The English (or Anglo-Saxons) were immigrants from continental Europe. By the start of the 8th century, most of what would become England was split into various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms: Northumbria. Wessex, Mercia and East Anglia being the most dominant. Northumbria (a name possibly coined by the clerical historian Bede), was the area of English-ruled (usually) lands north of the Humber. Initially two separate kingdoms (Bernicia, north of the Tees with Deira to the south) the two would become a united kingdom on occasion – usually the result of force.
It would take some time for all of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to be united into one country, and even then they would have to contend with more waves of invaders, such as the Norse or the Danes, who would at times rule over half of the land.
The Northern Tapestry 