Hayley Atwell

Hayley Atwell

Atwell in 2011, image via kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Hayley Elizabeth Atwell

Place of Birth: Hammersmith, London, England, U.K.

Date of Birth: 5 April, 1982

Ethnicity: English, Irish, some German and Scottish, possibly other

Hayley Atwell is a British and American actress. She is known for her roles in the films Brideshead Revisited and Captain America: The First Avenger, and the series The Pillars of the Earth and Agent Carter.

Hayley was born in London, the only child of Allison and Grant Atwell. Her father is American, from Missouri. Her mother is English. She is a citizen of the U.K. and the U.S.

Her mother also has Irish ancestry. Hayley’s father has English, Irish, German, and Scottish ancestry. He is also said to be of part Native American descent. His Native American name is Star Touches Earth, and he is a shaman. It is not clear if this Native American ancestry has been verified/documented. Hayley’s paternal grandparents and great-grandparents are all listed as “White” on U.S. Censuses. A picture of Hayley’s father can be seen here.

Hayley’s paternal grandfather was William O’Harra/O’Hara Atwell (the son of Stanley Wesley Atwell and Beulah Emety O’Harra). William was born in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Stanley was the son of Oliver Rufus Atwell and Emma Etta McMurray. Beulah was the daughter of J./I. Marion O’Harra and Adell/Adella/Adele Annette “Della” Ingalsbe.

Hayley’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth Anna Reeder (the daughter of Jesse/Jessie Bright Reeder and Ruth Anna Phifer). Hayley’s grandmother Elizabeth was born in Missouri, U.S. Jesse was the son of Samuel Benjamin Ward Reeder and Harriet A. “Hattie”/”Mattie” Bright. Ruth was the daughter of Prindle Eleazer Phifer and Elizabeth Jackson, who was born in England.

Hayley’s maternal grandfather is William D. Cain (the son of Arthur P. Cain and Florence Dawson). William was born in Preston, Lancashire, England.

Hayley’s maternal grandmother is named Noreen M. Cowley.

Sources: Hayley’s paternal grandfather, William O’Harra/O’Hara Atwell, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Hayley’s paternal great-grandfather, Stanley Wesley Atwell, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Stanley Wesley Atwell on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Hayley’s paternal great-grandmother, Beulah Emety O’Harra, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Hayley’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Anna Reeder, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Hayley’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Anna (Reeder) Atwell – http://dwfloralhills.tributes.com

Hayley’s paternal great-grandfather, Jesse/Jessie Bright Reeder, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Hayley’s paternal great-grandmother, Ruth Anna Phifer, on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Hayley Atwell (focusing on her mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

12 Responses

  1. Jonas says:

    Yes, she looks a bit Native, but she’s does look heavily white, especially british. My best guess is: 88% euro and 12% native.

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