Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a fool, a simpleton.

1593		Nashe Four Letters Confuted in Works II (1883–4) 251: Whether is the Astrologicall Discourse a better booke than Pierce Pennilesse? Gabriel hangtelow saies it is.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Hanktelo, a silly Fellow, a meer Cods-head.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
c.1750–1882		B.M. Carew Life and Adventures.
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue n.p.: Hanktelo, a silly fellow.
c.1850		Duncombe New and Improved Flash Dict.