The Welsh coal miners wifes of Great Britain made the very same thing for their husbands to take with them into the mines for their meal. They were simply called a pasty, pastie or hogan (meat pie), but were dough wrapped around ground meat (beef, pork, mutton) with onion, sometimes potato (depending on the availability), salt and lots of black pepper, and then deep fried.
I'm happy that you have a tradition to draw upon! In a small way, it's a connection that you share with those of your family that have gone before you, and that's invaluable.