Surname Ingle - Meaning and Origin

Discovering Ancient Norse Roots of the Surname Ingle Through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Taking a deep-dive into my family history with iGENEA’s DNA analysis was an enlightening experience that brought me closer to my roots. Tracing the origins of my surname Ingle back to ancient Norse mythology, discovering ancestral migration routes and expanding my family tree was an invaluable dive into my family's past.

J. Ingle

Ingle: What does the surname Ingle mean?

The surname Ingle has multiple possible origins. Primarily, it is of English origin and derived from the Old English word "ingle," which means "fire" or "fireplace". It was often used as a nickname to describe a person who lived near a large fire or worked with fire such as a blacksmith.

The name Ingle could also be of Scottish origin, referring to residents of an area named Ingle in the old Barony of Inglewood in Fife. In this case, the name means "hill" or "slope".

Lastly, it could be of Norwegian origin, coming from the Old Norse name Engel, which means "angel". The surname Ingle could have been a short form of given names starting with the element Engel-, such as Engelbrekt. Like many surnames, the meaning of Ingle could vary depending upon geographical locations and occupation of the initial bearers.

Ingle: Where does the name Ingle come from?

The surname Ingle is believed to have English and Scottish origins. It is said to derive from the Old English word "Ingel," which is thought to have been a pet form of various personal names beginning with the element "Ing," the name of a Germanic fertility god. Some sources suggest that it could also come from the Middle English word "ingle," meaning "fire," and be an occupational name for a keeper of the hearths.

In Scotland, the name Ingle is associated with the region of Angus and areas in the eastern part of the country.

Today, the surname is prevalent across the English-speaking world including United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the states of California, Texas, and North Carolina. Despite its English and Scottish roots, the surname has spread and diversified over centuries due to migration, resulting in a global presence.

Variations of the surname Ingle

The surname Ingle is of Anglo-Saxon origin, mainly found in northern England and derived from the Old English word 'Ingel,' which means 'angle' or 'hook,' often used as a geographical marker. Variations and spellings of Ingle include Ingel, Inglee, Ingley, Yngle, Engle, and Engles. The name Engle is more common in German-speaking regions.

It's also speculated that Ingle can also refer to 'ing,' a Norse or Viking word meaning 'son of'. In such cases, possible variants could include Ingleson, Ingelson or Inglethorp.

The surname Ingle could potentially be a diminutive or affectionate form of longer English surnames like Ingalls, Ingles, or Ingleton. However, these derivations are less common and predominantly region-specific.

The surname Ingle is also prevalent in India, particularly in the Maharashtra region. In the Marathi language, Ingle is a common surname among the Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmin (DRB) caste. However, it's important to note that the Indian surname Ingle is of a different lineage and etymology to the English surname. Hence it doesn't share the same origin or variants.

Famous people with the name Ingle

• Arley Ingle: American professional race car driver
• Celeste Barber: Australian comedienne and actress
• John Ingle: American actor
• Della Reese: American singer and actress
• Justine Ingle: New Zealand opera singer and contralto
• Jason Ingle: American journalist and podcaster
• Doreen Ingle: American landscape painting and portrait artist
• Michael Ingle: British ophthalmologist and clinical academic
• Jonathan Ingle: Australian rules footballer
• Bruce Ingle: American National Football League player for the Miami Dolphins

Other surnames

InglesInglis