Big Data, Deep Roots
Correlating Surname Genetic Ancestry and Socioeconomic Status across Millions of Americans
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19225911 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Daniel Van Pelt (0009-0002-1187-8102, Oldham Council), E O W Kirkegaard (0000-0001-5607-0321) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 239-280 |
| Publication date | 2026-05-04 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Comparative Sociology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1569-1322 • E-ISSN: 1569-1330 |
| Publisher | Brill (PUBLISHER • NL) |
| DOI | 10.1163/15691330-bja10162 |
| OpenAlex | W7160824568 |
| Language | EN |
Genetic variation plays a significant role in shaping socioeconomic status. Conventional census racial categories (Black, White, Asian, Hispanic) obscure substantial variation among ancestry groups. Surnames reflect ancestral lineage and genetic heritage, enabling finer measurement. The authors combined 23andMe genetic ancestry data on surnames with surnames yielded from government financial records, criminal databases, Wikipedia entries, and physician licensure records. They found that genetic ancestry strongly predicted surname-level outcomes across all metrics, with substantial differences in social standing among ethnic groups. Ashkenazi Jews and Indians ranked highest; British/Irish and Iberian ranked lowest among Europeans; highly selected immigrant groups such as Arabs and Iranians scored above Europeans
Census · Ethnic group · Genetic genealogy · Immigration · Socioeconomic status · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Names, Identity, and Discrimination Research · Race, Genetics, and Society
| Highly cited | No |
|---|