Johnny Depp is an amazing actor who is famous for his roles in different movies including “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Edward Scissorhands.” But have you ever wondered about his ethnicity and where his ancestors come from? If you want to know what ethnicity is Johnny Depp, then you have come to the right place.
Johnny Depp’s ethnicity is mostly English. However, he also has some German, French, and Irish ancestry. The last name of Johnny Depp originates from a French Huguenot immigrant named Pierre Dieppe. Pierre Dieppe came to Virginia around 1700.
Now, let’s start exploring the different heritage that makes up Johnny Depp’s ethnicity.
What Ethnicity is Johnny Depp? – Family Roots and Ancestry
The family roots of Johnny Depp have a strong connection to Kentucky. On his father’s side, he has the Depp family. The Depp Family came from a French Huguenot immigrant in 1714. On the other hand, his mother’s side, the Wells family is also from Kentucky.
There is no solid proof to back up Johnny Depp’s claim that he might have Native American ancestry, despite his comments to this effect. He has some German, French, and Irish ancestry, but his main ethnicity is English.
English Descent – The Foundation of His Roots
The main ethnicity of Johnny Depp is English. It shows that he has historical and cultural connections to England, where his ancestors originated. Because of his English ancestry, Johnny Depp has a link to both the Royal Family and the country of Shakespeare.
German Ancestry – A Dash of Teutonic Culture
Apart from being of English descent, Johnny Depp also has German ancestry. Germany has a long cultural history. They have made major contributions to the arts, music, and literature. The German ancestry of Johnny Depp adds a new dimension to his family’s history.
French Roots – Tracing Back to Pierre Dieppe
In addition to English and German ancestry, Johnny Depp’s ethnic background also includes French roots. A French Huguenot immigrant called Pierre Dieppe who arrived in Virginia in the year 1700 is where the surname “Depp” comes from.
The Protestant Christians known as the Huguenots became targets for their religion in France. Following that, many of them fled to other countries, such as the United States.
Irish Heritage – Embracing the Luck of the Irish
Johnny Depp’s ethnicity is additionally enhanced by Irish ancestry. Irish people are famous for their generous hospitality and colorful lifestyle. Johnny Depp has connections to an island nation known for its legends, myths, and beautiful landscapes thanks to his ancestry in Ireland.
Johnny Depp’s Paternal Heritage
Huguenots who left France in 1714 and landed in Virginia are Johnny Depp’s fatherly ancestors. Peter Depp ended up in Kentucky and met Mary Courts, who was also one of his ancestors. They resided in Barren County and had a family of eight children.
Nettie was also one famous descendant. She is the first female elected official in Barren County. John was a civil engineer. He is described as a good man. However, John left his family in 1978.
The family tree of Johnny Depp’s paternal line is the following:
| Generation | Name | Spouse | Marriage Year | Children | Spouse |
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| 1st | Peter Depp (1795-1865) |
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| 2nd | Walter Depp (1819-1863) | Marcella Burks (1822-1902) | 1841 |
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| 3rd | John Burks Depp | Mariba Reneau (1846-1928) | ~1866 |
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| 4th | Oren Richard Depp (1879-1912) | Effie Palmore (1880-1962) | 1904 |
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| 5th | Oren Larrimore Depp (1905-1970) | Violet Grinstead (1907-2000) | 1930 |
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| 6th | John (Jack) Depp (1938-2020) | Betty Sue Wells (1935-2016) | 1960-1978 |
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Johnny Depp’s Maternal Heritage
The mother of Johnny Depp is Betty Sue Well. She has strong emotions, both positive and negative. Johnny noticed that she can be violent and abusive at home because of the difficult childhood she experienced in an Appalachian shack with no proper direction.
Johnny kept a close relationship with his mother regardless of her shortcomings. He even takes her to movie premieres. Betty Sue Well, Johnny Depp’s mother passed away in 2016. The Revolutionary War hero Richard Wells of Philadelphia is the ancestor of the Wells family. He settled in Floyd County, Kentucky, with his large family in 1825.
Richard has a long history in the Big Sandy Valley of northeastern Kentucky. Betty Sue’s ancestors originated from Richard’s third son, Simon. Simon’s line included Commodore Perry Wells, a railway worker, and later Richard and Walter, both mine workers. Betty Sue Wells is also related to country music star Loretta Lynn through another branch of the family that married into the coal-mining Webbs of Johnson County.
The family tree of Johnny Depp’s maternal line is the following:
| Generation | Name | Birth-Death | Spouse | Marriage Year | Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Richard Wells | (1760-1838) | Susannah Hutchinson | 1797 | George, Moses, Elizabeth, Simon, Rosanna, John, Nancy, William, Agnes, Mary |
| 2nd | Simon Wells | (1810-1884) | Mary Porter | 1833 | Andrew, Martha, Commodore Perry, Mary Ann |
| 3rd | Commodore Perry Wells | (1849-1909) | Rebecca Litteral | 1873 | Edward, Richard, John, Charles, Ollie, William, Oliver |
| 4th | Richard Mack Wells | Annie Cooper | 1904 | Walter, Grace, John | |
| 5th | Walter Wells | (1905-1970) | Bessie Whitaker | N/A | Jacqueline, Bill, Betty Sue, Peggy |
| 6th | Betty Sue Wells | (1935-2016) | John Dale
Johnny Depp Bob Palmer |
1953
1960-1978 N/A |
Danny (adopted), Debbie (adopted) |
| 7th | Elisa Depp | 1960) | Daniel Dembrowski | N/A | N/A |
| 7th | Johnny Depp | (1963) | Vanessa Paradis
Amber Heard |
N/A
2015 |
Two children with Vanessa Paradis |
Frequently Asked Question
Q: Is Johnny Depp related to Elizabeth Key?
Johnny Depp comes from a family that includes Chief Kanagatucko, who was a Cherokee leader and known as “Old Hop” or “Stalking Turkey” due to the way he moves because of his age. Researchers also discovered that Depp’s eighth great-grandmother, Elizabeth Key Grinstead, was the first slave in the American colonies to go to court to gain her freedom. Elizabeth succeeded in winning her case.
Q: Does Johnny Depp have a black heritage?
Johnny Depp is related to Elizabeth Key Grinstead. She was among the first African American women in the North American colonies to go to court and gain her freedom. In 2002 and 2011, Johnny Depp also mentions in his interviews that he believes he has some Native American ancestors in his family lineage.
Q: Why are Johnny Depp’s teeth stained?
Dr. Apa provided details on why Depp’s teeth are in this particular condition. She said it could be a result of his love for cigarillos and espresso. She also added that the teeth may have gone years without being cleaned, which was a different prediction she made.
Conclusion
Talking about what ethnicity is Johnny Depp; his origin is a beautiful blend of different heritages. The foundation lies in English descent. However, the German, French, and Irish ancestry adds diversity and depth to his family background.
This mix of cultures and histories undoubtedly shaped Johnny Depp’s life and work. This background makes him an amazing and talented person with a rich tapestry of history. Knowing our ethnic heritage can take us on an exciting journey through time and make us more aware of how broad the world is today. We should all be proud of and cherished for our unique blend of pasts.
That’s all for what ethnicity is Johnny Depp!
