If your last name origin is French or Italian for example, is that your heritage?

Because my last name is Smith and it's English and also my grandfathers last name is Martin and it's French, German, and English, and also my grandmother's maiden last name was Kyles and its Scottish.So does that mean that I am all these things? Thanx!

If your last name origin is French or Italian for example, is that your heritage?
Not necessarily. People have become so watered down culturally over the years through intermarriage in different cultures. Plus, people would change their names if they went somewhere different and names change over the years. So no, just because those are their last names, doesn't necessarily mean that's is their ethnic heritage.
Reply:Not necessarily. For example, I have heard that there are a lot of Negroes living in France with French surnames. When they were servants to the wealth French, they took the surnames of their masters.
Reply:Your last name is an indication of your heritage but by no means is it an absolute link. Slaves, servants, migrants readily assumed the names of local people and their employers. Also, if you live in the USA, many immigration officials "changed" the names of immigrants for reasons ranging from simplicity to stupidity.





I think it is cool to have names from many heritages in your background.
Reply:At least a part of your heritage. I know of ancestors from several European countries, so when asked about my heritage, I can say European or one of those coumtries in Europe.
Reply:It's very likely, but necessarily. Your grandfather's family could have changed their name to Smith (for instance it was very common for immigrants - especially from eastern european countries - to have their name shortened or americanized when arriving in the US in the early 19th century).
Reply:NO, YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE AND BE PROUD OF IT. MY MOTHER IS SCOTTISH AND MY DAD IS GERMAN. BUT I AM 100% AMERICAN AND PROUD OF IT!
Reply:You are a mut. Be proud of it!
Reply:YES IT IS YOUR HERITAGE AND BE PROUD OF IT MINE IS AUSTRALIAN AND ENGLISH AND I AM VERY PROUD OF MINE


BESIDES OF YOUR FOREFATHERS OR MOTHERS DIDNT COME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY YOU MAY NOT BE HERE FIND OUT YOUR ANCESTRAL HYSTORY ITS FUN
Reply:i dunno.
Reply:Yes that is your heritage because your natives gave u that last name!
Reply:More than likely-- it does. However, the only way to be sure is to research your family %26amp; find out where they actually originated.