Map of England showing where the Hands arms are recorded
The Hands arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Hands arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Hands Family in England
The surname Hands is primarily classified as a patronymic or occupational name that emerged in England during the Middle Ages. It likely originated as a nickname for someone with a notable physical trait, such as a person with large or skillful hands, or it may have been a shortened version of a longer Germanic name like Handolf. By the early 17th century, the family had established a clear presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Hands family were living and working within this northern hub, which was a significant center for trade and religious life at the time. As these individuals navigated the social landscape of York, they contributed to the local community as craftsmen, merchants, or laborers. The name persisted through generations, reflecting the steady migration and settlement patterns of families who built their lives in the shadow of the York Minster.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hand
Old English word for the physical hand or a manual worker.
This name
HandsA patronymic surname derived from a medieval nickname for someone with a distinctive hand or a skilled laborer.
also spelled
Handyshe
Handysh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames. 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, University of York. York Diocesan Probate Records
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
armA person of action, industrious and laborious
