Anya Taylor-Joy’s ethnicity is a mix of English, French, Spanish, Argentine, Scottish, and Irish. She is however, only fluent in English and Spanish languages. She was born to Dennis Taylor and Jennifer Marina Joy-Morancho on 16th April 1996 and is currently 28 years old.
The British-American actress and model is known for her roles as Thomasin in the horror film The Witch (2015), as Lily in Thoroughbreds (2017), as Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit (2020), and as Casey Cooke in Split (2016). Ever since she became popular, fans have become curious to know about her origin. Continue reading to find out more about Anya Taylor-Joy’s origin.
| Full Name | Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy |
| Date of Birth | April 16, 1996 |
| Age | 28 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Miami, Florida |
| Nationality | Argentine-American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed – Argentine of English and Scottish descent |
| Early Childhood | Buenos Aires |
| Father | Dennis Taylor |
| Mother | Jennifer Marina Joy-Morancho |
| Siblings | Six |
Tracing Anya Taylor-Joy’s Ethnicity
Anya Taylor-Joy’s ethnicity is a mixture of English, Scottish, distant French, one-quarter Spanish, and Irish ancestry. In addition, she holds Argentine, American, and British citizenship. Her father, Dennis, is an Argentine of Scottish and English descent. His father is British, while his mother is an Anglo-Argentine. On the other hand, her mother, Jennifer, has an English father and a Spanish mother.
Taylor-Joy also has Argentine ancestry and was raised in Argentina for several years as a child. Hence, she identifies as Latina, which she spoke about during a recent interview. She also talked about how being Argentine helped her in a video on Netflix’s Con Todo account, shared in November 2021.
I could listen to @anyataylorjoy say "me lo morfé" all day 🇦🇷🥰
here, she shares how her Argentine roots have shaped her, and what she learned from playing the role of Beth Harmon on The Queen's Gambit. pic.twitter.com/aPMxSwD6iG
— Con Todo (@contodonetflix) November 14, 2020
Anya lived with her family in Buenos Aires (the capital of Argentina), where she attended Northlands School until she was six before her family relocated to the Victoria area of London. However, Taylor-Joy described the move as “traumatic” and initially refused to learn English in hopes of relocating to Argentina. But currently, she is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Who Are Anya Taylor-Joy’s Parents?
Anya Taylor-Joy’s parents are Dennis Taylor and Jennifer Marina Joy-Morancho. Her father, Dennis, grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with his English-born father and Argentine-born mother, both of whom were of English and Scottish descent. He is a banker.
On the other hand, Anya’s mother, Jennifer Marina Joy-Morancho, was born and raised in Zambia, Africa. She is the daughter of an English diplomat father and a Spanish mother. Jennifer was raised partly in London by her parents before moving to Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. 
Dennis Taylor Is An Offshore Racing Champion
When he was in his prime, Taylor-Joy’s father, Dennis, and his brother (Taylor’s uncle) Juan both had successful careers in offshore racing. Dennis won the 1987 UIM 3D World Championship alongside Oscar Rodriguez in Catalonia, Italy, using a wooden catamaran sponsored by Marlboro.
Furthermore, he clinched the UIM 6 liter World title along with co-driver Juan Eduardo Ferreyra a year later in Messina, Italy. Their success is also thanks to a brand new Cougar Marine catamaran manufactured under license by José Cordó.
In that period, Dennis Taylor was instrumental in winning the South American championship in 1982, 1986, and 1988. For his exploit, he was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours for services in 1982 to the British community in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and an OBE for services to British trade with Argentina in 1998.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Mother, Jennifer, is a Psychologist
Jennifer Marina Joy-Morancho has a keen interest in both photography and décor. She has also established herself as a well-known psychologist, renowned decorator, and photographer. However, even though she has a successful career, she is highly concerned and focused on the well-being of her family.
Jennifer invests time in upgrading her decorating techniques so she can make her home cozy without spending a lot of money. Even so, she recently installed a new filtration system in the house appliances to give her family clean, fresh water.
Jeniffer has a huge heart and is always willing to serve. She is an active member of the community and is always willing to offer a hand. She lends a hand at school events and ceremonies and volunteers at the neighborhood food bank.
When Did Dennis Taylor and Jennifer Marina Joy-Morancho Get Married?
Dennis Taylor got married to Jennifer Marina Joy-Morancho after divorcing his first wife in the 90s. However, their exact marriage date isn’t specified. Nonetheless, the couple has lived together for many years, enjoying a blissful marriage.
Dennis and Jennifer have two biological children. However, they have six children in total, including four from Dennis’s former marriage. They had Anya Taylor on 16 April 1996, a few years after their union. Besides, they have a son, Damien, who is a professional golf coach.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Family Background is Traceable to America, South America, and Europe
Through her maternal grandfather, Anya is the descendant of Henry Cromwell (1628-1674), a former Lord Deputy of Ireland, and of his father, a statesman named Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658). Her grandfather had distant Irish and French ancestry.
Anya’s paternal grandfather was Alfred Royal Taylor, the first son of Henry William Taylor and Janette/Jeannette Liddle McDonald. Alfred was born in Romford, Essex, England, but lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Janette, on the other hand, was born in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland, and was the daughter of William Robertson and Jessie McDonald.
Anya’s paternal grandmother, Violet Mary Forrest, was born in Buenos Aires. She was the daughter of Alexander Gibson Forrest and Mabel Carter. Her father, Alexander, was born in Pettinain, Lanark, Scotland, and was the son of George Forrest and Mary MacMinn/McMinn while her mother, Mabel, was born in Reading, England, and was the daughter of George Thomas Carter and Annie Wheeler.
Moreover, Anya’s maternal grandfather was David Joy, who was the son of Harold Oliver Joy and Doris Kate Buxton. He was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, and worked as a British Crown Civil Service officer/diplomat.
Harold Oliver Joy was the son of Leopold Oliver de Blaquiere Joy, born in Akron, Ohio, United States, to English parents, from Kent. He had Irish and French ancestry and was of Leah Crossley. On the other hand, Doris Buxton was the daughter of George Earl/Earle Buxton and Frances/Fanny Elizabeth Harmer.
Anya’s maternal grandmother, Montserrat Morancho Saumench, was the daughter of Ángel Morancho Garreta and Marina Josefa/Josefa Marina Saumench Castells. She was born in Barcelona, Spain.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Parents Supported Her Decision to Abandon School For Acting
Anya saw a promising career in acting and opted to drop out of school and pursue acting full-time. She wrote a letter informing her parents of her decision. Unlike most parents, hers were thrilled about her decision and supported it. But as they would later admit, it was mostly because it afforded them the freedom to finally travel the world.
However, Anya’s decision to drop out of school wasn’t mainly based on her desire to pursue acting. She was bullied insistently in school because of the position of her eyes. The school was difficult for her because she couldn’t see her reflection in the mirror. Additionally, she struggled at sports because she couldn’t see a ball even when thrown straight at her.