Contents [hide]

Inglis History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Inglis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
England
Ireland

The origins of the Inglis surname date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from an early member of the family who was a Englishman, so nicknamed for a person from England. The name Inglis comes from the Old English word "Englisc," originally used to describe the Angles as distinct from the Saxons. One document in referrring to a raid in 1541, mentions the attacking party were 'to the number of fifty-two Inglimen. The name was probably used to refer to "Non Welsh" in the border counties in that region, "Non-Celtic Scot" in the Scottish-England borderlands, and "Non-Dane" in the Danelaw regions.

Another source notes the name is "borne by numerous Norman families. Adam, Alexander, Alvered, Asceline, Bernard, Henry, Elias, Gaufrid, and twenty more, bore, 1180-95, the name of Anglicus in Normandy (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae). Twenty-four of the name of Anglicus are mentioned in 1198 The families of English or Inglis are all Norman. 'England’ is another form of Anglicus." 1

And finally we must include the following: " ‘English’, originally referring to Angles as distinct from Saxons, a meaning not to be considered for the surname. Inglis is a Scottish form denoting an Englishman as opposed to the Scottish borderer or the Celtic Scot, whilst the northern English probably referred to an Englishman living among Strathclyde Welsh. But the name was not confined to this district. In the Welsh border counties the name would be given to an Englishman in a preponderatingly Welsh community. For some generations after the Conquest an official distinction was made between Angli and Franci, the native, defeated English and the conquering Normans, and this may account for the name in Essex, Kent and Sussex, where it was probably at first derogatory. At the end of the 13th century l’Englois is found as a surname in Paris and this, given by Frenchmen in France, may well have been retained when the emigrant returned home. " 2

Early Origins of the Inglis family

The surname Inglis was first found in Herefordshire where Gillebertus Anglicus was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1171. 2 William le Englich was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Walter Ingeleys, Oxfordshire and Roger Ingleys was listed in the Writs of Parliament c. 1300. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Inglays as holding lands there at that time. 4

Further to the south in the parish of Whitstone, Cornwall, "the manor of Wadfast belonged to a family named L'Engleis, or English, so early as the reign of Edward III. " 5

One source claims there is good evidence that the family lived near Winkleigh Tracy, Devon. At one time, there were two castles, "but there is no trace of either now, beyond a couple of mounds, which may have been the foundations. It is quite possible that one of those 'castles' may have been the mansion at Up Holecombe, which Richard Inglish had the licence of the King to castellate about 1361, especially as one of the mounds above mentioned is very doubtful." 6

Early History of the Inglis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Inglis research. Another 202 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1153, 1171, 1205, 1208, 1269, 1296, 1311, 1478, 1564, 1630, 1660, 1683, 1686, 1687, 1688, 1689, 1693, 1703, 1714, 1718, 1734, 1771, 1772, 1786, 1799, 1801, 1816, 1817, 1855, 1890 and 1942 are included under the topic Early Inglis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Inglis Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Inglis has been spelled many different ways, including Inglis, Inglish, Inglys, English, Englys and others.

Early Notables of the Inglis family

Distinguished members of the family include

Archibald Inglis (b. circa 1630), an ordained minister, who was Rector of Glasow University from 1686-1689
Sir James Inglis of Cramond, who was created a Baronet in March 1687

Inglis World Ranking

In the United States, the name Inglis is the 13,492^nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 7 However, in Australia, the name Inglis is ranked the 747^th most popular surname with an estimated 5,215 people with that name. 8 And in New Zealand, the name Inglis is the 698^th popular surname with an estimated 1,021 people with that name. 9

Migration of the Inglis family to Ireland

Some of the Inglis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Inglis migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Ingliss to arrive in North America:

Inglis Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Maurice Inglis, (Anglis) from Wiltshire who arrived in New England aboard the ship "James" in 1635 10
James Inglis, who was banished to the colonies, arriving in Boston in 1652
Patrick Inglis, who arrived in Boston in 1652
George Inglis, who arrived in Maryland in 1664 11
Mary Inglis, who landed in Maryland in 1664 11

Inglis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander Inglis, who arrived in Boston in 1746
Charles Inglis, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1759 11
Janet Inglis, who arrived in America in 1760 11

Inglis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Inglis, aged 21, who arrived in America in 1822 11
David Inglis, who landed in Michigan in 1845 11
James Inglis, who arrived in America in 1850 11
Ann Inglis, who arrived in America in 1850 11
Margaret Inglis, who arrived in America in 1850 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Inglis migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Inglis Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Catherine Inglis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1820
John Inglis, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1843

Inglis migration to Australia +

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

Inglis Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

William Inglis, a tailor, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
John Inglis, a shoemaker, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
James Inglis, a upholsterer, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
James Inglis, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Fairfield" in 1839 12
Janet Inglis, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Fairfield" in 1839 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Inglis 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:

Inglis Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Inglis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Glenborvis
John Inglis, who landed in Manawatu, New Zealand in 1840
William Inglis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
R. Inglis, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Glenbervie" in 1840 13
Mr. Inglis, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Glenbervie" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 7th March 1840 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Inglis (post 1700) +

Gwen Inglis (d. 2021), American road racing cyclist, 2019 US Masters road race champion in the 45-49 age group; she was killed by an impaired driver on May 16, 2021
John Chris Inglis (b. 1954), Deputy Director of the National Security Agency
Sir Robert Inglis (1786-1855), English politician, born in London on 12 Jan. 1786, was only son of Sir Hugh Inglis, bart., for many years a director of the East India Company, and sometime M.P. for Ashburton
John Inglis (1810-1891), Lord Glencorse, Lord Justice-General of Scotland, youngest son off John Inglis, minister of Tibbermore, Perthshire
Charles Inglis (1734-1816), Irish-born, Anglican clergyman, the first Anglican bishop in North America for the Diocese of Nova Scotia
Sir John Eardley Wilmot Inglis (1814-1862), Canadian Defender of Lucknow, born in Nova Scotia 15 Nov. 1814, the son of John Inglis, D.D., third bishop of Nova Scotia, and his wife
Mrs. Margaret Maxwell Inglis (1774-1843), Scottish poetess, born on 27 Oct. 1774 at Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, daughter of Dr. Alexander Murray
Sir William Inglis (1764-1835), Scottish general, the third son of William Inglis, M.D, three times president of the College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and descended from the Inglis family of Manner and Mannerhead, Roxburghshire
Henry David Inglis (1795-1835), Scottish traveller and miscellaneous writer, the only son of a Scottish advocate, born at Edinburgh and was educated for commercial life; but he found work in an office uncongenial, turned to literature, and travelled abroad
John Inglis (1763-1834), Scottish divine, born in 1763, the youngest son of Harry Inglis, M.A., minister of Forteviot, Perthshire
... (Another 15 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
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)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) FAIRFIELD 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Fairfield.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 12th December 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html