Explore the Family Name Ignatius
The meaning of Ignatius
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, 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.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Ignatius in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Ignatius has seen a rise in popularity from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, it was ranked 69,201 with a count of 265 which represented 0.1 per 100k of the population. By 2010, its rank had improved to 58,042 and the count increased to 350, representing 0.12 per 100k of the population. This is a significant change, with the rank improving by 16.13% and the count increasing by 32.08%.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #69,201 | #58,042 | 16.13% |
| Count | 265 | 350 | 32.08% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.1 | 0.12 | 20% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Ignatius
When it comes to ethnic identity, the Decennial U.S. Census data indicates substantial shifts between 2000 and 2010 for those bearing the Ignatius surname. In 2000, the majority identified as White at 71.70%, followed by Asian/Pacific Islander at 20.38%, American Indian and Alaskan Native at 2.26%, and Black at 2.64%. By 2010, though a majority still identified as White (54.29%), there was a notable increase in those identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander (34.86%) and American Indian and Alaskan Native (4.57%). The percentage of those identifying as Black slightly decreased to 2.29%. Those identifying as Hispanic or belonging to two or more races were reported for the first time in 2010, at 1.43% and 2.57% respectively.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 71.7% | 54.29% | -24.28% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 20.38% | 34.86% | 71.05% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 2.26% | 4.57% | 102.21% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 2.57% | 0% |
| Black | 2.64% | 2.29% | -13.26% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 1.43% | 0% |