Ignatius Family History

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.