Study show most of us are only 37% British … unless you come from one part of the country
New study shows that on average we are only around a third Anglo-saxon
THINK you’re British through and through? Think again.
The chances are you are no more than a true Brit.
A study of our DNA had found that the average Briton is only 37 per cent British – with a hotchpotch of other genes hailing from Scandinavia, Spain and Greece.
It also revealed that Yorkshire folk are the most British people in the UK, with an average of 41 per cent Anglo-Saxon DNA.
Not surprisingly, Londoners have the most diverse make-up.
Scots have the most Irish blood – 43.84 per cent – which is almost as much as those living in Northern Ireland, and compares with only 20 percent in England.
The Welsh are most likely to have Spanish or Portuguese heritage.
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The study, carried out by Ancestry, examined the genetic history of two million people via their home DNA kits.
Analysis of the test, which invloves a simple saliva sample, traced ancestry back to over the past 500 years.
It found that the average UK resident is 36.94 per cent British, or Anglo-Saxon, 21.59 per cent Irish (Celtic) and 19.91 per cent Western European - the region covered today by France and Germany.
Scandinavia accounted for 9.20 per cent of the DNA, the Iberian Peninsula – Spain and Portugal – was 3.05 per cent and Italy and Greece accounted for 1.98 per.
Yorkshire was found to have the highest percentage of Anglo-Saxon ancestry (41.17 per cent), while the East Midlands has the most Scandinavian ancestry (10.37 per cent) as well as the most Eastern European (2.47 per cent).
There were marked differences between residents of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.
The English had highest amount of Scandinavian (9.39 per cent) and French/German ancestry (20.45 per cent) and the least Irish ancestry.
Scots had the most DNA from Finland and Russia (1.31 per cent).
People living in Scotland have the highest amount of Finnish/Northwest Russian heritage (1.31 per cent), which is perhaps explained by their geographic proximity.
Within England, London is the most ethnically diverse region, having the highest amount of heritage from 17 of the 26 regions analysed.
The East of England has the most Italian/Greek (2.53 per cent) and French/German ancestry (22.52 per cent), as well as the highest amount from the Iberian Peninsula (3.43 per cent).
Within England, the North East is home to people with the most Celtic ancestry (27.58 per cent).
Brad Argent, of AncestryDNA, said: “At a time when the concept of British identity is at the forefront of many people's minds, it's interesting to see that when it comes to our ancestry, we're not as British or Irish as we may think.
“The UK has been a cultural and ethnic melting pot for not just generations, but centuries, and our DNA data provides a fascinating glimpse into our ancestors, including hints of immigration and emigration.
“While it's fascinating looking at this data on a national scale, the fun really starts when you test your own DNA and begin to delve into your own family history.”
The Results
The UK: British (36.94%), Irish (21.59%), Europe West (19.91%), Scandinavia (9.20%), Iberian Peninsula (3.05%), Italy/Greece (1.98%), Eastern Europe (1.84%), European Jewish (1.46%), Finland/Northwest Russia (1%)
England: British (37.61%), Europe West (20.45%), Irish (20%), Scandinavia (9.39%), Iberian Peninsula (3.09%), Italy/Greece (2.01%), Eastern Europe (1.85%), European Jewish (1.51%)
Scotland: Irish (43.84%), British (26.18%), Europe West (13.05%), Scandinavia (7.19%), Iberian Peninsula (2.30%), Eastern Europe (1.68%), Italy/Greece (1.63%), Finland/Northwest Russia 1.31%)
Wales: British (36.15%), Irish (31.99%), Europe West (14.70%), Scandinavia (6.64%), Iberian Peninsula (3.21%), Eastern Europe (1.85%), Italy/Greece (1.50%), European Jewish (1%)
Northern Ireland: Irish (48.49%), British (23.64%), Europe West (12.11%), Scandinavia (6.19%), Iberian Peninsula (2.07%), Italy/Greece (1.24%), Eastern Europe (1.10%)
REGIONS
East Midlands: British (41.08%), Europe West (21.21%), Irish (16%), Scandinavia (10.37%), Iberian Peninsula (2.97%), Eastern Europe (2.47%), Italy/Greece (1.58%)
East of England: British (36.29%), Europe West (22.52%), Irish (17.46%), Scandinavia 9.71%), Iberian Peninsula (3.43%), Eastern Europe (2.03%), Italy/Greece (2.53%), European Jewish (1.61%)
London: British (33.60%), Europe West (20.04%), Irish (19.76%), Scandinavia (8.41%), European Jewish (3.66%), Iberian Peninsula (3.39%), Italy/Greece (2.51%), Eastern Europe (1.86%)
North East: British (36.42%), Irish (27.58%), Europe West (17.87%), Scandinavia (9.37%), Iberian Peninsula (2.64%), Italy/Greece (1.54%), Eastern Europe (1.34%), Finland/Northwest Russia (1.14%)
North West: British (37.03%), Irish (26.89%) Europe West (16.97%), Scandinavia (8.76%), Iberian Peninsula (2.54%), Eastern Europe (1.78%), Italy/Greece (1.48%), European Jewish (1.06%), Finland/Northwest Russia (1%)
South East England: British (38.35%), Europe West (22.07%), Irish (17.09%), Scandinavia (9.90%), Iberian Peninsula (3.29%), Italy/Greece (2.15%), Eastern Europe (1.79%), European Jewish (1.18%)
South West England: British (40.10%), Europe West (20.79%), Irish (17.95%), Scandinavia (9.16%), Iberian Peninsula (3.30%), Italy/Greece (2.13%), Eastern Europe (1.93%)
West Midlands: British (39.89%), Europe West (21.10%), Irish (19.21%), Scandinavia (9.65%), Iberian Peninsula (2.87%), Italy/Greece (1.53%), Eastern Europe (1.46%)
Yorkshire and Humber: British (41.17%), Europe West (19.65%), Irish (19.28%), Scandinavia (10.10%), Iberian Peninsula (2.66%), Eastern Europe (1.80%), Italy/Greece (1.68%)