Hand History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Hand

What does the name Hand mean?

The Anglo-Saxon name Hand comes from the baptismal name for the son of John. The given name John was originally derived from the Dutch Hans or Han. 1

Alternatively, the name coule be "a nickname or sign-name [Old English hand, a hand]." 2

And another source notes it is an "ancient personal name. Hand and Hande are, however, surnames without prefix in Hundredorum Rolls. Mr. Ferguson says: "Walking through Handsworth in Staffordshire, and seeing the name of Hand upon the shops, I said to myself, ' Handsworth is the north or estate of a man called Hand, and these may be descendants of that man.'" 3

Early Origins of the Hand family

The surname Hand was first found in Cheshire where the name first appeared as a forename in the Assize Rolls of 1288, Honde Cottrell. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 included Richard Hand in Bedfordshire and later Robert Hind was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296. Walter Handes was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Warwickshire in 1332. 4

In Yorkshire, The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls had a wide variety of entries: Hanse et uxor ejus; Matilda Han-wyfe; Thomas Hand; and Laurence Hande. 1

Early History of the Hand family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hand research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1521, 1588, 1594 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Hand History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hand Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Hand has appeared include Hand, Hands and others.

Early Notables of the Hand family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

John Hand of Cheshire

Hand Ranking

In the United States, the name Hand is the 1,463^rd most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Hand family to Ireland

Some of the Hand family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hand migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Hand arrived in North America very early:

Hand Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Hand, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 6
Tho Hand, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1635 6
Robert Hand who settled in Virginia in 1635
John Hand, who settled in Lynn Massachusetts in 1635, one of the 8 men to buy Montauk Point Long Island and established the town of Easthampton
John Hand, who arrived in Lynn, tvlass in 1636 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hand Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Margaret Hand, who arrived in Virginia in 1706 6
Rudolph Hand, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1744 6
Hans Georg Hand, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1752 6
George Hand, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1765 6
Nicholas Hand, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1773 6

Hand Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Martin William Hand, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1811 6
Christopher Hand, who arrived in New York in 1835 6
Catherine Hand, aged 19, who landed in New York, NY in 1850 6
Ann Hand, aged 30, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 6
Hugh Hand, aged 18, who arrived in New York, NY in 1850 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hand Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Mr. Charles Hand, (b. 1887), aged 16, Cornish mason travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 28th November 1903 en route to Newquehoning, Pennsylvania, USA 7
Miss Elizabeth Hand, (b. 1867), aged 36, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 28th November 1903 en route to Newquehoning, Pennsylvania, USA 7
Mr. Timothy Hand, (b. 1881), aged 23, Cornish miner travelling aboard the ship "Philadelphia" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 11th June 1904 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 7

Hand migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hand Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Peter Hand, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
John Hand, who landed in New Brunswick in 1783
Mr. Aaron Hand U.E. born in New Jersey, USA who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 8
Mrs. Hester Hand U.E. born in New Jersey, USA who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 wife of John Hand 8
Mr. John Hand U.E. born in New Jersey, USA who settled in Belle Vue, Beaver Harbour, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 passenger aboard the Union Transport 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hand Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Margaret Hand, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Leslie Gault" in 1833
Elizabeth Hand, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Leslie Gault" in 1833
Mary Hand, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Leslie Gault" in 1833
James Hand, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the schooner "Jane" from Galway, Ireland

Hand migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hand Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Bridget Hand, (b. 1794), aged 19, Irish convict who was convicted in Armagh, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr.Peter Hand, (b. 1774), aged 45, Irish servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bencoolen" on 24th April 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia before being transferred to Tasmania via the "Admiral Cockburn" 10
Mr. Edward Hand, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Competitor"18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 11
Mr. Patrick Hand, (b. 1800), aged 27, Irish farmer's man who was convicted in County Down, Ireland for 7 years for pick pocketing, transported aboard the â€œCountess of Harcourtâ€œ on 14th February 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Patrick Hand, (b. 1800), aged 27, Irish farmers man who was convicted in County Down, Ireland for 7 years for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 28th June 1827, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hand migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Hand Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Julia Hand, aged 23, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Jessie Readman" in 1872 14
Miss Julia Hand, (b. 1849), aged 23, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Jessie Readman" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th December 1872 14
John Hand, aged 21, a bricklayers labourer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rooparell" in 1874

Hand migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 15

Hand Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Winifred Hand, aged 20, who arrived in Barbados in 1635 aboard the ship "Falcon" 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Hand (post 1700) +

Joseph Hand Sr. (1936-2024), American businessman and media executive from Philadelphia, Chairman of Joe Hand Promotions, Inc., a promoter of Pay-Per-View and Closed Circuit broadcasts of sporting events
James "Slim" Hand (1952-2020), American country music singer and songwriter
Billings Learned Hand (1872-1961), United States judge and judicial philosopher
Larry Thomas Hand (b. 1940), former American NFL Football defensive tackle who played for the Detroit Lions (1965-1977)
Elizabeth Hand (b. 1957), American writer
Jon Hand (b. 1986), American NFL football player
David Dodd Hand (1900-1986), American animator and animation director, best known for his work with Disney, eventually become supervising director on "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Bambi"
Augustus Noble Hand (1869-1954), American judge who served on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Billings Learned Hand (1872-1961), American politician, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York, 1909-24; Judge of U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, 1924-51 16
Beulah Hand, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Oregon, 1956 16
... (Another 42 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hand family +

Halifax Explosion

Ms. Oyrandy Hand, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17

SS Caribou

Mr. E. Hand, Newfoundland passenger who was Royal Army 1st Lieutenant from Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he died in the sinking

USS Arizona

Mr. Vernon Hand, American Seaman First Class working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 18

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bencoolen
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 19th April 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html