Ingelger was the son of a Frankish nobleman Tertullus and his wife Petronilla. She was the niece of Raino, Bishop of Angers. Petronilla was also a relative of Hugh the Abbot, an counselor to both Louis II and Louis III of France. His mother's influence was one of the reasons for Ingelger's success. Records of the time call Ingelger a "miles optimus" (a great military man). Louis II appointed Ingelger as viscount of Orléans which at the time was under the rule of the Bishop of Orléans. While at Orléans Ingelger married Adelais. Later Ingelger was appointed prefect (military commander) at Tours. Some time after this Ingelger was made Count of Anjou. At this time the county went only as far west as the Mayenne River. He was buried in the church of Saint-Martin at Châteauneuf-sur-Sarthe. 