Show ContentsInglyth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Inglyth family lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Inglyth was a name given to a Englishman, so nicknamed for a person from England. The name Inglyth 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 Inglyth family

The surname Inglyth 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 Inglyth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Inglyth 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 Inglyth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Inglyth Spelling Variations

Inglyth has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Inglyth have been found, including Inglis, Inglish, Inglys, English, Englys and others.

Early Notables of the Inglyth 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...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Inglyth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Inglyth family to Ireland

Some of the Inglyth 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.

Migration of the Inglyth family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Inglyths to arrive on North American shores: Mary Inglish, who settled in Barbados in 1635; George Inglis, who came to Maryland in 1664; Thomas Inglish, who settled in New York in 1775; James Inglis, who was banished to the colonies, arriving in Boston in 1652.



  1. 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)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. 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.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  6. Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital


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