Show ContentsIngram History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished Austrian surname Ingram is a proud sign of a rich and ancient ancestry. Austria, which was originally home to a Celtic people, was conquered by the Roman Empire in about 15 BC. Following the fall of Rome, Austria was repeatedly invaded by barbarian tribes, such as the Vandals, Visigoths, and Huns, who swept in from the east. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the Alemanni, Avars and Slavs settled Austria. The Avars were defeated in 785 by the Frankish emperor Charlemagne, who set up the East Mark, which later became known as the Österreich. Austria was ruled by the Babenburger dynasty until 1278, when they were succeeded by the Hapsburg dynasty, which ruled Austria until the 20th century.

Early Origins of the Ingram family

The surname Ingram was first found in Austria, where the name was an integral part of the feudal society which would shape modern European history. Many prominent branches of the family would strive to make this name renowned as they contributed to the social, economic and political affairs of the region. Individual bearers of the name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include Hainrich Ingram, who was born in Stockach in 1240, and Niclas Ingram, who was born in the Bohemian town of Eger in 1399.

Early History of the Ingram family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ingram research. Another 187 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1672, 1777 and 1806 are included under the topic Early Ingram History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ingram Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Ingram include Ingram, Inngram, Inggram, Ingramm, Ingramme, Inngramme, Inggramme and many more.

Early Notables of the Ingram family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Ingram were

  • Johann von Ingram (b.1806), who was the Secretary of the Chamber of Trade and Commerce at Botzen

Ingram World Ranking

In the United States, the name Ingram is the 371st most popular surname with an estimated 74,610 people with that name. 1 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Ingram is ranked the 560th most popular surname with an estimated 81 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Ingram is the 467th popular surname with an estimated 8,178 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Ingram as 618th with 1,154 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Ingram as 476th with 13,570 people. 5


United States Ingram migration to the United States +

Austria was made a republic after the First World War. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up by the Treaty of Versailles and many of its people found themselves in the new nation of Czechoslovakia. Many other Austrians and expatriate Austrians made their way to North America in the 20th century. Most landed in Philadelphia, later continuing on to the states of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Some Austrian settlers also went to western Canada and Ontario. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Ingram or a variant listed above:

Ingram Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Ingram, aged 18,who landed in Massachusetts Bay in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 6
  • Rich Ingram, who landed in Virginia in 1642 6
  • Joseph Ingram, who landed in Virginia in 1652 6
  • John Ingram, who settled in Virginia in 1652
  • Richard Ingram, who settled in America in 1652, along with Toby
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Ingram Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Samuell Ingram, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 6
  • Jona Ingram, who landed in Virginia in 1703 6
  • Ruth Ingram, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 6
  • Jonathan Ingram, who arrived in Virginia in 1717 6
  • Jacob Ingram, who arrived in America in 1766 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Ingram Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Andieu Ingram, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1803 6
  • Farmer Ingram, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 6
  • Florena Ingram, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 6
  • Sally Ingram, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 6
  • Mary Ingram, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Ingram migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ingram Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Ingram, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Thomas Ingram, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Ingram Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Ingram, aged 25, a merchant, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the ship "Sir Robert H. Dick" from Liverpool, England
  • Margaret Ingram, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Ambassador" in 1834

Australia Ingram migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Ingram Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Ingram, British Convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Earl Cornwallis" in August 1800, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
  • Mr. John Ingram, British Convict who was convicted in Suffolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
  • Mr. James Ingram, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in April 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
  • Mr. John Ingram, (b. 1811), aged 19, British Convict who was convicted in Monmouthshire, Wales for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Dunvegan Castle" on 13th March 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1862 10
  • Mr. John Ingram, English convict who was convicted in Dorset, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 22nd July 1830, arriving in New South Wales 11
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Ingram migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ingram Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Ingram, (b. 1823), aged 16, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in Port Nicholson, Wellington, New Zealand on 31st January 1840 12
  • Mr. Joseph Ingram, British settler arriving as Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Sir George Symour" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 26th November 1847 12
  • Thomas Ingram, aged 40, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Seringapatam" in 1856
  • Benjamin Ingram, aged 40, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Seringapatam" in 1856
  • Margaret Ingram, aged 13, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Seringapatam" in 1856
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Ingram migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 13
Ingram Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Robert and William Ingram, who arrived in Barbados and/or Jamaica in 1699

Contemporary Notables of the name Ingram (post 1700) +

  • Rex Ingram (1895-1969), American film and stage actor best known for his role in "The Thief of Bagdad" (1940), born Reginald Ingram Montgomery Hitchcock
  • Jack Ingram (1936-2021), American NASCAR Busch Series race car driver, nicknamed the "Iron Man", he won 31 races and 5 poles, and the 1982 and 1985 championships
  • Daniel Trombley "Dan" Ingram (1934-2018), American Top 40 radio disc jockey
  • Riccardo Benay Ingram (1966-2015), American former Major League Baseball player who played from 1994 to 1995
  • John Randolph Ingram (1929-2013), American Democratic politician, attorney, North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance (1973–1985)
  • Gunners Mate 1st Class Osmond Kelly Ingram (1887-1917), American Navy sailor awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously
  • Jack Ingram (1902-1969), American film actor in over 300 films between 1935 and 1966
  • Erskine Bronson Ingram (1931-1995), American businessman and billionaire, long time head of Ingram Industries
  • Vernon M Ingram (1924-2006), German-born, American professor of biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Sir William James Ingram (1847-1924), 1st Baronet, Managing Director of The Illustrated London News
  • ... (Another 13 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Leslie R Ingram (b. 1921), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Dartford, Kent, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 14
  • Mr. John W Ingram (b. 1887), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Derby, Derbyshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 14
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Jack Ingram, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 15
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. George Ingram (d. 1912), aged 20, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic, died in the sinking and was recovered by CS Mackay-Bennett 16


Suggested Readings for the name Ingram +

  • The Descendants of Jonas Ingram and Melinda Butler by James Barry Bingham.
  • Rhodes-Barnett and Mitchusson-Ingram by Norma Rhodes Ladd.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  5. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  6. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  7. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-cornwallis
  8. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dunvegan-castle
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/burrell
  12. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  14. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  15. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  16. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook