Show ContentsInkster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Inkster

What does the name Inkster mean?

The descendents of Viking settlers in ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Inkster. It was derived from Ingsgar, a Viking Chieftain who settled in the Shetland Islands in the 9th century.

Early Origins of the Inkster family

The surname Inkster was first found in Orkney and the Shetlands, where some of the first records of the family include: "William Inkseter, tacksman of Skelbustir, and Huchown Inksettir, tacksman of Gryndale, on record in 1492." 1

Later, Magnus Ingsitter (Ingseter, or Inkster) appears as bailie-depute of Orphir between 1570 and 1584, and Edward Ingsetter or Inksetter was a witness in 1589 and 1600. Duncane Inksetter in the parish of Brassay is recorded in 1576. 1

One source notes that the family could be from "Ingestre; a location name in Staffordshire." 2 And digging further into this possibility, we found Ingestrie, or Ingestrk is a small parish in the S. division of the hundred of Pirehill, union, and N. division of the county. "Ingestre Hall, the seat of Earl Talbot, was partly built in the reign of Edward III.; the principal part is more modern, and in the style of architecture prevailing in the reign of Elizabeth. " 3

Early History of the Inkster family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Inkster research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1615, 1619 and 1648 are included under the topic Early Inkster History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Inkster Spelling Variations

Intuition and sound were the primary sources medieval scribes used to judge appropriate spellings and translations for names. The spelling of a name thus varied according to who was doing the recording. The different spelling variations of Inkster include Inkster, Inghster, Inkstar, Ingster, Ingstar and others.

Early Notables of the Inkster family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Inkster Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Inkster migration to the United States +

In their new home, Scots found land and opportunity, and some even fought for their new freedom in the American War of Independence. Some, who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In this century, the ancestors of both of these groups have begun recovering their illustrious national heritage through Clan societies and other Scottish historical organizations. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Inkster name:

Inkster Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George T. Inkster (1848-1901) was a Canadian-born American pioneer in the Red River Valley of present day North Dakota, eponym of Inkster, ND

Inkster migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Inkster Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • James Inkster who arrived around 1830 and settled in Red River, Manitoba was a Blacksmith and another early employee of HBCo

Inkster migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Inkster Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Andrew Inkster, aged 68, a fisherman, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Steadfast" 4
  • James Inkster, aged 21, who arrived in South Australia in 1858 aboard the ship "Frenchman"

Inkster migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Inkster Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Inkster, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Halcyon" arriving in New Zealand in 1852 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Inkster (post 1700) +

  • George T. Inkster (1848-1901), Canadian-born, American pioneer in the Red River Valley, North Dakota
  • Juli Inkster (b. 1960), American professional LPGA golfer
  • Nigel Inkster (b. 1952), British former director of operations and intelligence for the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)
  • Norman David Inkster OC (b. 1938), Canadian Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (1987-1994), made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1995
  • John Inkster Goodlad (1920-2014), Canadian-born, American educator, researcher and professor in education, President of the American Educational Research Association (1967-1968)


The Inkster Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Through


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  4. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) STEADFAST 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/steadfast1852.shtml
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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