When the ancestors of the Hendlay family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. 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. Another derivation indicates that the name is a corruption of the Norman place-name Andeli which was brought over after the Conquest in 1066. [1] And yet another source claims the name was derived from Hanley, parishes in Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and Lincolnshire. [2]
The surname Hendlay was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 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. [2]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hendlay research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1605, 1611 and 1619 are included under the topic Early Hendlay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Hendlay has been recorded under many different variations, including Handley, Hanley, Handeley, Hanly and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Hendlay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Hendlay 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.
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Hendlays were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: 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.