Show ContentsHendely History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Hendely family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They 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 Hendely family

The surname Hendely 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 Hendely family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hendely 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 Hendely History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hendely Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hendely were recorded, including Handley, Hanley, Handeley, Hanly, Handlin and many more.

Early Notables of the Hendely family

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

Ireland Migration of the Hendely family to Ireland

Some of the Hendely 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 Hendely family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Hendely arrived in North America very early: 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.



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


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