MANXDNA

This is a website for the new Manx Y-DNA project which is seeking to assess and analyse the spread and diversity of Y-DNA profiles present in men of Manx origin.

There is a distinct group of family names which are unique to the Isle of Man - and the Manx population will be a mixture of old Irish, Viking and some Scottish DNA. The purpose of this project is  to try and clarify some of the early genetic origins of the Manx and to try and identify where the early Manx settlers came from.

Additionally it is expected that if this project can provide a greater insight into the timing and origins of many of these "native" Manx names, then it could also lead to a better understanding of exactly how some of these early Manx Gaelic names were originally formed and adopted.

The science of population genetics  teaches that a population of people living on an island have usually show a lower level of genetic diversity than the wider human population elsewhere (founder effect) and another objective of this project will be to try and evaluate whether there is any evidence of this within the Manx population.

If you are male and possess one of the following family names*, and you know that your paternal line ancestors came originally from the Isle of Man - then you are kindly invited to take part in this project

Bell Boyde Brew Bridson Cain(e) Caley Callister Callow Cannell Cannon Carran Carine Casement Cashen/in Christian Clague Clarke Cleator Clucas Colquitt Collister Condra Comish Coole Corkill Corkish Corlett Cormode Corrin Corris Corteen Costain Cottier Cowell Cowin Cowle Cowley Craine Crebbin Creer Cregeen Crennell Crellin Cretney Cringle Crowe Cubbon Curphey Far(a)gher Fayle Gale Garrett Gawne Gell Gelling Gill Gorry Halsal(l) Hampton  Hogg Joughin Kaighin Karran Kaye/Kee Kegg Keggin Keig Kell(e)y Kennaugh Kennish/Kinnish Keown Kermeen Kermode Kerruish Kewin Kewley Killey Killip Kinley Kinrade Kinvig Kissack Kneal(e) Kneen Lace Leece Lewin Looney Maddrell Martin Moore Morrison Moughtin/ton Mylchreest Mylrea Nelson Oat(e)s Quaggan/in Qualtrough Quayle Quilliam Quine Quark Quirk Radcliffe Sayle Scarffe Shimmin Skillicorn Stephen Stowell Taggart Tear(e) Vondy Watterson, Wattleworth

The success of this project will depend heavily on being able to collect Y-DNA test results from men bearing the above Manx names. A good early start has been made to the project so far in identifying candidate men who have already been Y-DNA tested but it will soon become necessary to start testing men who have not previously been tested - this will require funds to support this element of the project. If you are interested in this aims and objectives of this ground-breaking study and wish to  support it by by making a financial contribution towards the cost of new Y-DNA tests then you can do so by going the the study website at FTDNA  here and following the link at the bottom of the left hand column. Please remember to select the Isle of Man Project from the list. Many thanks in advance. Every amount helps!

To learn more about the background to the project - go here

To see the progress so far and to see whether your name is already included or not and whether you are needed to volunteer to take part. - go here  

Early results show some 20% of Manx males possessing a possible Scandinavian/Viking origin.

To take part - go here

More information to follow in due course.

In the meantime if you are interesting in taking part or supporting the project in any way then please contact the project coordinator by email here

You can learn about the sort of information one can learn from this type of testing by reading the report of the Creer Y-DNA Study results here 

* The list of Manx names above is hopefully definitive but if you possess a Manx family name that is not included, and I have missed it, then please let me know. John A Creer.

If you have any questions about this site please contact John A Creer.  Copyright John A Creer 2013