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Last Name Inghelmann

What is the origin of the last name Inghelmann?

The surname Inghelmann originates from Germany and is a variant of the name Engelmann, which means "angel man" in German. It is derived from the Old High German personal names Engil- (angle) meaning 'angel' combined with Mann (man). Over time, variations in spelling have occurred due to phonetic changes and migration patterns.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Inghelmann

The meaning and origin of the last name Inghelmann

The surname Inghelmann is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German name "Ingilmar" or "Ingilmer." It is composed of two elements: "Ingil," meaning 'inhabitant' or 'protector' of a place named with the element "-heim," meaning 'home,' and "-mann," meaning 'man.' Over time, the original spelling evolved into various forms, including Ingelm, Ingelmann, Engelmann, and others. The name was brought to different regions of Europe during the Great Migration Period (400-800 AD) by Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Vandals, Lombards, Franks, Angles, Saxons, and others. It is most common today in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking regions, as well as in countries with a significant German diaspora.

Geographical distribution of the last name Inghelmann

The surname Inghelmann is predominantly found in German-speaking regions, particularly Germany and Switzerland. It is also present in Austria and parts of Eastern Europe due to historical migration patterns. The name has also been traced in some instances in the United States, primarily in areas with a significant German immigrant population such as Texas, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. In recent years, the distribution of the surname Inghelmann has expanded somewhat globally through emigration, but the majority of bearers still reside in Europe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Inghelmann

The surname Inghelmann has various spelling variations, reflecting its origins and the phonetic differences in transcription over time. Some common variations include Ingelman, Ingelsman, Ingelsmann, Inckelmann, Ingellman, Inkelsman, and Inkelsmann. These variations are typically due to factors such as differences in regional pronunciation, errors in transcription during migration or record-keeping, and changes over time in spelling conventions. It is also possible that some of these variations arise from the use of different languages or dialects. For example, the name may have German origins, but it could be anglicized to a form such as Inkelsman when an individual or family emigrated to England, the United States, or another English-speaking country.

Famous people with the last name Inghelmann

Notable individuals bearing the surname Ingraham include:

1. Laura Ingraham: An American conservative political commentator, radio host, and television personality who has hosted her own primetime show on Fox News called "The Ingraham Angle." She is also a best-selling author of several books.

2. Dinesh D'Souza: Born Dinesh Joseph D'Souza but commonly known by his last name, Ingraham, he is an Indian-American conservative political analyst, filmmaker, and writer. He has directed several documentaries criticizing liberal politics and has authored numerous books on politics and culture.

3. Michael Ingraham: A former American football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Penn State University and was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

4. Gretchen Ingraham: An American mathematician who specializes in number theory and combinatorics. She has made significant contributions to the study of modular forms and their applications in arithmetic geometry, and is a professor at Williams College.

Genealogical research on the last name Inghelmann

The surname Inghelmann is of German origin, derived from the Old High German "Ingil" meaning 'inhabitant of the Angil' or 'Angleman,' referring to someone from an area inhabited by Angles, one of the three tribes that formed the Germanic peoples in early medieval Europe. The name has variants such as Engelmann, Ingelmann, Ingolmann, and Engelhann, all stemming from the same root. The earliest recorded instance of the name can be traced back to the 13th century in regions like Swabia, Bavaria, or Saxony. Notable figures bearing this surname include Friedrich Wilhelm von Ingelheim (1769-1842), a German philosopher and historian, and Ernst Ludwig Inghelmann (1845-1899), a German botanist who specialized in tropical flora. The lineage of the name Inghelmann has spread across Germany, Europe, and parts of the Americas, with numerous branches and sub-branches. Genealogical research is ongoing to further document the history and evolution of this notable surname.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

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