The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word ANCESTRY
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
A
N
C
E
S
T
R
Y
More clues leading to the result ANCESTRY
- Strange crest dividing a New York family
- A northern church’s attempt to establish origin
- Man finally delving into poor Tracey’s lineage
- Former family members attempt to support balls after duke's departed
- Tyres can burst in race
- Experts attempt to introduce new stock
- Bananas can rest on top of yellow branches of tree?
- Experts attempt to save Arden’s last tree perhaps
- Subtle ascent by railway line
- Some possess crest, possibly revealing this?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "race" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case race = ancestry.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ANCESTRY mean?
ANCESTRY noun- Condition as to ancestors; ancestral lineage; hence, birth or honorable descent.
- A series of ancestors or progenitors; lineage, or those who compose the line of natural descent.