Is there a difference between nationality and heritage?

Question:

Is there a difference between nationality and heritage?

I've always thought that nationality is what country you are a part of and heritage is where you came from. (Like I'm an American but my ancestors were European.) But everytime someone asks me my nationality and I say American, they actually wanted to know my heritage. I'm just curious to know if there really is a difference.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I agree with you. Nationality just means what nation you are a member of. Heritage refers to the past, so it would be where your ancestors came from.

If someone asks you your nationality and you say American, then that makes sense.

Quote:

"Yes there is a diferance. And you have it right.
Do not feel bad that others are illerate"

Ouch.

Another quote:

"Most people are confused on this issue. Your nationality is the country in which your birth certificate was issued."

That's not correct. If I was born in Kenya, and was issued a birth certificate there, and I moved to the U.S. when I was a baby and became a U.S. citizen, then my nationality would be American. Why would my nationality be Kenyan? I don't know that place. I grew up since before I can remember in the U.S., I am a citizen of the country, I have an American passport, etc. My nationality is American. Why? Because I live in the U.S. and I am legally a citizen of the U.S. Maybe my parents were American and just happened to be living in Kenya a couple of years.