scots-irish

The term 'Scots-Irish' is a compound formed in the 18th century within American English to describe a specific historical and ethnic group. It refers to the descendants of Lowland Scots and Northern English settlers who were planted in the Irish province of Ulster in the 17th century. After a few generations, many of these Protestant settlers emigrated in large numbers to British North America, particularly to the Appalachian region. The term distinguishes this group from both the native Catholic Irish and from later Scottish Highlander immigrants, highlighting their unique cultural trajectory from Scotland to Ireland and finally to America.

This is a compound adjective/noun formed from two proper nouns, 'Scots' and 'Irish'. It functions as a single lexical unit. 'Scots' refers to the people and culture of Scotland, from Old English 'Scottas' (the Irish, later the inhabitants of Scotland). 'Irish' refers to the people and culture of Ireland, from Old English 'Iras'.