Show ContentsIvany History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Ivany is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a person who because of their personal attributes and characteristics was referred to as Ivy. In this case the nickname was originally derived from an old Christmas game, where Ivy-girl was the antagonist. This name signifies a young maiden. Often nicknames described strong traits or attributes that people wished to emulate in a specific animal. In the Middle Ages, anthropomorphic ideas, which attributed human qualities and form to gods or animals, were held about the characters of other living creatures. They were based on the creature's habits. Moreover, these associations were reflected in folk tales, mythology, and legends which portrayed animals behaving as humans.

Early Origins of the Ivany family

The surname Ivany was first found in Huntingdonshire where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Ivany family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ivany research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ivany History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ivany Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ivany have been found, including Ivany, Ivimey, Iviormy, Ivamy, Iveney, Ivanny and many more.

Early Notables of the Ivany family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Ivany of St...

Ivany Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Ivany is the 134th most popular surname with an estimated 278 people with that name. 1


Canada Ivany migration to Canada +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Ivany, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Ivany Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Nicholas Ivany, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1755 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Ivany (post 1700) +

  • Linda C Ivany, Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences at Syracuse University
  • Peter Alexander Ivany, Australian born media mogul, the CEO of Hoyts from 1988 to 1999


  1. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  2. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0


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