The Probert Encyclopaedia of Recreation

FIVES

Fives is a kind of game with a ball, originally called hand-tennis, played on a level piece of ground with a smooth wall, against which the ball is struck after its first rebound from the ground. It is so named probably from its being usually played with five on each side, although others give different explanations, as that it is so called because the ball is struck with the hand or five fingers.
Research Fives