Surname Ingram - Meaning and Origin

A Deep Dive Into My Genetic Tapestry: Unraveling the Origins and Migrations of the Ingram Surname Through iGENEA DNA Test Results

The iGENEA DNA test provided an enlightening journey into my ancestral roots, particularly relating to my surname, Ingram. It traced my primary roots to England, with significant traces denoting Celtic ties stretching from Ireland and Scotland to the East, intriguing Scandinavian presences, and a minor hint of Jewish ancestry. These findings speak volumes about historical migrations and cultural intersections that influenced my genetic lineage.

X. Ingram

Ingram: What does the surname Ingram mean?

The surname Ingram is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has a couple of different interpretations. The most common understanding is that it derives from the Old Norse name "Ingvar" or the Old Swedish name "Ingvarr", which are composed of two elements: "Ing", referring to a Norse god of fertility and "varr" meaning warrior. Thus, the holistic meaning of Ingram could be interpreted as "Ing's warrior".

However, another interpretation suggests that it might come from the geographical term 'inga' referring to people who lived near a meadow or wetland, and 'ham' meaning homestead or village. Thus, under this interpretation, Ingram would mean 'homestead (or village) near a meadow'. The surname is prevalent in the British Isles, particularly England and Scotland, and migrated to other parts of the world through British colonial expanses in the 18th and 19th centuries. Instances of the name can be found as early as the 12th century in official records.

Ingram: Where does the name Ingram come from?

The surname Ingram is of Anglo-Saxon origin, first appearing during the era of the Anglo-Saxon tribes in ancient Britain. It is a patronymic surname that originally came from the personal name Engelram, an ancient Germanic name. This personal name is composed of the elements "engel," which means angel, and "hraben," which means raven. It was later Anglicized as Ingram.

After the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the use of the Latin script and Norman customs led to standardization of names, and Engelram transformed into Ingram. The name became popular due to an early saint named St. Engelram, the abbot of Lesterps, who was venerated during the Middle Ages.

Today, the surname Ingram has spread across English-speaking countries, and is most common in the United States. It is also quite prevalent in England and Australia. Historically, it has been associated with Scotland as well, particularly in areas near Aberdeenshire and Midlothian.

Variations of the surname Ingram

The surname Ingram is an Anglicised form of a Norse personal name Ingvarr, composed of two parts - 'Ing', the name of a Norse god, and 'varr', which means warrior. Ingram has a few variations and spellings based on different cultures and regions. Some common variations and derivatives of the name include Ingrams, Engeram, Ingam, Ingeram, Ingarm, Inghram, and Yngrame. These differ mostly due to regional accents, recorded transcription, or personal preference of spelling.

The surname Ingram can also be found in forms that reflect its Scottish and English origins such as Ingerham, Ingraham, and Ingelram. The prefixes "Mac" and "Mc" are common in Scottish and Irish surnames, often suggesting "son of", but these are not typically associated with Ingram.

In some cases, it may appear as a double-barrelled or hyphenated name, such as Ingram-Smith or Ingram-Jones, usually to carry forward both maternal and paternal family names. Also, clerical errors throughout history have led to variations of its spelling in different records. It's also common to find changes to the spelling of this surname by descendants who immigrated, in an attempt to "fit" into the new society.

Famous people with the name Ingram

• Nipsey Hussle (Ermias Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle), American rapper, songwriter, activist, and entrepreneur.
• James Ingram, American singer-songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist
• Billy Ingram, American entrepreneur, who, along with his brother founded the White Castle hamburger chain
• Rex Ingram, American film director, producer, writer, and actor
• Robert Ingram, American business executive, investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist
• Nathan Ingram, American actor, best known for his recurring roles in the television series Scrubs and Reign
• LeRoy Ingram, American football player and coach 8.Robert E. Ingram, American farmer, musician, politician, and soldier
• Ken Ingram, American radio and television broadcaster 10. Miles Joseph Ingram, American ornithologist, musician, and composer.

Other surnames

Ingraham