Currently the key headline findings from the study so far are:-
The ancestral Y-DNA signatures of over 120 (out of 130+ in total) Manx male genetic families have been fully identified. Another 18 families have been partially classified. | |||||
The Y-DNA results of more than 560 men of Manx origin are included in the study database. | |||||
In the period immediately after the Scandinavian occupation of the Isle of Man (800-1265AD) up to a quarter of the male population were of Scandinavian or North European origin. | |||||
The transition from Gaelic patronymic
family names to hereditary names on the Isle of Man in the period ca
1050-1300AD has had unexpected genetic implications in that:-
|
Kelly from the Isle of Man is really so! All those familiar family names (e.g. Curphey, Bridson, Kennaugh etc) which we consider to be typical of and unique to the Isle of Man are shown to be indeed so. | |
Different variants of the same original Manx family name, which are popularly assumed to be equivalent, e.g. Callister and Collister, etc are indeed the same family. | |
Every one in eight men tested in the study did not show the genetic profile associated with the rest of his family. | |
The names of some early Manx emigrants changed/evolved after they left the Island in the 1700-1800s. | |
The close-relatedness of the Manx community genetically is a notable feature of the Isle of Man, as might be expected. Y-DNA testing indicates that a number of male lines are connected from early times. However autosomal DNA testing provides further anecdotal evidence of this characteristic amongst a small population of people with Manx ancestry. | |
A macro analysis indicates the times scales in which the early ancestors of the present-day Manx inhabitants arrived on the Island from elsewhere, |
Key Findings | |
Background | |
Characteristics of Manx Family Names | |
Y-DNA Testing and Methodology Used | |
Results Summary | |
The Future | |
Appendix I - Detailed Results for Each Family Name - Updated 24th May 2022 | |
Appendix II - Analysis and Interpretation of Results | |
Appendix III - Analysis of Non-Paternal Events | |
Summary table of results and progress - Updated 12th April 2022 | |
High Level Macro Analysis of the results - Updated 18th May 2020 | |
Gallery - Updated 18th Jan 2024 | |
Correlation of Name Origins with Genetic Origins - Updated 30th September 2020 |
Furthermore, an analysis has been recently carried out by Chris Keig examining the possible connection between a number of Manx families and the Viking Kings of Mann - see here
Those detailed results for each person tested through FTDNA can be seen here. More will be available in time, as will the analysis. If your family name is incompletely tested or not all and you have a male candidate bearing your name and you wish to take part please feel free to contact Robert Cannell.
The project continues to need financial support as well as further testing candidates. Each Y-37 test costs $119/£90 and anyone can make a donation on line to the project here.
A few family names are not yet fully or partially tested and so suitable candidate are still sought. See here
A full summary of the project results and output has been published in "Isle of Man Studies" - The Proceedings of the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society - Vol XVII - see the index here
If you have questions or comments on the project then please feel free to contact Robert Cannell, here