Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (abbreviated to GRT) is an umbrella term used in the United Kingdom to represent certain ethnic groups with a history of nomadism.
In the UK, it is common in data collections to differentiate between: Gypsies (including English Gypsies, Scottish Gypsies or Travellers, Welsh Gypsies and other Romany people) Irish Travellers (who have specific Irish roots) Roma, understood to be more recent migrants from Central and Eastern Europe.
Traveler and traveller are both English terms. Traveler is predominantly used in 🇺🇸 American (US) English ( en-US ) while traveller is predominantly used in 🇬🇧 British English (used in UK/AU/NZ) ( en-GB ). In the United States, there is a preference for "traveler" over "traveller" (87 to 13).
Pikey (/ˈpaɪkiː/; also spelled pikie, pykie) is a derogatory slang term referring to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people. It is used mainly in the United Kingdom and in Ireland to refer to people who belong to groups which had a traditional travelling lifestyle.
What is the politically correct term for traveller?
The umbrella term 'Gypsies, Roma and Travellers' includes many different and distinct groups. For example, Irish Travellers, Scottish Gypsy/Travellers and Romani people who are recognised ethnic groups.
In 2022, the Traveller Movement reported that the 2021 census showed an increase in the number of GRT people in the country to 168,749. The association viewed this as largely a result of the inclusion of a "Roma" category in the survey, which 100,981 people selected.
“Roma” is the word (ethnonym) that the Roma use to describe themselves: it is the term for the members of that specific people and it is Romani for “man”. “Gypsy” is a derogatory, disparaging term – for many an insult — used by the majority population to define the Roma people.
Gypsies' and Travellers' ethnicity is recognised by the law. Unfortunately, refusal of service simply on the grounds of their race is a problem across the hospitality industry. The outcome of this case and the publicity it generated has highlighted that refusing to serve anyone because of their race breaks the law.
The Romany and Traveller Family History Society website includes lists of surnames that frequently occur in the Gypsy and Traveller community. Gypsy surnames which occur in Surrey include Cooper, Matthews, Ayres, Smith, Green, Taylor, Williams, Brazil, Shepherd, Beaney, Chapman and Scott among others.
A traveller is a gypsy, Roma, an Irish traveller or a showman. The first 3 are distinct ethnic groups who have their own cultures and identities. A showman is a Brit who travels around with fairs.
If you are on a low income you may be entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit to help you with housing costs. More information on how much you may be entitled to and making a claim can be found in the Money and Affording to Stay section.
The term 'Gypsies and Travellers' is difficult to define as it does not constitute a single, homogenous group, but encompasses a range of groups with different histories, cultures and beliefs including: Romany Gypsies, Welsh Gypsies, Scottish Gypsy Travellers and Irish Travellers.
Some of the better known areas of work that Gypsies and Travellers are involved in include seasonal agricultural work, motor trading and tree-felling. Some are employed as academics, teachers and public servants and in this way they add to the local economy.
What's the difference between gypsy and traveller?
Considerable. Romany Gypsies area race in themselves. They speak a private language that is not shared with Irish Travellers and have distinct cultural habits . Irish Travellers are not a race in themselves and are just Irish people that live in Caravans.
The rights of travelling people. Includes your rights to stop legally, park and live in a camp, and how to access services such as healthcare and education. Gypsies and Travellers have different rights depending on whether they are staying on a council site, an unauthorised site, or a private site.
The bar chart in Figure 1 shows those who identified as Gypsy or Irish Traveller were mostly concentrated in the South East and East of England (24.2% and 13.1%, respectively).
The vast majority of Roma are Christians. They are Catholic Manouche, Mercheros, and Sinti; Muslim Ashkali and Romanlar; Pentecostal Kalderash and Lovari; Protestant Travellers; Anglican Roma; and Baptist Roma. The Roma's religious beliefs are occupied by God and Virgin Mary.
Romanichal residing in England, Scotland, and Wales are part of the Gypsy (Romani), Roma, and Traveller community. Romanichal. A Gypsy Girl by George Elgar Hicks (1899) Regions with significant populations.
The term Roma is increasingly encountered as a generic term for the Roma. Because not all Roma use the word Romani as an adjective, the term became a noun for the entire ethnic group. Today, the term Romani is used by some organizations, including the United Nations and the US Library of Congress.
Gypsy communities may also use unusual first names, such as Britannia, Cinderella or Tryphena for girls, or Ezekial, Gilderoy or Shadrack for boys. You can find out more with our guide to Gypsy names.
