The history of American traditional tattoos dates back to the early 1800s and is closely linked to the country’s seafaring roots. Sailors, fishermen and adventurers often had tattoos to commemorate their journeys, or to ward off evil spirits. As the popularity of tattoos grew, more and more sailors began visiting local tattoo parlors to get inked up. Today, the traditional American tattoo style is one of the most popular tattoo styles in the world.