David Tennant
Tennant in 2014, photo by kathclick/bigstock.com
Birth Name: David John McDonald
Place of Birth: Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland
Date of Birth: 18 April, 1971
Ethnicity: Scottish, Northern Irish
David Tennant is a Scottish actor. He has played Doctor Who, as well starring on television’s Casanova, Broadchurch, Staged, and Good Omens, and in the film Bad Samaritan.
He is the son of Essedale Helen (McLeod) and The Very Rev. Dr. Alexander “Sandy” McDonald, a Church of Scotland minister. David is of Scottish ancestry. Also, his maternal grandmother was from a Protestant family from Northern Ireland [Ulster-Scots].
David is married to English actress Georgia Tennant (originally Georgia Moffett), with whom he has five children, including actor Ty Tennant. Georgia is the daughter of actor Peter Davison (born Peter Malcolm Gordon Moffett), who also played Doctor Who.
He has said that his stage name is after singer Neil Tennant.
David’s paternal grandfather was Alexander M. McDonald (the son of Alexander McDonald and Catherine McCutcheon). David’s grandfather Alexander was born in Glasgow. David’s great-grandfather Alexander was the son of John McDonald and Ann Kay. Catherine was the daughter of James McCutcheon and Sarah McAslan.
David’s paternal grandmother was named Jessie Helen Low (the daughter of Margaret Low). Jessie was born in Blairgowrie, Perthshire. Margaret was the daughter of Robert Taylor Low and Helen Robertson Wardlaw.
David’s maternal grandfather was Archibald M. “Archie” McLeod, a footballer (the son of John McLeod). Archibald was born in Glasgow, and had roots on the Isle of Mull. John was the son of Donald McLeod.
David’s maternal grandmother was named Nellie Blair (the daughter of William Blair and Agnes). Nellie was born in Londonderry. William was the son of James Blair. William and Agnes, who were from County Londonderry, were among the signatories of the Ulster Covenant in 1912.
Sources: Information about David’s appearance on Who Do You Think You Are?, 2006 – http://www.bbc.co.uk
Genealogy of David Tennant – http://www.geni.com
Genealogies of David’s paternal grandparents, Alexander M. McDonald and Jessie Helen Low – http://www.gritquoy.com
German actress Leonie Benesch appears with him in Masterpiece Theater’s “Around the World in 80 Days.” According to this she is of French and Transylvanian descent. If that could be proven, that would be interesting.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonie_Benesch#:~:text=Benesch%20grew%20up%20in%20T%C3%BCbingen,of%20French%20and%20Transylvanian%20descent.
“Personal life Edit
Benesch grew up in Tübingen,[5] and attended the Freie Waldorfschule.[6] She also attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. She is of French and Transylvanian descent.”
she says it here: https://squaremile.com/style/leonie-benesch-interview/
he is said to be a half second cousin, once removed, of Ethnicelebs columnist Neil Tennant.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/whodoyouthinkyouare/past-stories/david-tennant.shtml