DNA surname projects

DNA surname projects are a natural partner to genealogy research. Because both surnames and y-DNA are passed from father to son down the generations, bringing together lots of people who share the same family name offers the opportunity to find matches, compare genealogical findings and extend family trees.

What are DNA surnames projects?

DNA Surname projects have been set up to conduct what are essentially genetic censuses of people with particular surnames. These projects have proliferated since it became obvious that patterns on Y-chromosones (known as Y-dna signatures) can be associated with particular surnames. This is because men inherit both y-dna and (usually) a surname from their fathers. Every now and again, a harmless mutation of the y-dna occurs. The y-dna signature is, therefore, the mark of a distinct paternal line. (Find out more about paternity dna testing.)

In simple terms, people with matching Y-dna signatures are related; those whose Y-dna signatures do not match are not related, despite their sharing a surname.

DNA surname projects bring together disparate folk who share the same surname. Each member of the project has his y-DNA tested and its analysis is added to the project's database.

This database can then be scutenised for 'matches' of similar DNA sequences.

Where's the genealogical value?

Here are a few examples of how y-DNA surname projects can be of genealogical value:

Men inherit their y-DNA and (usually) their surname from
their fathers. Women do not have y-DNA.

• William Healy in the USA believes his immigrant ancestor, Michael, originated from Ireland 150 years ago but he can find no documentary evidence. Analysis through a Healy y-DNA surname project shows he matches with Tom Healy whose family is known to have lived in co Kilkenny for at least 200 years. William now knows where to concentrate his search for historical records of Michael's birth and his family's life.
• Patrick knows his ancestors were living in Parish A 100 years ago. John knows his family were living in neighbouring Parish B 100 years ago. If they took a y-dna test and proved to be related, they would both know to extend their search for records into the other parish. If they were unrelated, both would know not to waste their time delving the records of the neighbouring parish.
• Tom has traced his family back to the early 1700s. He's curious to see what he might learn through a y-DNA surname project so he joins up and takes the test. He's surprised to find a match with Jack on the other side of the world, never having had any known connection to that region. It turns out that Tom's great great grandfather had a brother (Jack's ancestor) who emigrated as a young man. This brother had not appeared in any of the genealogy records Tom had studied but, through Jack, he now has a completely new branch of ancestors to add to his family tree.

How to join a y-DNA surname project

A number of testing companies are now established to handle DNA surname projects. One of the largest providers of tests is Family Tree DNA. As the company's name suggests, it is clearly aimed at genealogy researchers and understands the objectives of its genealogist customers. It offers tests for Y-DNA, mt-DNA and at-DNA analysis, runs DNA surname projects and offers a searchable database. Its customer base is international.

You could also try DNA Ancestry and Ethnoancestry.com

Check the websites of these companies to see if any of them has an existing project for your name. If one does, it makes sense to take the y-DNA test with the company where the project is hosted. An obvious reason is to take advantage of the financial discount that is usually available. But there's also a technical reason. Testing companies use different markers which can make it difficult to compare the results for two men if they have been tested with different laboratories.

If there is no surname project for the name you are studying, you can set one up yourself. The duties of a project administrator are fairly limited so don't be put off. You'll probably find that you're entitled to a discount on your tests, too.

The larger the surname project's database, the greater your chances of finding a match so if you have to start one up it may be some time before you find a match.

Where next?

• Thinking of taking the plunge? More about 'at home' dna testing for ancestry purposes.
• Find out about Irish surnames.
• Return to the main Genealogy DNA Testing page.