Melungeon (/ m ə ˈ l ʌ n dʒ ən / mə-LUN-jən) (sometimes also spelled Malungean, Melangean, Melungean, Melungin [3]) was a slur [4] historically applied to individuals and families of mixed-race ancestry with roots in colonial Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina primarily descended from free people of color and white settlers.

Mar 8, 2021 · The latest DNA study limited participants to those whose families were called Melungeon in the historical records of the 1800s and early 1900s in and around Tennessee’s Hawkins and Hancock Counties, on the Virginia border some 200 miles northeast of Nashville.

Sometimes called the “Lost Tribe of Appalachia,” the Melungeons are people of mixed ethnicity who claim varying degrees of Portuguese, Turkish, Moorish, Arabic, Jewish, American Indian and African descent.

Sep 20, 2024 · DNA testing has revealed the complexity of Melungeon ancestry, confirming a mixture of European, African, and Native American bloodlines. For many descendants of Melungeons, this discovery has sparked a new sense of identity and pride in their heritage.

Jan 25, 2024 · Goins’ research uses genealogical records and DNA testing to trace Melungeon ancestry. By studying family migration patterns from colonial-era Virginia through the Carolinas before settling in Appalachia, Goins greatly expanded scholarship on the group and its origins.

Feb 3, 2025 · The Melungeons are a mixed-race people whose origin is associated with the general region of Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky in the United States; particularly concentrated in the areas of Eastern Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and Northwest North Carolina.

Many myths have sprung up about the origins of this group of people including claims that the Melungeons are descendants of lost Spanish colonists, marooned Portuguese sailors, descendants of the ancient Israelites or Phoenicians, Romani slaves, or Turkish settlers.

One prevalent folk tale suggests that the Melungeons are descendants of a lost tribe or group of European explorers; others claim connections with ancient civilizations. These tales often blend historical accounts with myth and legend, creating a tapestry of narratives that reflect the complex heritage of the Melungeons. Melungeon Mashup

Sep 12, 2011 · Our names are well known among the Melungeon communities of SE Kentucky and Campbell County TN. My earliest Melungeon ancestors was Thomas Gibson and Elizabeth (Chavez) Gibson. The other Melungeon surnames that I descend from are Collins, Osborne, Bennett, Powers, Hatfield, and Hurst.

Dec 3, 2020 · Melungeons are solidly distinct and highly diversified at the same time. Their most striking features are elevated Jewish, Middle Eastern, Native American, Sub-Saharan African and Iberian ancestry. All but two of the Melungeons in the study have a match with a Sephardic Jewish population as defined by the forensic team of Antonia Picornell.