Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Ingold

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Ingold?

The surname Ingold is of Germanic origin, derived from the Old High German words "ing" meaning 'people' and "galt" meaning 'stranger'. This name was originally given to someone who was a stranger among one's own people. Over time, it became a hereditary surname in Germany and other regions influenced by the Germanic languages. In modern times, it is found among Germans, as well as among families of German descent in other countries such as the United States.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Ingold

The meaning and origin of the last name Ingold

The surname Ingold is of Old English or Anglo-Saxon origin. It derives from the terms 'ing' meaning 'people' or 'tribe', and 'gold' which means 'bright' or 'yellow'. Thus, the name can be translated as "the bright or yellow one among the people". The name has been recorded in various spellings over the centuries, including Ingalde, Ingoldus, and Ingegold. It was brought to England by the Anglo-Saxon settlers who invaded Britain from Denmark and other parts of northern Europe starting in the 5th century AD. Throughout history, the name has been borne by notable individuals such as Ingold I, King of East Anglia in the 7th century, and Ingold Stoneshare, a landowner in Yorkshire during the Middle Ages.

Geographical distribution of the last name Ingold

The surname Ingold is predominantly found in Northern and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. It is also present in smaller numbers in countries like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States, primarily among German, Dutch, or Scandinavian immigrants. The name is of Old Norse origin, derived from the elements 'Ing' (god) and 'galdur' (spell or charm), suggesting a possible association with pagan beliefs in the past. The distribution pattern suggests that the name may have migrated across Europe with the expansion of Germanic tribes during the early Middle Ages.

Variants and spellings of the last name Ingold

The surname Ingold has several variations and spellings worldwide, reflecting differences in transcription, pronunciation, and cultural influences over time. Some common versions include Ingoldt, Ingoldsby, Ingolde, Ingoldtse, Ingoldsmit, Ingoldstone, Ingoldsby-Mullen, Ingoldsham, Ingoldsbee, and Ingoldsby-Wilson. The name may also appear as Inguold, Ingoald, or even Injold in some historical records or regional dialects. While the origins of this surname are not definitively known, it is believed to be of Old English or Germanic origin, with possible meanings such as "young wolf" (Ingolf) or "angle of the valley" (Ingoldr). The spelling variations and multiple potential meanings illustrate the rich historical and cultural heritage associated with this last name.

Famous people with the last name Ingold

Notable individuals with the surname Ingold include:

1. Geoffrey Ingram Taylor Ingold (1887-1915), an English mathematician and physicist, best known for his work on shock waves. His findings are still widely applied in the study of aerodynamics and ballistics.

2. Paul Adolf Theodor Ingold (1869-1934), a German geographer who was one of the founders of human geography as an academic discipline. He is recognized for his work on anthropogeography, a field that studies the relationship between people and their environment.

3. Ernst Friedrich Ferdinand Albert Ingold (1867-1924), a German zoologist and ornithologist who was a professor at the University of Kiel. He is known for his work on bird migrations, particularly those of storks and cranes.

4. John Frederick William Herschel Ingold (1856-1936), a British chemist who made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry. He is best known for developing the concept of resonance structures, which are important in understanding the structure and reactivity of molecules.

Genealogical research on the last name Ingold

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Inga

Last name • surnames > inga

The last name "Inga" is of Swedish or Norwegian origin. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from a personal name of a male ancestor, in this case, likely the given na...

#2 Ingali

Last name • surnames > ingali

The last name "Ingali" is of Italian origin. It is believed to be of locational origin, deriving from a place in Italy named "Ingali".

#3 Ingalls

Last name • surnames > ingalls

The surname "Ingalls" is of Old Norse origin, derived from the given name 'Ingallr' or 'Ingildr', which were Norse names related to the Scandinavian god Ing. During the Middle Ages...

#4 Ingar

Last name • surnames > ingar

The name Ingar has a Basque origin. It comes from the word "inguru", which means "alrededores" in Basque.

#5 Ingavale

Last name • surnames > ingavale

The last name "Ingavale" is of Indian origin. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "inga," meaning "hook" or "fish," and "vale," meaning "dweller."

#6 Ingco

Last name • surnames > ingco

The surname "Ingco" is of Chinese origin. It is derived from the Chinese word "Yĭngkè," which means "heroic" or "brave." The surname is common among Chinese Filipino families.

#7 Ingeborg

Last name • surnames > ingeborg

The last name Ingeborg is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse elements Ing (a Germanic god) and borg (fortress). It is a common surname in Norway and Sweden.

#8 Ingeczack

Last name • surnames > ingeczack

The surname Ingeczak does not have a clear, widely accepted etymology that can be definitively traced to its original source. It is generally believed that many Hungarian surnames,...

#9 Ingelaere

Last name • surnames > ingelaere

The last name "Ingelaere" is of Belgian origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Engelier," which was introduced into medieval Belgium by the invading Normans. Over...

#10 Ingemi

Last name • surnames > ingemi

The last name Ingemi is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Sicilian word "ingegno," which means "ingenious" or "clever."

#11 Inges

Last name • surnames > inges

The last name "Inges" is of Scandinavian origin, derived from the personal name Inger, which in turn comes from the Old Norse word "Ingvarr," meaning "protected by Ing" (Ing being ...

#12 Ingh

Last name • surnames > ingh

The last name "Ingh" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Inga," which means "the people of Inga." This surname was used to identify someone as b...

#13 Inghelmann

Last name • surnames > 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 Engi...

#14 Ingi near

Last name • surnames > ingi-near

The surname "Ingi near" is of Icelandic origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Ingjald", which is composed of the elements "Ing" meaning "god" or "hero" and "valdr...

#15 Ingin

Last name • surnames > ingin

The surname "Ingin" is of Indonesian origin. It is derived from the Javanese word "ingin," which means "want" or "desire."