Ancient Greece considered a longer second toe the perfect foot shape. You’ll often see it on sculptures of gods and goddesses. Sometimes called a Greek toe, royal toe, or Morton’s toe, this is a normal variation of the human foot.

If looking down at your feet reveals your second toe poking out further than your first, you've got Morton's toes. Having longer second toes often runs in families, and AncestryDNA + Traits can reveal if you have the genetic markers connected with it.

What Causes a Morton's Toe?

Morton's toes are caused by anatomical differences in the metatarsal bone structure, a condition first described by an American orthopedic surgeon, Dudley Joy Morton. The metatarsal is the bone that connects the toe to the foot; in most people, the first metatarsal is longer. Those with Morton's toes have a longer second metatarsal instead. This variance in bone length can change how the foot functions by impacting weight distribution when standing and walking.

Approximately 22% of the population worldwide has a Morton's toe from birth. Some studies have indicated this rate might vary regionally.

While some people with a Morton's toe won't notice any symptoms, others may experience discomfort and pain. People with a condition called Morton's neuroma, where a nerve between the toe bones becomes inflamed, may feel like they have a pebble in their shoe. It's relatively common for people with a longer second toe to experience back and foot pain or develop bunions or calluses.

If your Morton's toe causes foot pain, it might also be because standard shoes aren’t typically designed to accommodate a longer second toe. However, you may be able to ease the discomfort with supportive footwear—shoes that have a wider or deeper toe box, for example, or orthotic inserts.

The Role of Genetics in Having a Longer Second Toe

Having a longer second toe is influenced in part by genetics. Most people with this foot type have it from birth, and it tends to run in families. However, it doesn't appear to follow the dominant-recessive model for inheritance.

Curious about the genetic influence on longer second toes, the AncestryDNA team asked over 790,000 people, "Is your second toe longer than your big toe?" By comparing their responses, the team found over 930 genetic markers related to having a longer second toe.

That data was used to calculate a polygenic risk score—a statistical tool that helps estimate the likelihood that someone may have a certain trait based on their DNA. Based on their study, the AncestryDNA team found that 13% of the variation in whether people have a longer second toe is explained by genetics, but that number may change as more genes and interactions between genes are discovered.

Non-Genetic Reasons for Having a Longer Second Toe

Having a longer second toe is congenital, but some factors may make the second toe look longer even if someone doesn’t actually have a longer second metatarsal. For example, regularly wearing poorly fitted footwear that doesn't have enough space can squeeze the toes and force them out of place.

The ageing process can also affect connective tissue in the foot—tendons, muscles, and ligaments—leading to an altered foot shape. Likewise, the extra pressure on the feet caused by weight gain can impact the foot’s connective tissues.

If the big toe develops hallux valgus, a condition in which the big toe angles inward, the second toe can look longer in comparison. However, this isn't a true Morton's toe because the first metatarsal isn't usually shorter than the second.

Interesting Myths About Having a Greek (or Royal) Toe

Contrary to popular belief, having a Greek toe doesn't necessarily mean you have Greek heritage. The same is true regarding the so-called Egyptian foot, where the first toe is longer than the others, and the Roman foot, where the first four toes are aligned, which gives the foot a square shape. Those monikers don’t reflect ancestral roots.

The name “Greek toe” actually comes from the prevalence of this foot shape in Greek and Roman art, such as the Venus de Milo. It was considered the most aesthetically pleasing foot shape, conveying a sense of nobility and beauty.

In India, longer second toes in women can be associated with a take-charge personality. Some groups in India may also associate this foot shape with independence, confidence, and self-assurance.

Despite many superstitions, myths, and beliefs about what a longer second toe says about people's personalities, no scientific evidence supports these claims. In reality, your toes are just another part of what makes your appearance unique, just like whether you have freckles, dimples, or a unibrow.

Interested in how your genetics can shape your feet, who you are, and what you look like? Take an AncestryDNA + Traits test to reveal whether you have common gene markers associated with a range of physical and personality traits, including Morton's toe, finger length, and flat feet. If you've already taken an AncestryDNA test, your results are ready to review now with an Ancestry subscription.