It is now believed that the true Romany were descended from travelling musicians from India/Pakistan, who left there maybe a thousand years ago and speak a language related to Hindi.

The various names they have acquired seem to have been adopted from countries through which they travelled

Gypsy = Egyptian
Romany = Rome or Romania?

Other 'Travellers' in the UK include 'tinkers' and many Irish families, who MAY or MAY NOT be of Romany descent.

Some may be more or less acceptable than others, but all the travellers who arrive in our area seem to think that they are within their rights to camp on any land they can get into, make as much mess as they like, (shall I post some photos?) and leave someone else to clear it up. Oh, yes, and drive off with whatever they can free with their bolt-cutters.

I have never had the desire to go and enquire as to whether they are 'Roma'.