Depends. The borders were different back then. There are people in my family who are ethnically Polish but from White Russia, which is now known as Belarus.
Careful. The literal meaning would be "White Ruthenia" (Ruthenia != Russia). In general this etymology is complex, and politically charged[1], but deriving it from "Russia" is most certainly wrong.
But I agree with your main point - ethnicity and nationality gets more confusing the further back past we go.
MisterTea|10 months ago
msm_|10 months ago
Careful. The literal meaning would be "White Ruthenia" (Ruthenia != Russia). In general this etymology is complex, and politically charged[1], but deriving it from "Russia" is most certainly wrong.
But I agree with your main point - ethnicity and nationality gets more confusing the further back past we go.