Surname Ivory - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Surname Ivory: An Intimate Voyage Through My iGENEA DNA Test

The recent iGENEA DNA test I underwent revealed remarkable insights into the surname Ivory. Predominantly traced to the United Kingdom and Ireland, the surname Ivory is a name with a vibrant history and deep roots. The test linked it to Irish nobility and also suggested a surprising Scandinavian connection, further expanding the understanding of my heritage. The result didn’t just offer me a biological trace, but an entire historical narration of the Ivory lineage.

S. Ivory

Ivory: What does the surname Ivory mean?

The surname Ivory is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English personal name "Ivar," which means "bowman" or "archer" in the Norse language. It was habitually given as a baptismal name in honor of a successful military leader in the medieval period. Therefore, the last name Ivory can be associated with a lineage of archers or bowmen. The ivory surname appeared prominently in ancient Scottish history and early family records appeared in the Shetland Islands.

Over centuries, this surname has numerous spelling variations like Ivory, Ivary, Ivorie, Ivories, and others as a result of linguistic and cultural changes. The surname also migrated with individuals who moved for various reasons like finding new opportunities or escaping political conflict, eventually making it more widespread. Today, it can be found among individuals in many English-speaking countries, though it is comparatively rare. The association with the 'Ivory' as elephants' tusk came much later and has no direct association with the surname.

Ivory: Where does the name Ivory come from?

The surname Ivory is of Anglo-Saxon origin, coming from Old English personal name Ívarr, which is a common name in Nordic cultures. It is formed from the elements 'yr' meaning bow, and 'arr' meaning warrior. Therefore, the owner of this surname could be an ancestor of a bow warrior. Ivory was first found in Norfolk, where they held family seats from ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Today, this surname is prevalent in the United States, England, and Australia. However, it maintains its strongest presence in the United States. The Ivory surname also appears significantly in the African-American community within the United states, where it may have been adopted during or after the era of slavery, due to the common practice of enslaved Africans to adopt the last names of their owners or to choose other surnames upon their emancipation. Some may have adopted the name Ivory due to the value placed on ivory as a material, symbolizing a sense of worth and dignity.

Variations of the surname Ivory

The surname Ivory is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the old French "Ivor," which means "yew." The variations of the surname Ivory are diverse and it has been spelled differently over the centuries. Some of these different spellings include Ivary, Ivorie, Ivry, Ivy, and Ivrey.

Ivory has several other variants in different cultures due to translation and changes in phonetics. For example, in Welsh, it's often spelled as "Ifor," in Irish, it's spelled "Ó hEimhir," and in Latin, "Eboracum."

There are also surnames that are related to Ivory due to having similar origins or meanings. These include Iverson, Ivers, Iver, and Ivorson.

Ultimately, the surname Ivory and its variants have evolved significantly over time and have spread across different cultures globally, all of which contributing to the range of spellings and surnames of the same origin. Please note that surnames can be subject to individual modifications and regional dialects, which may yield further unique versions of the name.

Famous people with the name Ivory

• Dan Ivory: American professional football player for the Los Angeles Rams
• Kurt Ivory: Producer and music engineer, Grammy Award winner
• Herman Ivory: American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association
• Bill Ivory: English actor, director and writer
• Mary Ann Ivory: American Broadway and film actress
• William E. Ivory: American film director, producer and screenwriter
• James Ivory: English film director, film producer and screenwriter
• Dennis Ivory: English actor, director, producer and narrator
• Evalyn E. Ivory: American journalist and producer
• Ronnie Ivory: American singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist
• John Ivory: British actor and director
• Joseph Ivory: American painting and sculpture conservator
• Richard Ivory: English footballer
• Lady Sovereign: English rapper, songwriter and recording artist
• AJ James: Singer-songwriter, musician and actress
• Harry Ivory: American actor and singer
• LaVerne Ivory: Singer and songwriter
• April Ivory: American singer-songwriter
• Tony Ivory: American singer, songwriter and guitar player
• Ron Ivory: American composer and record producer

Other surnames

IanteviIavorskiiIbachIbbachIbelIbelherrIbisIbisogluIblIblackerIblerIblherIblherrIbraevIbragimovIbrahimIbrahimajIbrahimiIbrahimlerIbrahimogluIbrahimovicIceIckstadtIdczunsIdlottIdris