Born in Gibraltar as a British Subject would that make his parents British?

[hettyhen]

Didn't know quite how to word the subject line or which forum to post it in
but here goes.
GGG grand father Joseph/Judah POSWILLO c1810 is on 1841 Census as Foreign Born.  On 1851 as POSWILO born Gibraltar Spain and on 1861 as POSCOILLO born Gibraltar BS.
If he is down as a British subject would his parents have been British?  or was it because he was born there he became a British subject?     or neither of those!
Have had no luck finding this family prior to the 1841 census so this may point the way to another avenue to explore.
Cheers
HeatherR

[Rosinish]

Didn't know quite how to word the subject line or which forum to post it in
but here goes.
GGG grand father Joseph/Judah POSWILLO c1810 is on 1841 Census as Foreign Born.  On 1851 as POSWILO born Gibraltar Spain and on 1861 as POSCOILLO born Gibraltar BS.
If he is down as a British subject would his parents have been British?  or was it because he was born there he became a British subject?     or neither of those!
Have had no luck finding this family prior to the 1841 census so this may point the way to another avenue to explore.
Cheers
HeatherR

I'm not up on this but I think the term "British Subject" would relate to British parents such as Army/Navy/Raf at the time?

Someone with more knowledge will be along soon & state the facts, I'm sure 

Annie

[roopat]

I don't know for sure but my friend was born in Wales whilst her (very French) parents were on holiday there. She has dual nationality, French & British because she was born in the UK (1960ish) - but it didn't make her parents British. This may be a similar case - I was always under the impression that if you were born in the UK or one of the overseas protectorates (I don't know the politically correct term!) until fairly recent times, that made you a British subject.

[stanmapstone]

 British Subject means his parents were British, (or at least his father was) and even though he was born abroad he was also a British Subject. British Nationality Act, 1772. http://www.uniset.ca/naty/BNA1772.htm

Stan

[DavidG02]

Australians were also classed as British Subjects until at least 1987

[stanmapstone]

Australians were "Natural Born Subjects". Natural Born Subjects are such as are born within the dominions of the crown of England; that is, within the legiance or the allegiance of the King. Commentaries on the Laws of England by Sir William Blackstone.   

Stan

[DavidG02]

From wiki Australian law retained the status of British subject until the Australian Citizenship Amendment Act 1984 removed Part II of the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 on 1 May 1987. Hence between 1 January 1983 and 1 May 1987 a British citizen and an Australian citizen were both British subjects under Australian law, but not under United Kingdom law

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_subject

[osprey]

if he was born in Gibraltar, he would have been British. Have a look at the link about Don Pacifico born there in 1784

http://www.britannica.com/event/Don-Pacifico-affair

[hettyhen]

Thank you all for your replies and the links to relevant articles which were all helpful and interesting.   
Cheers
HeatherR