Walt Disney
Disney in 1954, NASA GRIN: GPN-2000-000060, Author NASA
Birth Name: Walter Elias Disney
Date of Birth: December 5, 1901
Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Date of Death: December 15, 1966
Place of Death: Burbank, California, U.S.
Ethnicity:
*father – Irish, as well as some English
*mother – English, German, remote Scottish
Walt Disney was an American entrepreneur, animator, actor, and film producer.
He was the son of Flora (Call) and Elias Charles Disney. His father was born in Bluevale, Huron, Ontario, Canada, to Irish parents. His mother was born in Steuben, Huron, Ohio, to an American father and a German mother.
Walt was married to ink artist Lillian (Bounds) Disney, with whom he had two children.
Walt’s paternal grandfather was Kepple Elias Disney (the son of Arundel Elias Disney and Maria Swan). Kepple was born in Clone, County Kilkenny, Ireland. Arundel was the son of Kepple Disney, whose paternal grandparents were born in Sudbury, Suffolk, England, and of Frances Best.
Walt’s paternal grandmother was Mary J. Richardson (the daughter of Robert Richardson and Ruth/Rose Lark). Mary J. was born in Ireland, likely in Aghaboe, County Laois. Ruth was the daughter of Robert Lark and Grace.
Walt’s maternal grandfather was Charles Call (the son of Eber Call and Violette/Violet Lawrence). Charles was born in New York, to parents from Colrain, Franklin, Massachusetts, and had English ancestry. Eber was the son of John Call, Jr. and Fanny Johnson. Violette was the daughter of Daniel Lawrence and Violette Dean.
Walt’s maternal grandmother was Henrietta Gross (the daughter of Johann/John Georg/George Gross and Maria Catharina/Catherine Schmidt/Smith). Henrietta was German, born in Miehlen, Rhineland-Palatinate. Johann was the son of Johann Georg Gross and Catharina/Katherine Maria Schmidt. Walt’s great-grandmother Maria Catharina was the daughter of Johann Heinrich Schmidt and Marie Juliane Pfeifer.
Sources: Genealogies of Walt Disney – http://www.geni.com
http://www.wikitree.com
http://famouskin.com
http://www.findagrave.com
Obviously he had family from Ireland, but all his ancestors from there seem to have British names, so did they emigrate to Ireland from Britain originally?
He does have English ancestry on his father’s side through some lines, but I think you’re putting too much weight on the surnames of people from the British Isles. Isn’t it possible that the names can have multiple origins? Especially in Ireland, a lot of names have been changed throughout the years.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=284
http://www.wikitree.com/genealogy/Disney-Family-Tree-1
The surname Disney originates in Suffolk, England, so Walt’s father also had English ancestry. His mother also had remote Scottish ancestry.
“Disney is derived from the Normandy French name D’Isigny and it is believed the family is descended from Normans who came to Ireland in 1691. ”
http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/irish-genealogical-site-unearths-walt-disneys-irish-roots-137271213-237790731
The last name of his Grandmother on his Mother’s side was “Gross,” so she may have been Jewish.
Disney’s grandmother wasn’t Jewish.
A Nazi? Based on what? A few moments in cartoons that look racist to the PC brigade now?