Britons/British people
Notable Britons: Isambard Kingdom Brunel · Gordon Brown · Paula Radcliffe · Winston Churchill David Lloyd George · Keira Knightley · Adam Smith · Horatio Nelson
Total population
Briton/British est: 150,000,000 2. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, FRS (9 April 1806 &ndash 15 September 1859 (ˈɪzəmbɑrd ˈkɪŋdəm brʊˈnɛl was a British Engineer. WikipediaManual of Style (biographies#Academic titles --> James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951 is Paula Jane Radcliffe MBE (born on 17 December, 1973 in Davenham, Cheshire, England) is a British Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC, PC (Can ( 30 November 1874 David Lloyd George 1st Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor OM, PC (17 January 1863 &ndash 26 March 1945 was a British Statesman and the only Keira Christina Knightley (ˌkɪərəˈnaɪtlɪ born March 26, 1985) is a Golden Globe – BAFTA - and Academy Award –nominated Adam Smith ( baptised 16 June 1723 – 17 July 1790) was a Scottish moral philosopher and a pioneer of Political economy. Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson 1st Viscount Nelson 1st Duke of Bronté, KB (29 September 1758– 21 October 1805 was a British 26% of World's Population These figures are estimates based on official census data of populations and official surveys of identity.
Regions with significant populations
United Kingdom 53,000,000 (White British only) Less than 7,000,000(Non-White British only) 60,000,000 (British born of any race)
United States 678,000 2 [1][2]  Canada 603,000 2 [3]  Australia 1,300,000 2 [4]  New Zealand 71,391 2 [5]  Spain 761,000 2 [6]  Ireland 291,000 2 [7] British Overseas Territories 247,899 3 [8]  South Africa 212,000 2 [9]  France 200,000 2  Germany 115,000 2 [10]  Argentina 100,000 1 [11]  Cyprus 59,000 2 [12]  United Arab Emirates 55,000 2 [13]  Pakistan 47,000 2 [14]  Switzerland 45,000 2 [15]  Singapore 45,000 2 [16]  Netherlands 44,000 2 [17]  Israel 44,000 2 [18]  Thailand 41,000 2 [19]  Portugal 38,000 2 [20]  People's Republic of China 36,000 2 [21]  Turkey 34,000 2 [22]  India 32,000 2 [23]  Kenya 29,000 2 [24]  Saudi Arabia 26,000 2 [25]  Jamaica 25,000 2 [26]  Denmark 13,000 2 [27]
Languages
Cornish · Dgèrnésiais · English · Irish · Jèrriais · Llanito · Manx · Scots · Scottish Gaelic · Welsh
Religions
Mainly Anglicanism, Presbyterianism and Roman Catholicism. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located " White British " was a racially -based classification used by the 2001 census. People from various ethnic groups reside in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the Sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. Cyprus (Κύπρος transliterated: Kýpros,; Kıbrıs officially the Republic of Cyprus (Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Singapore The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north Somalia to the northeast Tanzania to the south The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi Jamaica (ˈdʒəˈmeɪkə} is an Island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe For the Cornish-English dialect see West Country dialects and List of Cornish dialect words. Guernésiais, also known as Dgèrnésiais, Guernsey French, Guernsey Norman French, is the variety of Norman language spoken in Guernsey English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Irish (ga ''Gaeilge'' is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Jèrriais is the form of the Norman language spoken in Jersey, in the Channel Islands, off the coast of France. Llanito (jɑˈnito or) or Yanito is an Andalusian Spanish based vernacular spoken Manx ( Gaelg or Gailck, ɡilk or) also known as Manx Gaelic, is a Goidelic language once spoken on the Isle Scots ( The Scots leid) refers to Anglic varieties derived from early northern Middle English spoken in parts of Scotland and Northern Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Welsh ( cy Cymraeg or cy y Gymraeg, kəmˈrɑːɨɡ and {{IPA|[ə ɡəmˈrɑːɨɡ]}}, is a member of the Brythonic branch of Celtic Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity
Related ethnic groups
British Americans · Anglo-Celtic Australian · Anglo-African · English Canadians · English · Gibraltarian · Anglo-Irish · Ulster-Scots · Irish · Manx · New Zealand European · Scottish · Welsh
Footnotes
People of full or partial British ancestry born in to that country British born people of British ancestry only (i. Anglo-Celtic Australian is an Ethnic or cultural category used to describe Australians with British and/or Irish ancestral origins Anglo-Africans are people of primarily Sub-Saharan Africa whose first language is English. English Canada|Canadians of English descentAn English Canadian is a Canadian whose principal language is English or who is of English ancestry; it is used The English people (from the adjective in Englisc) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to England who predominantly speak English The Gibraltarians (colloquially Llanitos) are a Southern European Nation and Cultural group native to Gibraltar, " Anglo-Irish " was a term used historically to describe a privileged Social class in Ireland, whose members were the descendants and successors of the Ulster Scots, also known as Ullans, Hiberno-Scots, or Scots-Irish, refers to the variety of Scots (sometimes referred to as The Irish people ( Irish: Muintir na hÉireann, na hÉireannaigh, na Gaeil) are a Western European Ethnic group who originate The Manx are an ethnic group coming from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea in northern Europe. The term New Zealand European refers to New Zealand residents of European descent who identify as New Zealand Europeans rather than some more specific European The Scots people ( Scots Gaelic: Albannaich) are a Nation and an Ethnic group indigenous to Scotland. The Welsh people ( Welsh: Cymro ("Welshman" Cymraes ("Welsh woman" Cymry ("Welshmen/women" Cymry e. not 1) Politically British citizens, due to the fact they reside in British overseas territories, however few are ethnically British

British people, or Britons,^[28] are the inhabitants of Great Britain or citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, one of the Channel Islands, or of one of the British overseas territories. The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the Sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom concerning Citizenship and other categories of British Nationality. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Isle of Man (Ellan Vannin ˈɛlʲən ˈvanɪn or Mann (Mannin) is a self-governing Crown dependency, located in the Irish Sea at the geographical The Channel Islands ( Norman: Îles d'la Manche, French: Îles Anglo-Normandes or Îles de la Manche) are a group of Islands The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the Sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom ^[29][30] In a historical context, the word is used to refer to the ancient Britons, the indigenous inhabitants of Great Britain south of the Forth. The European peoples are the various Nations and Ethnic groups of Europe. The Firth of Forth ( Scottish Gaelic: Linne Foirthe) is the Estuary or Firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows Contemporary Britons are descended mainly from the varied ethnic stocks, from those who settled there before the 11th century, to those born afterwards.

The British people are today regarded by some as a single nation,^[31] and by others as a collection of separate nations - English, Scots, Welsh, - who happen to share the island of Great Britain. A nation is a Human Cultural and Social Community. In as much as most members never meet each other yet feel a common bond it may be considered The English people (from the adjective in Englisc) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to England who predominantly speak English The Scots people ( Scots Gaelic: Albannaich) are a Nation and an Ethnic group indigenous to Scotland. The Welsh people ( Welsh: Cymro ("Welshman" Cymraes ("Welsh woman" Cymry ("Welshmen/women" Cymry ^{[32] [33]}

Origins

Further information: Prehistoric settlement of Great Britain and Ireland

Greek and Roman writers between the first century BC and the first century AD describe the inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland as Priteni,^[34] the origin of the Latin word Britannic. The British Isles have a long history of migration from across Europe, starting in the Palaeolithic period The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Etymologicum Genuinum and Parthenius^[35] mention of Bretannus (the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek Βρεττανός) as a Celt forefather of the Britons. The Etymologicum Magnum ( Ancient Greek: Μέγα Ετυμολογικόν or Etymologicum genuinum was a grammatical encyclopedia edited at Constantinople Parthenius of Nicaea in Bithynia was a Greek Grammarian and Poet. The Ancient Greek language is the historical stage in the development of the Hellenic language family spanning the Archaic (c It has been suggested that this name came from a Gaullish description meaning "people of the forms" referring to their practice of tattooing or painting their bodies using blue woad. Gaulish or Gallic is the name given to the Celtic language that was spoken in Gaul before the Vulgar Latin of the late Roman Empire became ^[36] By 50 BC Greek geographers were using equivalents of Prettanikē as a group name for the islands. ^[37][38] However, with the Roman conquest of Britain the Latin term Britannia was used for the island of Great Britain. This page refers to the conquest begun in AD 43 For other Roman invasions see Caesar's invasions of Britain and Carausian Revolt. Britannia was the term originally used by the Romans to refer first to the British Isles, and later to the island of Great Britain. ^[39][40] The name became associated with the Roman province of Britannia and as the Romans failed to establish control of the Scottish Highlands the frontier was effectively drawn at the Antonine Wall, then around AD 200 at Hadrian's Wall. Roman Britain refers to those parts of the island of Great Britain controlled by the Roman Empire between AD 43 and 410 The Scottish Highlands ( Scottish Gaelic: A' Ghàidhealtachd, Scots: Hielans) include the rugged and Mountainous The Antonine Wall is a stone and turf Fortification, built by the Romans across what is now the Central belt of Scotland Hadrian's Wall ( Latin: perhaps Vallum Aelium, "the Aelian wall" is a stone and turf Fortification built by the Roman The post-Roman period brought a series of invasions, and in medieval Britain control of territory by Britons became confined to Wales, Cornwall and northern England. Sub-Roman Britain is a term derived from an Archaeologists ' label for the material culture of Britain in Late Antiquity. Great Britain during the Middle Ages (from the 5th century withdrawal of Roman forces from the province of Britannia Cornwall ( Kernow ˈkɛɹnɔʊ is the most southwesterly county of England, on the Peninsula that lies to the west of the River Tamar Northern England, The North, The North of England or (less commonly The North Country refers to the parts of England north of an ill-defined line The term Britannia remained in use as the Latin name for the island, and Historia Britonum claimed legendary British origins as a prestigious genealogy for Welsh kings, followed by the Historia Regum Britanniae which popularised this pseudo-history to support the claims of the kings of England. The Historia Brittonum, or The History of the Britons, is a historical work that was first written sometime shortly after AD 833 and exists in several Genealogy (from Greek: el γενεά el-Latn genea, "descent" and el λόγος el-Latn logos, "knowledge" is the study of The Historia Regum Britanniae ( English: The History of the Kings of Britain) is a pseudohistorical account of British history England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland

The genetic record of the British people is still a matter for debate. It has been commonly supposed that today only the Welsh and the genetic descendants of the Cornish Britons remain in the same locations as their Dark Age and Medieval ancestors. The Cornish people (Kernowyon are regarded as an Ethnic group of the United Kingdom originating in Cornwall. This article is about the phrase "Dark Age(s" as a characterization of the Early Middle Ages in Western Europe However, recent research suggests that the majority of persons in all regions of Britain are the genetic descendants of settlers from the Iberian peninsula who arrived in Britain between 7500 and 15000 years ago. The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe, and includes modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra ^[41]

It is thought that ancient Iberia served as a refuge for palaeolithic humans during the last major glaciation when environments further north were too cold and dry for continuous habitation. When the climate warmed into the present interglacial, populations would have rapidly spread north along the west European coast. Genetically, in terms of Y-chromosomes and Mt-DNA, inhabitants of Britain and Ireland are closely related to the Basques,^[42][9] reflecting their common origin in this refugial area. Basques, along with Irish, show the highest frequency of the Y-chromosome DNA haplogroup R1b in Western Europe; some 95% of native Basque men have this haplogroup. In Human genetics, Haplogroup R1b is the most frequent Y-chromosome Haplogroup in Western Europe Western Europe at its most general meaning means 'all the countries in the West of Europe ' The rest is mainly I and a minimal presence of E3b. In Human genetics, Haplogroup I is a Y-chromosome DNA haplogroup, a subgroup of haplogroup IJ, itself a derivative of Haplogroup F. In Human genetics, Y Haplogroup E1b1b (E-M215 is a Y-chromosome Haplogroup, a sub-group of Haplogroup E, which is defined by ^[42] The Y-chromosome and MtDNA relationship between Basques and people of Ireland and Wales is of equal ratios than to neighbouring areas of Spain, where similar ethnically "Spanish" people now live in close proximity to the Basques, although this genetic relationship is also very strong among Basques and other Spaniards. The Y chromosome is the sex-determining Chromosome in most Mammals including Humans In mammals it contains the gene SRY, which triggers Mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA) is the DNA located in Organelles called mitochondria. In fact, as Stephen Oppenheimer has stated in The Origins of the British (2006), although Basques have been more isolated than other Iberians, they are a population representative of south western Europe. Stephen Oppenheimer (born 1947 a British physician a member of Green College Oxford and an honorary fellow of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, performs and As to the genetic relationship among Basques, Iberians and Britons, he also states (pages 375 and 378):

By far the majority of male gene types in the British Isles derive from Iberia (modern Spain and Portugal), ranging from a low of 59% in Fakenham, Norfolk to highs of 96% in Llangefni, north Wales and 93% Castlerea, Ireland. The Iberian Peninsula, or Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe, and includes modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. On average only 30% of gene types in England derive from north-west Europe. Even without dating the earlier waves of north-west European immigration, this invalidates the Anglo-Saxon wipeout theory. . . . . . 75-95% of British and Irish (genetic) matches derive from Iberia. . . Ireland, coastal Wales, and central and west-coast Scotland are almost entirely made up from Iberian founders, while the rest of the non-English parts of the Britain and Ireland have similarly high rates. England has rather lower rates of Iberian types with marked heterogeneity, but no English sample has less than 58% of Iberian samples. . .

Brian Sykes, in his book based on genetics Blood of the Isles (2006) comes to similar conclusions. Bryan Sykes is Professor of Human Genetics at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Wolfson College. Some quotations from the book follow. (Note that Sykes uses the terms "Celts" and "Picts" to designate the pre-Roman inhabitants of the Isles rather than as linguistic terms. )

British Identity

Development of the idea of "Britishness"

In mediaeval times, the term "British" was used to refer to the pre Anglo-Saxon inhabitants of the island, in particular the Welsh - that is, those we would now call "ancient" Britons - in contrast to the English. The Welsh people ( Welsh: Cymro ("Welshman" Cymraes ("Welsh woman" Cymry ("Welshmen/women" Cymry For example, references by Giraldus Cambrensis to the "British" refer to what were later called the Welsh. Gerald of Wales (c 1146 &ndash c 1223 also known as Gerallt Gymro in Welsh or Giraldus Cambrensis in Latin, ^[46]

British only became synonymous with a national civic identity with the formation in 1707 of the united Kingdom of Great Britain, which became the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and in turn, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with the secession of what became the Republic of Ireland. The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom from 1 January 1801 until 12 April 1927 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. Historian Linda Colley argues that following the 1707 Act of Union, it became common for the people of the Kingdom of Great Britain to have a "layered" identity, that is, to think of themselves as simultaneously British and also Scottish, English, and Welsh. Linda Colley (born 1949 is a British Historian, widely known for her 1992 study Britons Forging the Nation 1707&ndash1837, which explored the development The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 ^[47] She also elaborates that at time of its development, the notion of Britishness was "closely bound up with Protestantism". Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. ^[48] According to researcher Peter Borsay, the proliferation of neo-classical monuments at the end of the 18th century and start of the 19th, such as The Kymin at Monmouth, were attempts to solidify the concepts of "Great Britain" and "Britishness" at the time of the Act of Union with Ireland, war with France, and the expansion of the Empire through military and commercial might. The Kymin, or Kymin Hill, is a hill overlooking Monmouth, in Monmouthshire, Wales. This is about the Welsh town of Monmouth For other uses see Monmouth (disambiguation. The phrase Act of Union 1800 (or sometimes Act of Union 1801) (Acht an Aontais 1800 is used to describe two complementary Acts whose official United Kingdom titles are Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815 involved Napoleon's French Empire and a shifting set of European allies and opposing coalitions This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. He wrote^[49]:

"Britishness" today

Main article: Britishness

"Britishness" today is sometimes used as a political concept seeking to develop or more often to define what it is to be British. Britishness is a term referring to a sense of national identity of the British people, and common Culture of the United Kingdom. The term is often associated with the British unionist tradition however the term Unionist is often associated with Northern Ireland and so Britishness is more often used. Unionism in Ireland, is a belief in the desirability of a full constitutional and institutional relationship between Ireland and Great Britain based on the terms and Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of It can be seen however that Britishness evokes a range of responses and attitudes that make an exact definition elusive. ^[50]

Most recently this concept has been used by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to initiate debate on British identity. This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. WikipediaManual of Style (biographies#Academic titles --> James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951 is ^[51] Brown's speech to the Fabian Society's Britishness Conference proposed that British values demand a new constitutional settlement and symbols to represent a modern patriotism, including a new youth community service scheme and a British Day to celebrate. The Fabian Society is a British Intellectual Socialist movement whose purpose is to advance the principles of Social democracy via Gradualist ^[52] He suggested that one focus could be in terms of celebrating the best of the United Kingdom stressing the view that what unites the United Kingdom is stronger than the issues dividing it, such as support in Scotland for Scottish independence, international football loyalties, or growing signs of English revolt against distribution of funds to the Scottish Parliament. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Scottish Parliament ( Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: Scottish Pairlament) is the devlolved national unicameral One of the central issues identified at the Fabian Society conference was how the English identity fits within the framework of a devolved United Kingdom. Devolution is the statutory granting of powers from the central government of a State to government at subnational level Does England require a new constitutional settlement for instance?^[53]

A tangible expression of the Government's initiative to promote Britishness was the inaugural Veterans' Day which was first held on 27 June 2006. Veterans Day is an American holiday honoring military Veterans. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. As well as celebrating the achievements of armed forces veterans, Browns' speech at the first event for the celebration said: "Scots and people from the rest of the UK share the purpose – that Britain has something to say to the rest of the world about the values of freedom, democracy and the dignity of the people that you stand up for. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located So at a time when people can talk about football and devolution and money, it is important that we also remember the values that we share in common". ^[54]

Demographics

The UK is an ethnically diverse country with people from various stock. For most of the last millennium, the lands now constituting the United Kingdom were largely inhabited by indigenous peoples with small to medium-scale migration from Europe occurring between the 16th and 20th Century. In 1066, the Normans successfully took control of England and, in subsequent years, there was some migration from France. The Normans were the people who gave their names to Normandy, a region in northern France. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. In the 19th century, immigration by people outside Europe began on a small scale as people arrived from the British colonies. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. This increased during the 20th century. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on Since World War II, however, substantial immigration from the New Commonwealth and European countries has considerably altered the demographic make-up of many cities in Britain. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The majority of Britons are White (92%) with the remainder from various ethnic groups, mainly Black/Afro-Caribbean, Mixed Race and Asian People. " White British " was a racially -based classification used by the 2001 census. See also British African-Caribbean community, Caribbean British Black British is a term which has had different meanings and uses as a racial and political Mixed Race was included as an ethnic classification on the UK Census from 2001. British Asians are British citizens who are immigrants or descendants of immigrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

Historically, British was expounded as a meta-identity for all of the residents of Britain. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands However, the number of people in Great Britain identifying themselves as British has been declining in recent times. For example, the percentage identifying as British fell in England from 63% in 1991-2 to 48% in 2003, in Scotland from 31% in 1974 to 20% in 2003, and in Wales from 34% in 1978-9 to 27% in 2003. The percentage describing themselves equally as both British and in terms of their national origin has also fallen. ^[56]

The 2001 UK General Household Survey (GHS) contained an element measuring the number of people describing themselves as British. ^[57] The incidence of those willing to call themselves British in any sense is highest in England, but nowhere commands a majority. Interestingly, it does command a majority of non-White respondents (57%), compared to 45% White respondents. Furthermore, 51% of non-White respondents consider themselves British-only, whereas only 29% of White respondents describe themselves so. ^[58]

Starting in the 2001 census, White Irish and White British were recognised as distinct ethnic groups in Great Britain. This distinction is avoided in the census of Northern Ireland, where White Irish and White British are combined into a single "White" ethnic group on the census forms. Naturally, numbers of those describing themselves as British in Northern Ireland are divided dramatically across community lines (approximate to religious differences between Catholic and Protestant). General demographics Population 1685267 The population of Northern Ireland has increased annually since 1978 An Institute of Governance briefing in 2006^[61] described the division between the communities so:

The 2001 UK census measured the numbers of Protestant in Northern Ireland to be 53% and Catholic to be 44%.

The Northern Ireland Life & Times Survey samples attitudes to nationality and ethnicity every year. The results of the 2006 survey suggest that 90% of Protestants in Northern Ireland regard themselves as British and 15% of Roman Catholics regard themselves as such; 71% of Catholics regard themselves as Irish and 3% of Protestants regard themselves as this; 6% of Protestants and 8% of Catholics regard themselves as both British and Irish. The total of people who regard themselves as British in Northern Ireland was 56%; as Irish 33% and as both British and Irish was 8%. ^[60]

In 2006 however, the Life & Times survey omitted the categories Northern Irish, Ulster and Don't know from the question. The category for Northern Irish had attracted 21% in 2004 (25% of Catholics and 17% of Protestants). ^[62]

Of those claiming to not be of any particular religion, 60% regarded themselves as British; 23% as Irish; and 12% as both. ^[60]

Sensitivity around use of term

Main article: British Isles (terminology)

Whether someone refers to their nationality as English, Northern Irish, Scottish, Welsh, it does not necessarily mean that they do not also consider themselves British. The various terms used to describe the different (and sometimes overlapping geographical and political areas of the Islands of Great Britain Ireland and surrounding islands are often England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. ^[56] For example, a person may consider himself British or Welsh, or equally British and Welsh, or mostly one or the other. However, even when given the widest common choice of options, some people still prefer to identify themselves as exclusively English (17%), Scottish (31%), Welsh (21%),^[56] or Northern Irish (21%),^[62] referring to aspects of their own culture and history which distinguish the nations of the United Kingdom from each other. ^[63] These figures can be compared to those who identity themselves as exclusively British, England (10%), Scotland (4%), and Wales (9%). ^[56]

The use of the term is sensitive in some areas, particularly in Northern Ireland,^[64] and can vary in exact meaning depending on context and the author's personal prejudices. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of

The term British is also used by naturalised immigrants and their descendants. By a slight margin it is the preferred term of non-White residents of the United Kingdom. ^[65] Thus Black British is common usage, particularly in England, though less so in Scotland where such groups can be, for example, Pakistani Scots. See also British African-Caribbean community, Caribbean British Black British is a term which has had different meanings and uses as a racial and political ^[66]

Since partition of the island in 1922, British identity has become a source of division in Northern Ireland.

At partition, Unionists in what was to become Northern Ireland, identified as Ulstermen or -women and the contentious term, British Isles, was avoided by Unionist historians as much as it was by Nationalist ones. ^[67][68]

Since the Troubles, there has been a doubling of those identifying as British within the Protestant community in Northern Ireland (rising to nearly 70%), while Ulster and Irish identity has collapsed among that group. There has been a 75% drop among Catholics of those identifying as British (from 20% down to 6%) in the same period, where Irish is the predominant identity (approximately 60%). ^[69] High rates of intermarriage between nationalists and unionists following independence is attributed as the disappearance of British Unionist and Anglo-Irish identities in the Republic of Ireland, where the political implications of intermarriage are perceived as unimportant. In Northern Ireland, in contrast, with high degrees of housing, educational, political and community segregation, only 5% of marriages cross community divides. ^[70] The people of Northern Ireland are British citizens, and individuals may choose to assert Irish citizenship also, if they so choose.

In Ireland

National Identity in Northern Ireland
Identity in Northern Ireland since 1968. Protestant identity is shown on the left. Catholic identity is shown on the right.      British     Irish     Ulster

British identity has long been problematic in Ireland. ^[71] Prior to the union with the Great Britain, British identity was never applied to Irish people. ^[72] From an Irish perspective, regardless of religion or political persuasion, this status quo continued during the period when the whole island formed part of the United Kingdom,^[73] although a greater number of people on Great Britain began to describe Irish people as British during the same period. ^[74] Since partition of the island in 1922, British identity has become a source of division in Northern Ireland. ^[75] In the Republic of Ireland, British identity is never asserted and will almost certainly cause offence. ^[76] A pejorative^[77] term, West Briton, has been in use since the 19th century, though not originally intended pejoratively, and was used by nationalist leader Daniel O'Connell British House of Commons in 1832:

Before the 20th century, and the partition of the country, the aristocratic class identified themselves as Anglo-Irish rather than British. At partition, Unionists in what was to become Northern Ireland, identified as Ulstermen or -women and the contentious term, British Isles, was avoided by Unionist historians as much as it was by Nationalist ones. ^[78][79]

Since the Troubles, there has been a doubling of those identifying as British within the Protestant community in Northern Ireland (rising to nearly 70%), while Ulster and Irish identity has collapsed among that group. There has been a 75% drop among Catholics of those identifying as British (from 20% down to 6%) in the same period, where Irish is the predominant identity (approximately 60%). ^[80] High rates of intermarriage between nationalists and unionists following independence is attributed as the disappearance of British Unionist and Anglo-Irish identities in the Republic of Ireland, where the political implications of intermarriage are perceived as unimportant. In Northern Ireland, in contrast, with high degrees of housing, educational, political and community segregation, only 5% of marriages cross community divides. ^[81] The people of Northern Ireland are jointly British and Irish citizens, and individuals may choose to assert either or both as they choose fit.

In the British overseas territories

The people of the British overseas territories are British by citizenship, via origins or naturalization. The British Overseas Territories are fourteen territories that are under the Sovereignty of the United Kingdom, but which do not form part of the United Kingdom Naturalization is the acquisition of Citizenship or Nationality by somebody who was not a citizen or national of that country when he or she was born Along with aspects of common British identity, each of them has their own distinct identity shaped in the respective particular circumstances of political, economic, ethnic, social and cultural history. For instance, in the case of the Falkland Islanders that is explained by Lewis Clifton, Speaker of the Falklands Legislative Council as follows:

In the Commonwealth

Canada

In the 2006 Canadian census^[83], the provided statistics allow for more than one response, so that a person could record their ancestry as being both Scottish and Welsh.

Ancestry as reported in 2006 Canadian census

Ethnic Origins	Total	Single Response	Multiple Response	Percentage
Total Population	31,241,030	18,319,580	12,921,445
English	6,570,015	1,367,125	5,202,890	21%
Scottish	4,719,850	568,515	4,151,340	15%
Welsh	440,965	27,115	413,855	1. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. 5%
Cornish	1,550	65	1,485	< 0. Cornwall ( Kernow ˈkɛɹnɔʊ is the most southwesterly county of England, on the Peninsula that lies to the west of the River Tamar 1%

Australia

In the 2006 Australian census^[84], the provided statistics allow for more than one response, so that a person could record their ancestry as being both Scottish and Welsh.

Ancestry as reported in 2006 Australian census

Ancestry	Total	Percentage
Total Population	19,855,288
English	6,283,647	31. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland 65%
Scottish	1,501,204	7. Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. 5%
Welsh	113,242	0. 5%
British	5,656	< 0. The term British Islands is used in the law of the United Kingdom to refer collectively to the following four states the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern 1%

New Zealand

See also: New Zealand European

A significant number of New Zealanders are of British ancestry. The term New Zealand European refers to New Zealand residents of European descent who identify as New Zealand Europeans rather than some more specific European ^[85] As late as the 1950s, it was common for British New Zealanders to refer to themselves as simply British, such as when Prime Minister Keith Holyoake described Sir Edmund Hillary's successful ascent of Mt. Everest as "[putting] the British race and New Zealand on top of the world". Sir Keith Jacka Holyoake, KG, GCMG, CH, QSO, KStJ ( 11 February 1904 - 8 December 1983 Sir Edmund Percival Hillary, KG, ONZ, KBE (20 July 1919 &ndash 11 January 2008 was a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer Mount Everest, also called Sagarmatha (सगरमाथा meaning Head of the Sky) or Chomolungma, Qomolangma or Zhumulangma (in ^[86] New Zealand passports described nationals as "British Subject and New Zealand Citizen" until 1974, when this was changed to "New Zealand Citizen". ^[87]

While "European" identity predominates political discourse in New Zealand today, the term "British" is still used by some to explain aspects of the country's overall cultural affiliation. Others see the term as better describing previous generations; for instance, journalist Colin James referred to "we ex-British New Zealanders" in a 2005 speech. Colin James is a New Zealand political Journalist and commentator ^[88] It remains a relatively uncontroversial descriptor of ancestry.

In an interview with the New Zealand Listener in 2006, the opposition leader of that time Don Brash made the following statement;

British immigrants fit in here very well. The New Zealand Listener is a New Zealand Magazine, published by APN Holdings (also publisher of The New Zealand Herald Dr Donald Thomas Brash (born 24 September 1940) a former New Zealand politician served as the Leader of the Opposition and parliamentary leader My own ancestry is all British. New Zealand values are British values, derived from centuries of struggle since Magna Carta. Those things make New Zealand the society it is. ^[89]

Geographic distribution

Further information: British American, English Canadian, Anglo-Celtic Australian, New Zealand European, and Anglo-African

United States

English American, Scottish American, Scots-Irish American, Welsh American
Dark red and brown colours indicate a higher density. English Canada|Canadians of English descentAn English Canadian is a Canadian whose principal language is English or who is of English ancestry; it is used Anglo-Celtic Australian is an Ethnic or cultural category used to describe Australians with British and/or Irish ancestral origins The term New Zealand European refers to New Zealand residents of European descent who identify as New Zealand Europeans rather than some more specific European Anglo-Africans are people of primarily Sub-Saharan Africa whose first language is English. English Americans (occasionally known as Anglo -Americans although this may have a wider cultural meaning are Citizens of the United States whose ancestry Scottish Americans or Scots Americans are Citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates in Scotland. Scotch-Irish (the historically common term in North America) or Scots-Irish refers to inhabitants of the United States and by some of Canada In the 2000 Census 175 million Americans reported Welsh ancestry, 0 (see also Maps of American ancestries). The ancestry of the people of the United States is widely varied and includes descendants of Populations from around the World, some presumably extinct

Many British Americans have ancestry in America that dates back to colonial times in the 17th and 18th centuries. Those who went to New England are known as Yankees. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. With their roots being in America for such a long period, many British Americans have begun to think of themselves ancestrally simply as "Americans. " This is especially true in the South.

British emigrant and ethnic descent communities are found across the world, and in some places, settled in significant numbers. Countries with significant numbers of people of English, Scottish, Ulster (Scots-Irish) and Welsh ancestry or ethnic origin include the United States (particularly Utah, New England, New York, California, Virginia, West Virginia, and the Southern States), Australia, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand. An ancestor is a Parent or ( recursively) the parent of an ancestor (i The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The State of Utah (ˈjuːtɔː or) is a western state of the United States. History See also History of New England New England's earliest inhabitants were Algonquian -speaking Native Americans including the New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state West Virginia ( is a state in the Appalachian Upland South, and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, bordered by The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island

See also

• Alternative words for British
• British Isles (terminology)
• British nationality law
• British subject
• Demographics of the United Kingdom
• Immigration to the United Kingdom
• Ethnic groups of the United Kingdom
• List of British people
• List of Black Britons
• Genetic history of Europe

References