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Ignatius Family History

Ignatius Surname Meaning

Dutch, German, and Indian (southern states): from the Late Latin personal name Ignatius derived from the old Roman surname Egnatius (of uncertain origin, possibly Etruscan). This was altered in the early Christian period by association with Latin ignis ‘fire’. It was borne by various early saints, notably by a bishop of Antioch c. 100 AD, the object of a widespread cult in the Middle Ages which gave rise to surnames such as German Natzke.

However, the comparative popularity of this personal name and its local forms (such as Spanish Ignacio) in Catholic countries today is due to the fame of Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556; see Inigo), founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).

Note: Since South Indians traditionally do not have hereditary surnames, the southern Indian name was in most cases registered as such only after immigration of its bearers to the US.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


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Where is the Ignatius family from?

You can see how Ignatius families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Ignatius family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Canada between 1880 and 1920. The most Ignatius families were found in USA in 1920. In 1891 there were 2 Ignatius families living in London. This was 100% of all the recorded Ignatius's in United Kingdom. London had the highest population of Ignatius families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Ignatius surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Ignatius ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Painter and Teacher were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Ignatius. 20% of Ignatius men worked as a Painter and 63% of Ignatius women worked as a Teacher. Some less common occupations for Americans named Ignatius were Yard Clerk and Stenographer.

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*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, England data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Painter
    20%
  • New Worker
    20%
  • Laborer
    20%
  • Yard Clerk
    14%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Teacher
    63%
  • Stenographer
    38%

What Ignatius family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 1,000 census records available for the last name Ignatius. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Ignatius census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Ignatius

Passenger Lists

There are 886 immigration records available for the last name Ignatius. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

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Draft Cards

There are 496 military records available for the last name Ignatius. For the veterans among your Ignatius ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

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What is the average Ignatius lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Ignatius life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1946, and highest in 1982. The average life expectancy for Ignatius in 1945 was 34, and 87 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Ignatius

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Ignatius ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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