Use Your DNA to Rediscover Your Irish Heritage 

A commercial 37 marker Y chromosome DNA test will potentially provide one with the names of many hundreds of individuals with whom one shares ancestry, but what often perplexes people is how one can match many individuals with different Surnames? The answer is quite simple. Roughly 1,200 years ago one’s direct medieval male ancestor, the first for example to call himself ‘Bowes’ was living in close proximity to others with whom he was related but who assumed other Surnames like Carroll, Dooley and Kelly. Given that 1,200 years have passed since Surnames were adopted, there will be many descendants of these individuals some of whom today will undergo DNA testing. Hence the Surnames of one’s medieval ancestor’s neighbours will be reflected in today’s DNA test results.

In Ireland Surnames can still be found concentrated in the County from which they originate. In this manner one can examine the individual Surname distribution maps on the Irish Origenes website and pinpoint a ‘Genetic Homeland.’ The Genetic Homeland is the very small area, usually within a 5km (or 3 mile radius) where one’s ancestors lived for hundreds if not thousands of years. It is the area where one’s ancestors left their mark in the place names of that area and in the DNA of its current inhabitants. Since modern science can pinpoint a Genetic Homeland it can also be used to confirm it by DNA testing individuals from the pinpointed area.  To view a short You Tube video tutorial demonstrating how to make sense of your own DNA results click here, or you can read my own Bowes' case study! Not had a DNA test? Then click on the Family Tree DNA 'are you a warrior' banner on this webpage and select a Y-DNA37 test.

If you have had a DNA test then simply begin browsing the open access Surnames of Ireland database or the Castles of Ireland database. Or you can order your own Case Study by contacting me, Dr Tyrone Bowes (the initial consultation is FREE).  To become a lifelong member, and receive all 3 maps: Surnames of Ireland, Clan Territories of Ireland, and the Castles of Ireland maps and to benefit from my expertise click here. Payments are handled by Paypal and is completely safe and secure.

Click here if you have Scottish Origins

Click here if you have English Origins

Putting the GENE back into GENEalogy