UK surname
A surname derived from the Old English word "handla", meaning a handler or steersman of a ship.
In the 1881 census there were 289 people recorded with the Handly surname, ranking it #9,968 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 6, ranked #38,110, down from #9,968 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Crossmichael and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Handly is 289 in 1881. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 97.9%.
1881 census count
289
Ranked #9,968
Modern count
6
2016, ranked #38,110
Peak year
1881
289 bearers
Map years
6
1851 to 1911
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Handly surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Handly surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 225 | #9,509 |
| 1861 | historical | 264 | #9,385 |
| 1881 | historical | 289 | #9,968 |
| 1891 | historical | 196 | #15,163 |
| 1901 | historical | 121 | #20,444 |
| 1911 | historical | 110 | #21,519 |
| 1997 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1998 | modern | 7 | #37,533 |
| 1999 | modern | 7 | #37,513 |
| 2000 | modern | 2 | #38,472 |
| 2001 | modern | 2 | #38,335 |
| 2002 | modern | 3 | #38,152 |
| 2003 | modern | 3 | #38,198 |
| 2004 | modern | 3 | #38,241 |
| 2005 | modern | 3 | #38,312 |
| 2006 | modern | 7 | #37,634 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 6 | #37,883 |
| 2009 | modern | 6 | #37,953 |
| 2010 | modern | 6 | #38,024 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 8 | #37,740 |
| 2013 | modern | 6 | #38,049 |
| 2014 | modern | 8 | #37,806 |
| 2015 | modern | 6 | #38,076 |
| 2016 | modern | 6 | #38,110 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos), Crossmichael, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Dover St James, Dover St Mary and Manchester. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ystradyfodwg (incl. Rhigos) | Glamorganshire |
| 2 | Crossmichael | Kirkcudbright |
| 3 | Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard | Nottinghamshire |
| 4 | Dover St James, Dover St Mary | Kent |
| 5 | Manchester | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Handly surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Handly, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Handly surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Handly household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Handly is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Handly is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Handly, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Handly has origins that can be traced back to the medieval era in England. It is believed to have derived from the Old English word "hondly," which referred to someone who was skilled or dexterous with their hands. This may have been used as a descriptive nickname for a craftsman or artisan, which later evolved into a surname.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Handly can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Lincolnshire in 1195, where a Robert Hondly is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in the county of Lincolnshire by the late 12th century.
The Handly surname is also linked to several places in England, such as Handly Manor in Dorset and the village of Handley in Cheshire. These place names likely originated from the Old English words "hond" (hand) and "leah" (meadow or clearing), indicating that they may have been areas where skilled craftsmen or artisans resided.
In the 14th century, the Handly surname appeared in various historical records, including the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327, where a Thomas Handly is listed. Additionally, in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in Yorkshire, a John Handly is mentioned in 1348.
One notable figure bearing the Handly surname was Sir John Handly, a successful merchant and politician who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1483 and was a member of the Worshipful Company of Grocers.
Another prominent individual was William Handly (1522-1581), an English clergyman who served as the Dean of Winchester Cathedral from 1561 until his death. He was a respected figure in the Church of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the 17th century, Thomas Handly (1618-1690) was a notable English physician and anatomist. He made significant contributions to the field of medicine and was a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians.
The Handly surname also has connections to the United States, with one of the earliest recorded instances being John Handly, who arrived in Virginia in 1635. He settled in the colony and became a prominent landowner and planter.
Throughout history, the Handly surname has been associated with various occupations, from skilled craftsmen and artisans to merchants, clergymen, physicians, and landowners. Despite its relatively uncommon nature, the name has left a lasting mark across various periods and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Handly surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Warwickshire leads with 27 Handlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.81x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Warwickshire | 27 | 3.81x |
| Lincolnshire | 26 | 5.79x |
| Nottinghamshire | 24 | 6.34x |
| Lancashire | 22 | 0.66x |
| Yorkshire | 21 | 0.75x |
| Durham | 19 | 2.27x |
| Staffordshire | 18 | 1.90x |
| Kirkcudbrightshire | 15 | 36.88x |
| Worcestershire | 15 | 4.09x |
| Essex | 13 | 2.34x |
| Derbyshire | 12 | 2.73x |
| Kent | 11 | 1.15x |
| Middlesex | 11 | 0.39x |
| Cumberland | 7 | 2.89x |
| Shropshire | 7 | 2.88x |
| Surrey | 7 | 0.51x |
| Herefordshire | 6 | 5.21x |
| Glamorgan | 5 | 1.02x |
| Gloucestershire | 5 | 0.91x |
| Northumberland | 4 | 0.96x |
| Cambridgeshire | 3 | 1.69x |
| Devon | 3 | 0.51x |
| Hampshire | 3 | 0.52x |
| Dumfriesshire | 1 | 1.61x |
| Lanarkshire | 1 | 0.11x |
| Leicestershire | 1 | 0.32x |
| Monmouthshire | 1 | 0.49x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 19 Handlys recorded in 1881 and an index of 19.40x.
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Handly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| Mary | 20 |
| Sarah | 14 |
| Elizabeth | 10 |
| Ann | 6 |
| Annie | 5 |
| Alice | 4 |
| Catherine | 4 |
| Emily | 4 |
| Hannah | 4 |
| Margaret | 4 |
| Ellen | 3 |
| Emma | 3 |
| Kate | 3 |
| Clara | 2 |
| Edith | 2 |
| Eliza | 2 |
| Fanny | 2 |
| Harriet | 2 |
| Jane | 2 |
| Julia | 2 |
| Martha | 2 |
| Maud | 2 |
| Phoebe | 2 |
| Rebecca | 2 |
| Amelia | 1 |
| Blanch | 1 |
| Caroline | 1 |
| Catherin | 1 |
| Charlott | 1 |
| Charlotte | 1 |
| Elizebth. | 1 |
| Elizth.Ann | 1 |
| Florence | 1 |
| Gertrude | 1 |
| Hanorah | 1 |
| Jessie | 1 |
| Johanna | 1 |
| Lilian | 1 |
| Louise | 1 |
| Maria | 1 |
| Marian | 1 |
| Matilda | 1 |
| Melina | 1 |
| Rachael | 1 |
| Rachel | 1 |
| Rebbca | 1 |
| Rosa | 1 |
| Rose | 1 |
| Rosena | 1 |
| Williamina | 1 |
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Handly surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
| Name | Count |
|---|---|
| William | 17 |
| John | 15 |
| Thomas | 14 |
| George | 13 |
| James | 12 |
| Joseph | 8 |
| Henry | 7 |
| Arthur | 4 |
| Patrick | 3 |
| Richard | 3 |
| Charles | 2 |
| Edward | 2 |
| Edwin | 2 |
| Francis | 2 |
| Frank | 2 |
| Michael | 2 |
| Robert | 2 |
| Wm. | 2 |
| Albert | 1 |
| Ann | 1 |
| Anthony | 1 |
| Beamont | 1 |
| Benjamin | 1 |
| Ernest | 1 |
| Frederick | 1 |
| Geo. | 1 |
| Gertrude | 1 |
| Harold | 1 |
| Herburt | 1 |
| Kenneth | 1 |
| Laurance | 1 |
| Laurence | 1 |
| Mathew | 1 |
| Matthew | 1 |
| Mickeil | 1 |
| Percy | 1 |
| Samuel | 1 |
| Taylor | 1 |
| Thomos | 1 |
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Handly households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 62 |
| Coal Miner | 5 |
| Ag Lab | 4 |
| Housekeeper | 4 |
| Lace Hand | 4 |
| Ag Labourer | 3 |
| Brick Layer | 3 |
| Bricklayer | 3 |
| General Servant | 3 |
| Invested Monies | 3 |
| Joiner | 3 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Engine Driver | 2 |
| Framework Knitter | 2 |
| Mariners Wife | 2 |
| No Occupation | 2 |
| Scholler | 2 |
| Wife | 2 |
| Baker | 1 |
| Bakers Wife | 1 |
| Blacksmith | 1 |
| Boatman | 1 |
| Boiler Maker | 1 |
| Boot Maker | 1 |
| Brass Bobbin Winder (Lace) | 1 |
| Brick Maker | 1 |
| Coal Merchant | 1 |
| Coalminer | 1 |
| Cook dom | 1 |
| Cotton Reeler | 1 |
| Cripple | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| Employed In Glass Works | 1 |
| Engine Tenter | 1 |
| Errand Boy (Ironmongers) | 1 |
| Fancy Box Maker | 1 |
| Fancy Stationer | 1 |
| Farm Serv | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| General Servt | 1 |
| Governess (Private) (T) | 1 |
| Grocers Clerk | 1 |
| House Painter | 1 |
| Hurreyer In Coal Mine | 1 |
| Iron Moulder | 1 |
| Iron Worker | 1 |
| Ironmongers Storekeeper | 1 |
| Ironworker | 1 |
| Journeyman Locksmith | 1 |
| Wollen Weaver | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 289 people were recorded with the Handly surname. That placed it at #9,968 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 6 in 2016. That gives Handly a modern rank of #38,110.
A surname derived from the Old English word "handla", meaning a handler or steersman of a ship.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Handly bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.