Springsteen in 2013, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen
Place of Birth: Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of Birth: September 23, 1949
Ethnicity:
*father – Irish, small amount of Dutch
*mother – Italian/Sicilian
Bruce Springsteen is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and humanitarian activist. He is a member of E Street Band, along with his wife, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Patti Scialfa, as well as Steven Van Zandt.
He is the son of Adele Ann (Zerilli) and Douglas Frederick Springsteen. His father was of at least three quarters Irish ancestry, and also had Dutch heritage. Some of his Irish ancestors were from Rathangan, County Kildare. His mother was of Italian/Sicilian ancestry. His sister is actress and photographer Pamela Springsteen, of the Sleepaway Camp sequels.
He has three children with his wife Patti, including Olympic equestrian Jessica Springsteen.
Bruce’s patrilineal line can be traced to Casper Springsteen, who was born, c. 1620, in Groningen, Netherlands, and to his wife, Geertje “Catherine” Jans.
Bruce’s paternal grandfather was Frederick H. “Fred” Springsteen (the son of Anthony Springsteen and Martha Ann O’Hagan). Frederick was born in New Jersey. Anthony was the son of Alexander A. Springsteen and Harriet McGinty Smith. Martha was the daughter of Irish parents, William O’Hagan/O’Hagen and Mary McCann.
Bruce’s paternal grandmother was Alice Helena McNicholl/McNicholas/MacNichols (the daughter of John NcNicholas and Jane “Jennie” Farrell). Alice was born in New Jersey. John was the son of Irish parents, Richard McNicholas and Annie Sullivan. Jane was also of Irish descent, and was the daughter of Patrick Farrell and Ann Garrity/Gerrity, who had roots in County Kildare.
Bruce’s maternal grandfather was Antonio A. “Anthony” Zerilli (the son of Raffaele/Raffaela Zerilli and Raffaella Aiello). Antonio, a lawyer, was born in Vico Equense, Province of Naples, Campania, Italy. Raffaele was the son of Andrea Zerilli (1827-1901), who was born in Palma di Montechiaro, Province of Agrigento, Sicily, Italy. In 1852, Andrea married Bruce’s great-great-grandmother Rosa Veniero (1831-1912).
Bruce’s maternal grandmother was named Adelina/Adele Sorrentino. Adelina was Italian.
Sources: Genealogies of Bruce Springsteen –
Article about Bruce’s Irish ancestry, by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak –
Genealogy of Bruce Springsteen (focusing on his father’s side) –
Genealogy of Bruce’s father –
Bruce’s father on the 1940 U.S. Census –
Bruce’s paternal grandfather, Frederick H. “Fred” Springsteen, on the 1920 U.S. Census –
Marriage record of Bruce’s paternal great-grandparents, Anthony Springsteen and Martha Ann O’Hagan –
Bruce’s paternal great-grandfather, Anthony Springsteen, on the 1880 U.S. Census –
Bruce’s mother on the 1930 U.S. Census –
New York passenger arrival record of Bruce’s maternal great-grandfather, Raffaele/Raffaela Zerilli –
Some of Bruce’s family history –
