ancestry

noun

an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌse-strē 

1

: line of descent : lineage

especially : honorable, noble, or aristocratic descent

2

: persons initiating or comprising a line of descent : ancestors

Synonyms of ancestry

• lineage
• genealogy
• origin
• pedigree
• descent
• family
• breeding

Examples of ancestry in a Sentence

They claim to be of noble ancestry.

a person of unknown ancestry

She claims to be able to trace her ancestry all the way back to the earliest settlers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Three years later, Harvard is still giving another group a preference based on ancestry. — Jayson Weingarten, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

Theroux’s Canadian odyssey begins on a personal note, with a history of his French Canadian ancestry. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2026

Although some Hemings descendants have been fighting for recognition for decades, others learned of their ancestry from Kurin’s study. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2026

Charland said people can trace their ancestry to the Hales as well as people with an interest in the Hale family genealogy are invited to revisit the family homestead. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ancestry

noun

an·​ces·​try ˈan-ˌses-trē 

1

: line of descent

2

: one's ancestors