Who Were the Ancestors of Most People Living In North America Today and Where Did They Come From?

Most people in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central America are descended from Europeans.

Spain had colonies in Mexico, Cuba, and Central America, so most of the people there can claim Spanish ancestors.

The United States was colonized by Great Britain, but in the 1800s and 1900s, people from many countries in Europe, Asia, and Central America immigrated to the United States as well.

Today, only about one out of every three U.S. citizens is of British descent.

Canada was colonized by both Great Britain and France, but it has received immigrants from many other European and Asian countries during the past century.

Today, about one-fourth of all Canadians have British ancestors, and one-fourth are of French descent.