Seeking Your Y-DNA

There has been a discussion that both Y-DNA and surnames are handed down from father to son. This of course is true if the surname is transmitted to the male heirs at the same time the Y-DNA. However, this had not always been the case. The figure to the right shows such a period in Welsh and English history were a surname was transmitted due to changes in the "law of the land". Here, prior to 1536, very few carried the surname JONES. In a fairly brief period, there appears a large number who took this surname. This "cohort" effect, produced a large number of JONES families who did not share the same Y-DNA. In fact, it was more likely that other surnames shared the same Y-DNA due to the fact that the Welsh naming system did not use an English surname. Since the change in Welsh law became English law, the English system of naming [first name, surname] was required of all Welsh who were to participate in this new system. [Act of Union, 1536]

The diagram to the right shows how the Welsh Y-DNA was transmitted to male heirs. [All males had equal inheritance under Welsh law.] Four male children of Thomas, 1) Richard ap Thomas, 2) Edward ap Thomas, 3) John ap Thomas, and 4) David ap Thomas would receive the same Y-DNA from Thomas.


Their children, 1) Peter ap Richard ap Thomas, 2) David ap Edward ap Thomas, 3) Thomas ap John ap Thomas, and 4) John ap David ap Thomas, would also share the same Y-DNA. During, and after the Act of Union, their children would be given [if they did not choose] a name under the English system. Thus, 1) Peter ap Richard ap Thomas, could become Peter Richards, 2) David ap Edward ap Thomas, could become David Edward(s), 3) Thomas ap John ap Thomas, could become Thomas Jones, and 4) John ap David ap Thomas, could become John David. Four different surnames, but all share the same Y-DNA. Multiple names, becoming multiple surnames, all under a new legal system.

When your family tree reaches this time period, you will need to take these factors into consideration. You will need to shift your tree climbing to a Welsh system of names when you seek your Y-DNA.

Research taken from: The Jones Genealogist, Vol.VI, No.4, Nov/Dec, 1994.

Any Other Jones Haplogroups?

The last several posts have discussed the haplogroups that have shared the surname JONES. These have been R1, I, E, G, J, and Q. Are there others with the surname Jones that carry one of the other haplogroups? Please identify yourself. Place a comment on this post and give your family haplogroup. Any other JONES families out there?

The Jones Surname : Fire Works Intended

The haplogroups that make up the JONES surname are shown to the right. [Based upon 275 individuals submitting their DNA to analysis.] A "big picture" to shown the relationship between the various haplogroups identified is shown. It is intended to represent proportionately the groups found by DNA Y-chromosome analysis. [SNPs = snips]

R1b represents 76%. Haplogroup I represents 10%. The remaining groups are all less than 5%.

Previous posts discuss these haplogroups. The surname JONES, fire works intended!

Jones Surname and Haplogroup J

Haplogroup J made up the remainder of those submitting their DNA for analysis to the JONES surname group. The Middle East and North Africa is thought to be origin for this branch of the human genome. Only 2% of these folks carried this SNP (snip). [ A place along the chromosome that has this genetic marker.]

Anyone out there with the surname JONES, and the haplogroup group "J"? Please let your JONES family and its history be known.

Again to review: The JONES Surname - Haplogroups identified =

R = 78% (R1b= 76% and R1a = 2%)

I = 11%

E = 6%

G = 3%

J = 2%

Q = trace 1/275.

Jones Surname and Haplogroup G

Haplogroup G made up 3% of those in the JONES surname interest group. [At the time of this analysis the total in the group was 275.] Asia Minor, Iraq, and Iran are thought to be the starting point of this haplogroup.

Are there those with the surname JONES from haplogroup G? Please identify your family and their story.

So far, haplogroup R1b = 76%, haplogroup I = 10%, and haplogroup E = 5%, and now haplogroup G = 3% for the surname JONES. Keep those cards and letters coming in!

Jones Surname and Haplogroup E

Six per cent of the folks who had their DNA analyzed for the surname JONES were haplogroup E. [6% of the 275 individuals who made up the whole group] Originating in Central Africa, this haplogroup would most likely represent the African American population who share the surname JONES.

Those of haplogroup E, please identify your lineage and DNA that have the surname JONES. Would love to have the opportunity to connect the surname JONES and its history for all haplogroups.

Jones Surname and Haplogroup I

It is clear that those who share the JONES surname do not have a single "common ancestor". There is no "Adam Jones" who started at the beginning, and was the founding father of our surname.

It is also apparent that there are several haplogroups that share the surname JONES. My specific DNA was tested in a group that had at least 275 individuals who had an interest in the surname JONES. [Not sure that all 275 actually carried the surname.] These have been discussed in the post "Those Other Jones", May 20, 2011.

This post is to encourage those who share a common haplogroup to list their family, and identify their DNA lineage. Hopefully, this would allow communication between other JONES families that share this haplogroup.

Haplogroup I [Scandinavian] is the second most common [11%] among those 275 individuals sharing an interest in their DNA. All those "Vikings" I guess? Perhaps even "Norman"? [They started out Vikings!] Anyone of Haplogroup I, please identify yourself. Please use this post and the comment section to share your family connection to the JONES surname.