Show ContentsIan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Ian family

The surname Ian was first found in Cambridgeshire, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Ian family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ian research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1273 and 1789 are included under the topic Early Ian History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ian Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Ian has been recorded under many different variations, including Ion, Ionn, Ione, Ionne, Iyon, Iyonne and others.

Early Notables of the Ian family

More information is included under the topic Early Ian Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ian family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Ian or a variant listed above: John Ion, who sailed to Philadelphia in 1819. By the latter half of the 19th century the family had immigrated to Canada, where John Ion was registered in Ontario in 1865..


Contemporary Notables of the name Ian (post 1700) +

  • Janis Ian (b. 1951), Grammy Award-winning American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumental musician, columnist, and science fiction author. Her song "Society's Child" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors recordings considered timeless and important to music history
  • David Ian Marquand FBA, FRHistS, FRSA, FLSW (1934-2024), British academic and member of parliament
  • Peter Ian Shapiro (1952-2024), American financial services executive, member of the Board of Directors of New Israel Fund, and politician from New Jersey
  • Paul Ian Bence (1948-2024), English professional footballer who made more than 250 appearances in the Football League playing for Brighton & Hove Albion, Reading, Brentford and Torquay United (1968-1977)
  • Leonard Ian Singer MHK MR Pharm S (1943-2023), British politician and pharmacist based in Ramsey, Isle of Man
  • Case Ian Punnett (1960-2023), American radio broadcaster, author, professor, and Episcopal deacon
  • David Ian Rabey, British Emeritus Professor of Theatre and Theatre Practice at Aberystwyth University
  • Geoff Ian Sarjeant (b. 1969), Canadian former professional NHL ice hockey goaltender who played for the St. Louis Blues and the San Jose SharksOntario
  • Sir William Ian Axford FRS FRSNZ (1933-2010), New Zealand space scientist, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Aeronomy, Germany (1974 to 1990)
  • Max Ian Stier (b. 1966), American attorney, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service


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