet another source claims the name was derived from Hanley, parishes in Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Lincolnshire. 3

Early Origins of the Handlay family

The surname Handlay was first found in the Pipe Rolls for Worcestershire where Gilbert de Hanlega was recorded in 1185. Later the Assize Rolls of Yorkshire listed Laurence de Hanlaye in 1219 and in Gloucestershire, Robert de Handlegh was listed there in 1314. Early Nottinghamshire records show John Hanley in 1426. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the name in various counties and shires: Tristram de Hanle in Suffolk; William de Hanleye Salop (Shropshire); and Warin de Hannclaye in Lincolnshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Robertus de Hannclay; Peter de Hanlay; and Willelmus de Hanlay. 3

Early History of the Handlay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Handlay research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1605, 1611, 1619, 1752, 1784, 1788, 1789, 1793, 1832, 1835 and 1858 are included under the topic Early Handlay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Handlay Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Handlay include Handley, Hanley, Handeley, Hanly, Handlin and many more.

Early Notables of the Handlay family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Handlay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Handlay family to Ireland

Some of the Handlay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Handlay family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Handlays to arrive on North American shores: Robert Handley, who settled in Virginia in 1635; William Handley, who settled in Virginia in 1648; and Jane Handley, who settled in Maryland in 1775.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)