Hand, Handy

Padraig Mac Giolla-Domhnaigh
1923

Hand, Handy—This name is the anglicised form of three Irish sept names. In the districts of Clones, Co. Monaghan, and in that of Tullamore, King's County, the names M'Lave and M'Clave (Mac Láimh) has been anglicised Hand, from lámh, hand. Also to Handy and Maglave, the latter in Gaelic Mag Láimh.

In North Connacht the name Lavin (O'Láimhin) is changed to Hand, and the sept name O'Hand (O' h-Aodh-áin) or as some have anglicised it as Owens, have assumed the name of Hands. The latter sept was located in Co. Meath.

Alphabetical Index of Anglicised Surnames in Ireland

See also Woulfe’s Irish Names and Surnames
and O'Hart's Irish Pedigrees