Summary

The surname Handy is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word 'handig' which means skillful or clever. It was likely originally used as a nickname for someone who was known for being handy or skillful with their hands. Over time, the surname has spread to various English-speaking countries and is now found around the world.
There are
14537
Handys in the USA
Handy is the
2482nd
most common last name in the USA

Historical figures and celebrities called Handy

GeorgeW.

George W. Handy was an American jazz pianist and composer known for his contributions to the bebop style of jazz.

EddieHandy

Eddie Handy was an American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens.

WilliamChristopher

William Christopher Handy, also known as W.C. Handy, was an American composer and musician often referred to as the 'Father of the Blues.'

ElizabethC.

Elizabeth C. Handy was a judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, becoming the first African American woman to be appointed as a federal judge.

JohnA.

John A. Handy was an American leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) and served as a bishop in the denomination.

MildredE.

Mildred E. Handy was an American educator and an advocate for the rights of African American teachers and students in the segregated South.

GeraldHandy

Gerald Handy is a former American football player who played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

SonyaC.

Sonya C. Handy is a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, becoming the first African American woman to serve as a federal judge in Maryland.

JessieHandy

Jessie Handy was a Canadian artist known for her landscape paintings and her involvement in the art community in Vancouver, British Columbia.

RobertW.

Robert W. Handy was an American historian and author who specialized in the religious and intellectual history of early America.

Handy Genealogy

OriginsThe surname 'Handy' is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word 'handig,' which means skillful or clever. It was likely originally used as a nickname for someone who was adept or resourceful.
Geographic DistributionThe surname 'Handy' is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in states such as Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. It can also be found in smaller numbers in other English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada.
VariationsVariations of the surname 'Handy' include 'Handie' and 'Handey.'
Migration and ImmigrationThe name 'Handy' may have been brought to the United States by English immigrants during the colonial period. It has also been adopted by individuals of African descent, likely as a result of forced migration during the transatlantic slave trade.