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

Many have a searching, mystical quality, informed by her mixed African American, Irish, and Choctaw ancestry and her trips to Africa and Haiti. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 18 Aug. 2026

Though Hoon Lee, who previously starred on Broadway and in the Cinemax show Banshee, immediately stood out, Kazan was hesitant to cast him because of his Korean ancestry. — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026

Okada also has Japanese ancestry but none of that is the issue. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Hough also said some of his ancestry can be traced to those who fought in the American Revolution. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 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