Melungeon People / myLot

United States

January 23, 2026 1:05pm CST

Do you know about the Melungeon people? They are of tri-racial heritage mix of Caucasian Europeans, African American Slaves, and Native American Indians. They live primarily in the Appalachian region of the United States. They generally have darker complexions and eyes, high cheekbones, a small bump on their ear cartilage, and shovel-shaped incisor teeth as just a few of their key appearance characteristics. I think my uncle's wife was Melungeon because she was from the mountains and had a different sort of complexion and high cheekbones. I think my great grandmother probably was as well. I'm not sure if there are still what's considered Melungeon families in the Appalachians or if integration has caused that population to be diluted. Had you ever heard of this distinct group of people?

8 people like this

8 responses

Jimlos Tatooth

@Ineeddentures (14577)

•

21h

I had not heard of them But I did go and have a look at Wiki. It says that once upon a time " Melungeon" was a racial slur. I didn't read much more I did look at some Images which led me to this https://theappalachianmagazine.com/the-legacy-of-my-melungeon-heritage-a-story-of-resilience-mystery-and-identity/ And the picture is the author of the stuff on the link

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (369956)

• Rockingham, Australia

16h

I've never heard of these people.

1 person likes this

Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (128398)

• Marion, Ohio

17h

Not them but in southern Ohio was a group referred to as black indians. They were a mix of indian, french and black. I looked them up several years ago when someone doing my moms family tree asked her about them as that showed up in an old family bible.

1 person likes this