The term refers to individuals who arrived in the United States primarily from Northern and Western Europe prior to the 1880s. Prominent countries of origin included Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Scandinavia. These populations often possessed a degree of familiarity with democratic institutions and, in some cases, higher levels of literacy and occupational skills compared to later arrivals.
Their presence significantly shaped the cultural and economic landscape of the developing nation. They contributed substantially to the workforce, particularly in agriculture and skilled trades, and their cultural practices influenced American society. However, their arrival also sparked nativist sentiments as some native-born citizens expressed concerns about job competition and the preservation of existing cultural norms.