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Genes and Genealogy— McGough Y-DNA by Hugh McGough

Niall of the Nine Hostages (Niall Noigiallach) was king of Ireland from 379 AD to 405 AD. He is number 126 on my list of Irish Kings. He was the son of Eochaidh Muighmheadhoin, who is number 124 on my list of Irish Kings. He was, therefore, known as Niall Mac Eochaidh or Mac Echach. Several centuries after Niall's reign, Mac Eochaidh was anglicized as McGough. See my page Origins of the Surname McGough. With a stretch of the history of anglicization of Irish names and a little poetic license, therefore, we can say that Niall was a McGough. For a brief biography and family tree of Niall, see: Niall of the Nine Hostages, on the website of the Boston University Theology Library.

In 2005, five members of the faculty of Trinity College in Dublin announced the discovery of an "Irish Modal Haplotype" (IMH) consisting of families, mostly in northwestern Ireland, with a likely genetic relationship with Niall of the Nine Hostages. My personal DNA matches exactly the IMH 17-marker cluster identified as the Irish Modal Haplotype by the team from Trinity College. See the section of this page entitled Ui Neill Haplotype.

Many experts believe that the cluster of Y-DNA markers that identify the Ui Neill haplotype dates back to a time long before Niall of the Nine Hostages. Irish tradition is that Niall was a descendant of Eremon (Irish Kings #2), a son of the legendary Milesius of Spain, many of whose descendants became rulers of northern Ireland before the Norman conquest. The arrival in Ireland of the Milesians, or Gaels, from Spain traditionally occurred in the late Bronze Age (13th - 9th centuries BC). The Ui Neill genetic markers, therefore, may trace back to Eremon. The erudite John D. McLaughlin discusses the various forms given the Milesian legends by Irish scribes in his essay: The Milesian Legends. See also: The Keating Genealogies—The Branching of the sons of Milidh. Both essays will be found on John D. McLaughlin's great website: McLaughlin of Dún na nGall (Donegal).

DNA testing should help solve some Irish genealogical puzzles within the next decade. The database of Irish DNA is growing rapidly, thanks in part to the interest raised by publication of the Ui Neill haplotype. Thus far, such Y-DNA testing has, at least in my eyes, increased the credence of the old Irish annals and pedigrees—sometimes to the surprise of modern Irish historians.

Introduction

My lack of expertise in molecular genetics will become obvious to any expert who reads this page. For a combination of knowledge of the Irish annals and pedigrees and Y-DNA testing results, see the excellent website of John D. McLaughlin of St. Louis: McLaughlin of Dún na nGall (Donegal). For an introduction to molecular genealogy, see: Eye on DNA | How will it change your life? A video lecture by Dick Eastman of Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter—the keynote address at the 2007 BYU Computerized Family History and Genealogy Conference. The database of the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF) offers a gold mine of data and tutorials. The Animations in the Education section of their website offer a short primer in molecular genealogy.

For a good exposition of many of the issues touched upon here, see: What can Y chromosome DNA tell us about the Ewings? by John McEwan (August 2006), part of a site called: Dal Riadic Migration Y Chromosome DNA Genealogy Page by John McEwan (updated 5th Aug 2006).

For a comprehensive list of links, see: Kerchner's DNA Testing & Genetic Genealogy Info and Resources Page, and see the section on Links at the end of this page.

True Ould Milesians

Charles Macklin, a celebrated Irish actor and playwrite, died in London on July 11, 1797. Macklin included his family among the "true ould Milesians." Macklin was born Charles M'Laughlin (or Cathail McLochlainn) in about 1699. His parents were William McLaughlin and Ann O'Flanagan (whose marriage may have been recorded as that of Terence Melaghlin and Agnes O'Flanagan). See History of Charles Macklin. According to a memoir by Francis Aspey Congreve published in 1798, Mackin's birthplace was "the Barony of Quinshoven, one of the northernmost districts of Ireland." Quinshoven should be Inishowen. Macklin was born in Gortinairn near the village of Culdaff on the Inishowen peninsula in county Donegal. Other biographers repeat a story, probably wrong, that Charles Macklin was two months old at the battle of the Boyne, which was fought on July 1, 1690. A memorial marker gives his life span as 1690 to 1797, but the inscription on his coffin in the chancel of St. Paul's Church, Covent Garden, London, says he died on July 11, 1797, "Aged 97 years."

In Macklin's comedy of 1759, Love al la mode, the Irishman, Sir Callaghan O'Brallaghan (modernly often Bradley) is reading a letter he has composed to Sir Archy MacSarcasm, a Scotsman. In the letter, Sir Callaghan alludes to the ancient antiquity of his family, and proceeds to explain:

"You see, Sir Archy, I give him a rub, but by way of a hint about my family, because why, you see, Sir Theodore is my uncle, only by my mother's side, which is a little upstart family came in vid one Strongbow but t'other day—lord, not above six or seven hunred years ago; whereas my family, by my father's side, are all the true ould Milesians, and related to the O'Flahertys, and O'Shaughnesses, and the M'Lauchlins, the O'Donnagbans, O'Callaghans, O'Geoghagans, and all the tick blood of the nation; and I myself am an O'Brallaghan, which is the ouldest of them all.” —Macklin: Love à la Mode.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL. D. and revised in 1895.

I can't resist adding a quotation from Macklin's 1763 play A True Born Irishman [After O’Dogherty reproached his wife for changing her name in London from O'Dogherty to Diggerty, she promised to return to O'Dogherty]:

"Ogh, that’s right, Nancy—O’Dogherty for ever O’Dogherty—there’s a sound for you—why they have not such a name in England as O’Dogherty—nor as any of our fine sounding Milesian names—what are your Jones and your Stones, your Rice and your Price, your Heads and your Foots, and Hands and your Wills, and Hills and Mills, and Sands, and a parcel of little pimping names that a man would not pick out of the street, compared to the O’Donovans, O’Callaghans, O’Sullivans, O’Brallaghans, O’Shagnesses, O'Flahertys, O’Gallaghers, and O’Doghertys.—Ogh, they have courage in the very sound of them, for they come out of the mouth like a storm, and are as old and stout as the oak at the bottom of the bog of Allen, which was there before the flood—and though they have been dispossessed by upstarts and foreigners, buddoughs and sassanoughs, yet I hope they will flourish in the Island of Saints, while grass grows or water runs."

(Quoted in part in Bridget O’Toole's review of A. N. Jeffares & Peter Van der Kemp, ed., Irish Literature: The Eighteenth Century [Dublin: IAP 2006, p.169], in Books Ireland, April. 2006, p.77. The play was a hit in Dublin, but encountered a less friendly reception in London, where it closed after one performance with an apology from Macklin for his impertinence. In his apology, Macklin said "... there's a geography in humour as well as in morals, which I had not previously considered."

Irish legends have it that the Milesians came from the northern part of Spain to Ireland in the later Bronze Age. Here are excerpts from an article in the Irish Times of Monday, February 16, 2009:

"Genetic studies show our closest relatives are found in Galicia and the Basque region ...

"Our closest relatives are found in various parts of Galicia and the Basque country according to genetic studies led by Prof Dan Bradley of Trinity College Dublin’s Smurfit Institute of Genetics. He presented his research over the weekend at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Chicago.

"He was joined by Queen’s University Belfast archaeologist and linguist Prof James Mallory who talked about efforts to link these DNA studies with the transmission of languages across western Europe. ...

"Prof Bradley and colleagues have done extensive genetic analysis into where the Irish came from and how they got to Ireland. He studies genes associated with the Y chromosome, a genetic inheritance that comes via the father.

"By tracking the presence of certain Y chromosome markers he can travel back in time to map our relatedness to others across Europe. ...

"The human data definitively showed that our strongest relatedness was with the northern Iberian peninsula, with this genetic signal strongest for the Irish living today in the west of Ireland. These in turn were likely the closest relatives of the migrants who originally settled in Ireland.

"Genetic studies of Irish fauna also showed this distinctive signal, he said. 'The Irish badgers are Spanish, but the British badgers are not. The fauna of Ireland seems to be divergent. How does one explain this, he asked.

"The most likely explanation was that the island was settled by migrants from northern Spain as the glaciers that covered Ireland from the last ice age melted away. 'It seems to me that most animals in Ireland came by boat. There seems to have been some communication with southern Europe.'

"The Book of Invasions from the 8th century talked about an invasion by the Spanish king Milesius, he said.

"His group also looked for genetic linkages between people sharing a common surname, something passed along from the male lineage like the Y chromosome.

"They found linkages that traced back, to the famous Ui Neill kindred, from whom Niall Noigiallagh, Niall of the nine hostages was descended. ..."

See: Researchers Trace Roots of Irish and Wind Up in Spain by Nicholas Wade published on March 23, 2000, in the National Science/Health section of the New York Times; Basques are Brothers of the Celts, an article of April 3, 2001, by Robert Highfield of The Daily Telegraph; and We are not Celts at all but Galicians, an article of September 10, 2004, by Brian Donnelly of The Herald (London).

For a history of the Milesians, see Triskelle—Milesians. See also: Timeless Myths—Celtic Mythology—Milesians:

"The following family trees show both the ancestors and descendants of Míl, founder and eponym of the Milesian, the true Gaelic people of Ireland. The Milesians were the fifth and last Celtic people to invade and settle in Ireland. The family trees were extracted from the fifth volume of Lebor Gabálá Erenn: The Taking of Ireland (translated and edited by R. A. Stewart Macalister)."

See also, on Timeless Myths, the page on the Book of Invasions:

"The people of Ireland in medieval times had never believed that the Gaelic speaking people were native of their land. They had believed that Ireland was invaded and settled by successive Celtic tribes over different periods. Their history is based largely upon the pseudo-historical Lebor Gabala, translated into English as the 'Book of Invasions', and Cath Maige Tuired, or the 'Second Battle of Maige Tuired'."

And here is a quotation from Tapestry: Weaving the Myth, History, and Archeology of Ancient Ireland.- The Milesians:

"Once again, a better organized force overcame the defenders unused to large-scale invasions and Sovereignty of Ireland passed to the Milesians in the Year of the World 2746, or 1268 BC. The mythological invasions of Ireland was over. The arrival of the Milesians coincides exactly with the Late Bronze Age (13th - 9th centuries BC)."

Ui Neill Haplotype

In 2005, members of the faculty of Trinity College in Dublin announced the discovery of an "Irish Modal Haplotype" (IMH) consisting of families with a likely historical relationship to the Ui Neill dynasty of Northwestern Ireland. Four of the seventeen markers used in the Trinity College study are not used in the Family Tree DNA 67 marker test. The four markers not used are marked by an NU in the fourth row of the table immediately below. (I have included in the fourth row the Family Tree DNA locus numbers in order to facilitate comparison.) My personal DNA matches exactly the IMH 17-marker haplotype published by the team from Trinity College:

*DYS389B is calculated by subtracting the DYS389-1 repeat score (13) from that of DYS389-2 (29).

+DYS 461 has been adjusted upwards by 2 in accordance with instructions by authors of the article.

See: A Y-Chromosome Signature of Hegemony in Gaelic Ireland, Laoise T. Moore, Brian McEvoy, Eleanor Cape, Katharine Simms, and Daniel G. Bradley. American Journal of Human Genetics. 2006 February; 78(2): 334–338. (Published online 2005 December 8. PMCID: PMC1380239; Copyright © 2005 by The American Society of Human Genetics.) The authors were associated with the Smurfit Institute of Genetics of Trinity College, Dublin, except Katharine Simms, who was associated with the School of Histories and Humanities of Trinity College. This article is referred to below as the Moore/Trinity study.

Here are a few quotations from the article:

"Samples were also typed for 17 microsatellites—DYS19, DYS388, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS434, DYS435, DYS436, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS389I, DYS389B (calculated by subtracting the DYS389I repeat score from that of DYS389II), DYS460, DYS461, and DYS462"

"IMH 17-marker haplotype with use of the loci as ordered above is 14-12-25-11-14-13-9-11-12-15-12-12-13-16-11-10-11"

"The IMH distribution is uneven, showing a distinct frequency peak in northwestern Ireland ..."

"The Y chromosomes of 59 men possessing names with a purported common origin within the Uí Néill genealogies were collected and genotyped for 17 Y-chromosome STRs. The phylogenetic relationships between these Y-chromosome haplotypes ... were reconstructed ..."

"The Uí Néill sample population was composed of the following surnames (sample number): (O’)Gallagher (12), (O’)Boyle (9), (O’)Doherty (5), O’Donnell (4), O’Connor (3), Cannon (3), Bradley (2), O’Reilly (2), Flynn (2), (Mc)Kee (2), Campbell (1), Devlin (1), Donnelly (1), Egan (1), Gormley (1), Hynes (1), McCaul (1), McGovern (1), McLoughlin (1), McManus (1), McMenamin (1), Molloy (1), O’Kane (1), O’Rourke (1), and Quinn (1)."

The Irish Modal Haplotype (IMH) of the Moore/Trinity study was determined by an analysis of the Y-DNA of 59 members of 25 families traditionally associated with the Ui Neill. Gallagher (Donegal), Boyle (Donegal), Doherty (Donegal), O'Donnell (Donegal), Connor (Kerry) and Cannon (Donegal) made up 36 members of the 59 whose DNA whose Y-DNA was studied. (The counties in parenthesis indicates where the surname was most common in the 19th century according to Irish Ancestors.) Other names used in the study were primarily associated with the following counties: Bradley (Derry), Reilly (Cavan), Flynn (Cork), McKee (Down), Campbell (Down), Devlin (Tyrone), Donnelly (Tyrone), Egan (Tipperary), Gormley (Tyrone), Hynes (Galway), McCaul (Monaghan), McGovern (Cavan). McLoughlin (Donegal). McManus (Fermanagh), McMenamin (Donegal and Tyrone), Molloy (Offaly), Kane (Derry), Rourke (Leitrim), Quinn (Tyrone).

Here are the first 10 of the 59 samples displayed in the table in the supplementary data to the paper. The second column in the basic table lists an inferred haplogroup of R1b3xR1b3f for all ten samples, and I have omitted that column. The authors say that the members of the "Irish modal haplotype" that they have found "together with its one mutational step (IMH = 1) neighbors, amount to 8.2% of the island sample." The table listing the 59 samples lists 12 samples that exactly match the IMH modal and 15 samples that are a "one-step derivative." The other 32 samples differ by more than one step at one marker from their standard Irish modal haplotype. (See FTDNA Genetic Distance & Family Group Assignments and Computing Genetic Distances.) Sample UN09, for example, has a one-step difference at 5 separate locations, and would be considered a 5 step difference.

*DYS389B is calculated by subtracting the DYS389-1 repeat score from that of DYS389-2.

+In restating this result, the authors say to add 2 to DYS 461, changing it from 10 to 12.

Of the 59 samples selected, I counted 12 that matched the IMH exactly:

Of the 59 samples selected, I counted 15 more that differed from IMH by one marker:

Of the remaining 32 of the 59 sample markers, 9 differed at 2 markers, 6 differed at 3 markers, 5 differed at 4 markers, 8 differed at 5 markers, and 4 differed at 6 or more markers.

Less than half of the 59 samples (I count 26) fall into David Wilson's 25/11/14 R1b variety at DYS 390, 391, and 392. (See the next section of this page.)

The IMH is stated in a different format on ySearch:

Irish Modal Haplotype (FAW2E on ySearch) (DYS389B is not listed; 389-2 is listed instead, which is DYS 389-2 (29) minus DYS389B (16) = DYS 389-1 (13).)

* the repeat number for allele DYS461 reported in the paper (10) has been increased by 2 to 12, as recommended in notes on the web page MolPopGen : Data and Resources and confirmed by author Dan Bradley.

John D. McLaughlin and other experts quoted below support my non-expert guess that any relationship of the McGoughs with the Ui Neill arises from an ancestor of Niall of the Nine Hostages. McGough means son of Eochaidh and there were many Eochaidhs who were ancestors and relatives of Niall. Niall's father was Eochaidh Muighmheadoin. Eochaidh's great-grandfather was Cairbre Liffeacher. One of Cairbre's sons was Eochaidh Doimhlen (who was not a "king," but who was a brother of Niall's great-grandfather, Fiacha Sraibhtine who was a king). Eochaidh Doimhlen was father of the three Collas. See my page: Irish Kings (Niall is king #126). See also my page: Colla da Chrioch, First King of Oriel.

In pre-Norman times, Eochaid was the fifth most popular first name for a male in Ireland. Eochu, a diminutive of Eochaid, was the fifteenth most popular. See: 100 Most Popular Men's Names in Early Medieval Ireland compiled by Heather Rose Jones. The name was carried down through history, and, in some cases, probably can be traced back to Eochaidh (Eochu) Muighmheadoin, Eochaidh Doimhlen, and their ancestors, and in other cases to any one of several other Eochaids listed in the Irish annals. The name Eochaid appears frequently in the lists of Irish kings, especially those from northern Ireland. Niall was the forty-fourth most popular name in the same survey. See: Index of Names in Irish Annals: Eochaid, Echuid / Eochaidh and Index of Names in Irish Annals: Eochu by Mari Elspeth nic Bryan (Kathleen M. O'Brien). (The lists commence in 465 AD.)

Wilson's Recognition of a "Northwest Irish Variety" Cluster

David Wilson was the first to identify the cluster that the Moore/Trinity study associated with the Ui Neill and called the "Irish Modal Haplotype". Wilson called the cluster the "Northwest Irish Variety" of the "25/11/14 variety" (after the modal values found at DYS 390, 391 and 392). He started with an analysis of a 2003 study by Cristian Capelli and others: A Y Chromosome Census of the British Isles (Current Biology, Vol. 13, 979–984, May 27, 2003). Later, Wilson added a "/Lowland Scotland" to the designation because the frequency of the cluster in Lowland Scotland roughly matched that in Northern Ulster. See: The Northwest Irish Variety of Y-DNA Haplogroup R (A Distinct Y-DNA Variety Clustered in NW Ireland and Parts of Scotland Is Associated with SNP M222 and Constitutes Haplogroup R1b1c7) (Original Title: Evidence for a Distinct R1b Variety Clustered in Ireland and Scotland dated December 2, 2004.)

"Data in Capelli's 2003 study (links above), supplemented by relevant records from the Ysearch data base, constitute evidence of a distinct variety of R1b in the British Isles. This variety can be considered the 25/11/14 variety after the modal values found at DYS 390, 391 and 392. In regular R1b, the modal value for 390 is 24; for 392 it is 13.

"In 1601 haplotypes tallied in Capelli's data table, 60 show 25/14 at 390/392. Of these, 47 are of the 25/11/14 variety, and the remaining 13 show 10 at DYS391. These instances are geographically clustered in Ireland and along the west coast of Britain from Wales to the Orkneys. A few are spread out in Southern Scotland. ..."

"Guided by those indicators, I extracted from Ysearch additional haplotypes that matched this pattern. The primary discriminator was 14 at DYS 392. In addition to that value I filled out the search panel with the following seven markers to restrict hits to R1b: 388=12; 426=12; 459a=9; 459b=10; 455=11; 454=11; and 438=12. From the collected records I then excluded records of duplicate surnames in order not to bias the data. I allowed duplicates to remain in two cases where it was obvious the same-surname individuals stood at some genetic distance from one another. After the cull, 73 records remained. From those records I compiled the data reported in the tables below.

"Surnames in the 73-record data set are preponderantly Irish and Scottish.

"In short, the following modal differences can be seen in 25/11/14 R1b compared to standard R1b

Modal values at 385a, b are 11/13 rather than 11/14
Modal value at 448 is 18 rather than 19
Modal value at 449 is 30 rather than 29
Modal value at 456 is 17 rather than 16
Modal value at 607 is 16 rather than 15
Modal value at CDYa is solidly 37 rather than 36/37
Modal value at CDYb is 39 rather than 38

And obviously, since it is part of the definition, the modal value at 390 is 25 rather than 24"

McLaughlin of Dun na nGall

Several good articles on the DNA readings of the Northwest Irish (NWI) haplotype will be found under DNA on John D. McLaughlin's website: McLaughlin of Dún na nGall. In his article entitled Ui Neill DNA, McLaughlin assigned the surnames used in the Trinity study to the following clan affiliations:

Cenel Eoghain: Bradley, Gormley, Devlin, Donnelly, McLoughlin, O'Kane, Campbell, McCaul, Quinn ("Note: Campbell and McCaul are in this case both probably anglicized forms of MacCawell.")

Cenel Conaill: O'Gallagher, O'Boyle, O'Doherty, O'Donnell, Cannon, McMenamin

Connachta: O'Connor, O'Reilly, Flynn, Hynes, McGovern, McManus, O'Rourke

Unknown: McKee, Egan, Molloy

McLaughlin then includes pedigree charts showing the traditional descent of these families from Niall Noígiallach "of the Nine Hostages," and Niall's ancestors, including his father, Eochaidh Mugmedon. He points out that the DNA of many of O'Neills now in northwest Ireland does not match the so-called Ui Neill DNA.

"Conspicuously absent from the list of surnames identified by the Trinity College team as descended from the Nial 'of the Nine Hostages' were the O'Neills, although a previous sampling included 80 O'Neill DNA samples. Also absent from the list were surnames associated with the southern Ui Neill (although MacLoughlin and Molloy may have been intended as representatives).

"The following table of DNA markers has been identified (and since confirmed by SNP testing [M222+] as the Ui Neill DNA signature, also known as the Northwest Irish DNA signature. Markers in 'bold' are the most important markers. A match at all or most of these important markers virtually assures one of being descended from the Ui Neill. This is referred to as the Ui Neill or NW Irish modal."

"The Ui Neill or NW Irish Modal:

"The Connachta (descended from brothers of Nial) also match the Ui Neill modal and they cannot in any sense be called Ui Neill (descendents of Nial). The common ancestor of all three therefore must precede Nial himself—how far back is a matter of dispute among DNA experts. Trinity places the common ancestor at about the time of Nial—others disagree and say the common ancestor might have lived as much as 4,000 or more years ago. The jury is still out on the dating but one thing is sure—Nial 'of the Nine Hostages' is not the common ancestor of the Cenel Eoghain, Cenel Conaill and Connachta. It must go back further than him. How far back is the only question."

Under his section on The O'Neills, McLaughlin points out:

"The most startling revelation to date of the Trinity study is that the O'Neills, by pedigree kin to the McLaughlins of Tirconnell, do not match the Ui Neill modal at all!

"An earlier DNA sampling by the Trinity study examined the DNA of 80 O'Neills from all over Ireland. In Ulster they tested some 30 O'Neills - and of these 30 at most only 5 matched the Ui Neill modal. The largest body of O'Neills in Ulster did not match the Ui Neill at all. In the Ysearch database, several McShanes (said to descend from the O'Neills of the Fews in Tyrone) matched the other O'Neills but not the Ui Neill modal.

"The Trinity study used a lot of non-standard DNA markers so it's difficult to compare their results to DNA samples listed in Ysearch (mostly from Family Tree DNA). But the first 12 markers are the same as those used by other labs so a minimal comparison can be obtained. The following is one DNA sample from the large group of O'Neills from Ulster who do not match the Ui Neill modal. ..."

McLaughlin is convincing in his conclusion that the common ancestors of these groups precede Niall of the nine Hostages:

"Although DNA research has found that the Connachta, Cenel Conaill and Cenel Eoghain tribes are indeed linked as the pedigrees state (if not exactly in the way the pedigrees link them), there are further unexplained mysteries to the Ui Neill story. In addition to the above clans in the NW of Ireland, a large number of Scottish clans also match the Ui Neill modal, including a number of obviously non-Celtic surnames such as Wilson or Robertson. The Ui Neill modal is also found in families from England, such as Blanchard, Clarkson, Moore, Knowles, Drake, Heathering. A limited number of DNA samples also come from such diverse areas as France, Germany, and Denmark. It has become perfectly obvious that although these families share a common ancestor with the Ui Neill of Ireland, few if any of them are actually descended from the Ui Neill of Ireland. For the Scottish surnames matching the modal, FTDNA places the total percentage at about 6% of the Scottish samples.

"In other words the Ui Neill in Ireland are simply a sub-set of a larger tribal grouping, some of whom can be found in various locations in Scotland, England, France and Germany. The implications of this are still unknown at the present. No one has yet ventured to assign a name to that larger tribal grouping. If O Rahilly is correct their origins could go back to Gaul or elsewhere in continental Europe, perhaps even Spain."

McLaughlin goes on to provide a critique of some of the conclusions drawn from the Trinity study. See also these articles:

O'Neill DNA—to which McLaughlin provides a link.

Insights Into the O’Neills of Ireland from DNA Testing by Edwin B. O’Neill and John D. McLaughlin, Journal of Genetic Genealogy 2:18-26, 2006.

Irish Heritage DNA Project with Focus on R1b1b2e (R1b1c7) - Northwest Irish Modal on the Irish Heritage FNA Project.

Famous DNA—Niall of the Nine Hostages

Ui Neill Markers in McEvoy/Bradley Study of 2006

The table below is based on an analysis in Y-chromosomes and the extent of patrilineal ancestry in Irish surnames by Brian McEvoy and Daniel G. Bradley, published on the Internet on January 12, 2006, and in hard copy in the March, 2006, edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics, volume 119, pages 212–219. (McEvoy B, Bradley DG. 2006. Y-chromosomes and the extent of patrilineal ancestry in Irish surnames. Hum Genet 2006 March; 119:212–219).

The analysis of McEvoy and Bradley was based in part on Y-DNA samples collected from 1125 Irish men from all parts of Ireland, and bearing 43 different surnames. McEvoy and Bradley used the same 17 STR loci as were used in the Moore/Trinity study discussed above. (Thirty-one of the samples used in the McEvoy/Bradley analysis were first reported in the Moore/Trinity study.) Of the 1125 samples, I found only these 21 exact matches to the Ui Neill 17 markers:

Study ID	Surname	Origin*	Haplogroup	Sample Size	Comments
B09	Bradley	Ulster	R1b3	30
B11	Bradley	Ulster	R1b3	30
B13	Bradley	Ulster	R1b3	30
B17	Bradley	Ulster	R1b3	30
B36	Byrne	Leinster	R1b3	60
CT11	Coulter	Ulster	R1b3	11
EG07	Egan	Munster	R1b3	20
EG19	Egan	Connaught	R1b3	20
HY15	Haughey	Ulster	R1b3	19
KY16	Kelly	Leinster	R1b3	55
KY53	Kelly	Connacht	R1b3	55
KY60	Kelly	Munster	R1b3	55
KEN4	Kennedy	Connacht	R1b3	67
KEN36	Kennedy	Connacht	R1b3	67
KEN44	Kennedy	Connacht	R1b3	67
G39	McGuinness	Leinster	R1b3	99
G113	McGuinness	Ulster	R1b3	99
CC57	O'Connor	Connacht	R1b3	9
CC62	O'Connor	Connacht	R1b3	9
ON62	O'Neill	Ulster	R1b3	80
RY38	Ryan	Connacht	R1b3	62

*The origin is usually the grandfather's place of birth, but sometimes a father's or great-grandfather's place of birth.

Here is a repeat of the 17 marker test results from the Moore/Trinity study:

Persons with origins in Ulster with exact matches with these numbers in the McAvoy/Bradley study were mostly Bradleys. Bradley was a name that, in the mid 1850s was most common in counties Derry, Donegal, and Tyrone, according to Irish Ancestors. Griffith's Valuation listed 389 Bradleys in Derry, 202 in Donegal, and 166 in Tyrone. There were 73 Bradleys in county Down. Only 9 were listed in county Monaghan, where the majority of McGough families were located. Irish Ancestors' surname dictionary lists Bradley with the Gaelic Ó Brolcháin and says:

"Bradley. Very numerous: widespread, especially Ulster and Leinster. Ir. Ó Brolacháin. An Ulster sept of note in Derry. It seems likely that some Bradleys are of English origin as the name is widespread there. SGG.

"Ó Brolcháin. Brollaghan, Bradley: an-líonmhar mar Bradley i dtuaisceart Uladh. Bhí baint acu le Doire le fada. Clann ionráiteach sa mheán-aois: Mael Íosa Ó Brolcháin (+1086) a chum "Deus meus adiuva me", iomann atá i bhfeidhm fós. Bhí craobh i gCorcaigh faoin mbréagriocht Bradley, ach is cosúil gur sloinne Sasanach Bradley i Cúige Laighean. IF.

"Ó Brolcháin. rare: Dublin etc. Ir. Lang. See Bradley."

From Under the Oak: Saint Máel Ísu Ua Brolcháin:

"Máel Ísu Ua Brolcháin was a religious poet from Donegal who was a member of the Armagh community. His death in Lismore is mentioned in the Annals of Innisfallen in 1086. He is recognized as one of the primary poets of his age, and there is a full-page account of his life and family in the 16th-century Acta Sanctorum by Colgan. He was educated in the monastery of Both Chonais, Gleenely, beside the present-day Culdaff, Co. Donegal. His death is mentioned in all major annals ..."

Flaithbertach Ua Brolcháin , who died about 1175. was abbot of Derry and head of Columban churches in Ireland.

John D. McLaughlin of St. Louis posted this email on RootsWeb, which I quote in part:

"GENEALOGY-DNA-L Archives
Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2006-02 > 1140254666

"From: Lochlan@aol.com
Subject: Re: [DNA] Scots/Dalriata and NW Irish/Ui Neill - those clans
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2006 04:24:26 EST

"There has been much speculation on this list on Ui Neill surnames in Scotland. I can perhaps give an example of one such surname at least - O Brolchain - which appears to have come to Scotland in connection with the church at Iona. The O Brolchains were a royal family of the northern Ui Neill, descended from Eogan, son of Nial. One of the line (Suibhne mean) was a High King of Ireland, (d. 628 AD). In later years they lost their political power but became heavily involved with the church at Derry (Columcille's church). The name later appears in records at Iona and Black (Surnames of Scotland) gives examples of the surname in later Scottish records. The name has been curiously misanglicized as Bradley and even Brody.

"The O Brolchain Family
Notes from Reeves "Life of St. Columba," by Adamnan

"XLVII - Flaithbertach Coarb 1150-1175. [Introduction, p. clxxx]

"Surnamed Ua Brolchain. The family of Ua Brolchain were descended from Suibhne Meann, who was king of Ireland in 615, and belonged to the Cinel Feradhaich, a clan so called from Feradhach, grandfather of that Suibhne Meann, and fourth in descent from Eoghan, the founder of the Cinel-Eoghain race. The Cinel Feradhiach are now territorially represented by the barony of Clogher, in the south of the county of Tyrone. The first of the O'Brolchan family who is mentioned in the Annals was Maelbrighde Ua Brolchan, styled prim saer Erren ['chief mason of Ireland'- Od Vers], whose obit is entered in the ann. Ult. at 1029. From him probably the masonic art of the family was derived, which was cultivated by Flaherty, and practiced by Donnell, with such success. ...

"The next was Maeliosa, the lector whose obit is entered above at 1086. He spent a part of his early life at Both-chonais in Inishowen, in the neighbourhood of which some of his writings were preserved in Colgan's time; and afterwards he founded a church seemingly at Lismore, called the derteac Maeiliosa, 'Oratory of Maeliosa,' which was burned in 1116.

"He died on the 16th of January, justly celebrated for his learning (Colgan, Acta SS. p. 108). His son, Aedh, succeeded him in the calling of professor, and died in 1095. Two years afterwards a son of Maelbrighde, surnamed Mac-an-tsaeir, who was bishop of Kildare, died. Maelcolaim Ua Brolchain, bishop of Armagh, died in 1122; and Maelbrighde Ua Brolchain, also bishop of Armagh, died, Jan. 29, 1139. The latter was probably father of the coarb Flaithbertach, whom the Annals of Ulster, abt 1164, called Flaithbertach mac in epsuic hUi Brolcain, 'Flaithbertach, son of the bishop Ua Brolchan,' a lineage by no means in accordance with the delicacy of the Four Masters, and which, when copying the entry, they divest of its objectionable character, in simply calling him Flaithbertach Ua Brolchain. ..."

John D. McLaughlin has examined the McEvoy/Bradley list of 1125 Irish men from all parts of Ireland (bearing 43 different surnames) and prepared a list of those who appear to be R1b1c7. I assume that the 12 markers he used for comparison are the 12 markers of the 17 used in the Moore/Trinity study that are part of the FTDNA 37 marker test. Here is his posting on RootsWeb:

DNA-R1B1C7-L Archives
Archiver > DNA-R1B1C7 > 2008-02 > 1202022596

From: Lochlan@aol.com
Subject: Re: [DNA-R1B1C7] Southern Ui Neill DNA
Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2008 02:09:56 EST

"I put together a list of surnames which appear to be R1b1c7 in the Trinity spreadsheet. This is from their DNA study of 1125 or so surnames spread across Ireland and not the smaller Ui Neill study. Since it's only 12 markers I couldn't be sure all of the samples were R1b1c7. My main criteria at 12 markers was DYS 390 = 25, DYS 385ab = 11, 13 and DYS 392 = 14.

"I don't know if there are any surprises here or not. If the totals do not agree it's because some samples said 'don't know' for the origin. For me the biggest surprise is probably McGuinness in Ulster with 11 samples and 10 in Connacht. The main body of the clan in NE Ireland is haplogroup I. We even see it in Munster in a few McCarthy and O'Sullivan samples and in Leinster with some Kellys and Byrnes.

"Some of these surname samples are majority R1b1c7 (Bradley, Haughey, McGinley, McGinn, McGinty, McGovern, O'Connor, O'Reilly, O'Rourke - but these are all Ui Neill or Connachta surnames). In others you just see a few (O'Sullivan, McCarthy). There are 70 McCarthy samples in the file; 70 O'Sullivan samples. McGuinness has a huge number as well.

"I guess the lesson here is R1b1c7 can pop up anywhere, even in clans with pedigrees which are apparently not descended from Nial or his brothers. On the other hand all we see is a small scattering of R1b1c7 DNA among surnames that are not said to descend from Nial or his brothers. In some of the surnames it's unclear what their clan origins might be. The major exception to this statement would have to be the O'Neills, with 14 R1b1c7 samples out of 80.

Bradley 12 all in Ulster
Brady 1 Connacht
Byrne 9 5 in Ulster, 3 in Leinster
Coulter 1 in Ulster
Donohoe 2, 1 in Ulster
Dunleavy 5, 2 in Leinster, 1 in Munster, 1 in Connacht, 1 in Ulster
Egan 7, 4 in Munster, 2 in Connacht
Haughey 14, 13 in Ulster
Heaney 3, 2 in Ulster
Kelly 10, 5 in Leinster, 3 in Ulster, 1 in Connacht, 1 in Munster
Kennedy 8, 3 in Connacht, 2 in Ulster
McCarthy 2, both in Munster
McEvoy 2, 1 in Leinster
McGinley 15, all in Ulster
McGinn 12, 11 in Ulster
McGinty 12, 11 in Ulster
McGovern 7, 5 in Ulster, 2 in Connacht
McGuinness 25, 11 in Ulster, 10 in Connacht, 3 in Leinster
McNeice, 2 in Ulster
Murphy 8, 4 in Leinster, 4 in Ulster
O'Connor 4, all in Connacht
O'Gara 4, all in Ulster
O'Hara 1, in Connacht
O'Hare 12, 9 in Ulster, 2 in Leinster
O'Neill 14, 9 in Ulster, 2 in Leinster
O'Reilly 5, 4 in Ulster, 1 in Connacht
O'Rourke 2, 1 in Connacht, 1 in Leinster
O'Sullivan 2, 1 in Munster, 1 in Leinster
Rooney 2, 1 in Ulster, 1 in Leinster
Ryan 6, 2 in Munster, 3 in Connacht, 1 in Leinster

Totals

Ulster 126
Connacht 30
Leinster 26
Munster 11"

For more matches, see: Ui Neill Modal (M5UKQ) on John D. McLaughlin's website: McLaughlin of Dún na nGall (Donegal).

Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) Projection of Ui Neill Markers

Family Tree DNA has converted the 17-marker test used by the Trinity College study to their 12, 25 and 37 marker tests. The results of their conversion to their 12 and 25 marker tests have been published on their web page: Matching Niall Nóigiallach —Niall of the Nine Hostages, with this comment:

"While the signature is typical for R1b European males in general, it’s characterized by an 11, 13 at DYS 385a/b and a 14 at DYS 392 [all of which are my markers]. Within our second panel of markers the most distinctive results from this apparent Modal is the 15, 16, 16, 17 at DYS 464." [DYS 464 a, b, c and d, where my markers are 14, 16, 16, 17]

My 25 marker FTDNA signature differs from the so called Ui Neill signature (as projected by FTDNA) in two places: at DYS 449, the Ui Neill signature has a 30, my McGough has a 29; and at DYS 464a, Ui Neill has a 15; my McGough has a 14. The 30 for DYS 449 and the 15 for DYS 464a, the FTDNA O'Neill markers, are those given for the cluster that David Wilson calls the "Northwest Irish Variety."

The FTDNA projection is a subclade of the M222 (USP9Y+3636) haplotype whose latest FTDNA designation is R1b1b2a1b5 (ISOGG designation is R1b1b2a1b6b). See: Y-DNA Haplogroup R1b—FTDNA and ISOGG Haplotrees as of 8 June 2009 from Diana's Genealogy. Here is a posting by David Wilson on RootsWeb DNA-R1B1C7-L Archives:

"Subject: [R-M222] Yet another revised haplogroup name for the M222 branch
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 17:33:00 -0800

"In the new ISOGG tree, the proper branch label for M222 is R1b1b2a1b6b.

"FTDNA is still using the recently established label R1b1b2a1b5 for M222.

"As knowledge of SNPs and new branching points in the Y-DNA Tree expand, it will be harder and harder to keep all researchers and tree keepers completely informed. That is why there is a growing tendency to refer to branches of the tree by their major alphabetic identifier and the defining SNP -- in the case of this group, R-M222. A SNP's relative position on the tree may be subject to adjustment, but its identity is unchanging.

"David Wilson"

(David Wilson also cites an improved colorized version of a graphic "which shows the position of R-M222 in the second tier of the right-hand (red) group." See also: New Haplogroup R markers on DNA Heritage Blog and M222 Project Timelines and Objectives.)

While my Y-DNA matches exactly the 17 markers declared by the Moore/Trinity study to comprise the Ui Neill Haplotype, there are five one-step differences between my markers and those of the 37 marker FTDNA projection. See the tables below in this section. The 37 marker FTDNA projection contains only 12 of the 17 markers used in the Moore/Trinity study.

The 25 markers in the FTDNA 37 marker test that are not among the 17 markers used by the Moore/Trinity study are generally markers with a faster mutation rate. The mutations from this larger projection would tend to make earlier in history the time in which the progenitor of this DNA cluster lived. See: An Overview and Discussion of Various DNA Mutation Rates and DNA Haplotype Mutation Rates. Do the YSTR Haplotypes in some Y Chromosome Male Lines Mutate Faster Than in Other Male Lines? by Charles F. Kerchner, Jr., P.E. (Retired). John D. McLaughlin, who is much more knowledgeable in the area than I, does not share this conclusion. By an email of March 13, 2009, I told John:

"At 37 markers of the FTDNA projection, however, I have 5 one-step differences from the FTDNA projection. My conclusion is that this increases the chance that the progenitor of my McGough Y-DNA preceded Niall (Mac Eochadha or McGough) of the Nine Hostages."

Here is John's response in an email, also of March 13, 2009:

"I'm not sure that's a valid conclusion. The FTNDA projection of the Nial DNA is really a group modal. We now have about 500 M222 in our DNA project and there are probably over 1,500 samples in Ysearch and other databases. If you check all of them against the group modal in something like the McGee utility a Genetic difference of 5 is going to be pretty average for the group. Some of the extreme outliers can go to about 10-12 GD against the modal. Some are in the 0-4 range. They vary all over the map and no one has yet found any way to analyze the results.

"You would think there might be some kind of clear point at which it becomes obvious someone is not a descendant of Nial (d. 405 AD). But we just haven't found one. The latest TMRCA estimates for M222 are also all over the map. Some based on variance calculations say 400 AD. Others say 0 AD. Yet others say 200 BC.

"When I compare DNA results for Dohertys and McLaughlins, two large septs in Ireland said to descend from Nial with a lot of other M222 DNA nothing really stands out. There are a few families that seem consistently more diverse (greater GD from the modal) including the Ewings of Scotland. But in general these more diverse families average 6-7 against the group modal vs. 5-6 for Dohertys and McLaughlins. It's not a huge distance and no one is persuaded that one is older than the other."

"If you want to play around with this yourself I have the M222 DNA in a spreadsheet you can look at or download from the M222 web site. <http://clanmaclochlainn.com/R1b1c7/>.

"You might be interested in the M222 genetic distance file on the site. But I have to warn you, it's huge (22 Meg). It takes a while to download and display but it works better once you download it to your hard drive."

Here is a table showing all loci in the FTDNA 67 marker test where the number of my alleles differs from the FTDNA projection of the Ui Neill haplotype. The mutation rate for each locus is also shown.

FTDNA Locus	21	22	27	34	35	59	60
DYS	449	464a	GATA H4	CDY a*	CDY b	520	446
FTDNA Projection of Irish Modal Haplotype	30	15	11	38*	39	20	13
Hugh McGough Alleles	29	14	10	37	38	21	12
Mutation Rate	0.00838	0.00566	0.00208	0.03531	0.03531	0.00245	0.00365
Mutations per 1000 years	34%	23%	8%	141%	141%	10%	15%

CDYa was changed from 37 to 38 on August 15, 2007, to reflect the statistics determined from a larger sample set.

Compare the mutation rates and number of mutations per thousand years to those of the 17 markers used in the Moore Trinity study that are not used by FTDNA:

DYS	436	437	461	462
Irish Modal Haplotype	12	15	12	11
Hugh McGough Alleles	12	15	12	11
Mutation Rate			0.00233	0.00053
Mutations per 1000 years			9%	2%

David Wilson explains the FTDNA projection of the Moore/Trinity College Irish Modal Haplotype, in his article A Look at the Irish Northwest Modal—R1b1b2e (R1b1c7)—North West Irish Haplotype Modal —Review on the website of the Ireland Y-DNA Project

"In response to the Trinity Research, FTDNA has created a 12, 25 and 37 set of Y-Chromosome markers of 'Niall Nóigiallach—Niall of the Nine Hostages'. This is based on Trinity College's Research and findings. For this data, see: MolPopGen : Data and Resources. You can find out more from the FTDNA page devoted to this by Clicking here ... and you should look at Dr John McEwan's detailed analysis of various Irish and Scottish Haplotypes here ...

"How did FTDNA arrive at 37 markers if the Trinity Research only contains 13 of FTDNA's standard 37 markers? - FTDNA used a predictive process based on their large Database. In other words the missing markers were 'filled' by a straightforward process which is commonly used to create Modal types. ..."

"If I have an exact match to the markers of Niall of the Nine Hostages what does that mean? Basically NOT that you are related to this potentially fictional character but that you have a Haplotype called R1b1c7 or the Northwest Irish Modal Haplotype. If the scientific data holds up, a large percentage of the surnames and dynasties associated with the Cineill Eoghain and Cineil Coneill, to name just two of the many 'tribes of the Connachta', should have higher percentages of this Haplotype."

The FTDNA projection of the Ui Neill markers has changed at least once as more data became available. The original projection gave a value of CDYa of 37 at FTDNA locus number 34. My number of alleles at CDYa is also 37. On August 15, 2007, the modal value for CDYa in the FTDNA projection was changed from 37 to 38 to reflect statistics determined from a larger sample set than the 69-member set originally used by FTDNA. This had the effect of changing me from conformity with the FTDNA projection at this locus to making me one step removed at this locus.

Matching Niall Nóigiallach—Niall of the Nine Hostages states:

"Of note to Family Tree DNA customers, this signature is found in .6 of 1% of the entire Family Tree DNA database. It is characterized by the following Markers when our 12 marker test is applied:

Locus	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
DYS#	393	390	19*	391	385a	385b	426	388	439	389-1	392	389-2
FTDNA Projection of Irish Modal Haplotype	13	25	14	11	11	13	12	12	12	13	14	29
Hugh McGough Alleles	13	25	14	11	11	13	12	12	12	13	14	29
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	13	25	14	11	11	13	12	12	12	13	14	29

"While the signature is typical for R1b European males in general it’s characterized by an 11, 13 at DYS 385a/b and a 14 at DYS 392. Within our second panel of markers the most distinctive results from this apparent Modal is the 15, 16, 16, 17 at DYS 464."

Locus	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
DYS#	458	459a	459b	455	454	447	437	448	449	464a**	464b**	464c**	464d**
FTDNA Projection of Irish Modal Haplotype	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	18	30	15	16	16	17
Hugh McGough Alleles	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	18	29	14	16	16	17
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	18	30	15	16	16	17

FTDNA comments that "a more complete signature of Ui Niall can be found at www.ysearch.org." (User ID M5UKQ). YSearch displays 67 markers of results. The order varies from the loci adopted by FTDNA. The signature is there referred to as the "R-M222 Modal Haplotype." Immediately below are the alleles at FTDNA's loci numbered 26 through 37. See: The Irish Modal Haplotype of NW Ireland under Black_Irish · Black Irish & J Haplogroup (updated 19 February 19, 2007, by David Wilson).

Locus	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37
DYS#	460	GATA H4	YCA II a	YCA II b	456	607	576	570	CDY a*	CDY b	442	438
FTDNA Projection of Irish Modal Haplotype	11	11	19	23	17	16	18	17	38*	39	12	12
Hugh McGough Alleles	11	10	19	23	17	16	18	17	37	38	12	12
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	11	11	19	23	17	16	18	17	38*	39	12	12

CDYa is listed as 38 for R1b1c7. "Note on CDYa: set summarized in the marker tables above." from The Northwest Irish Variety of Y-DNA Haplogroup R—A Distinct Y-DNA Variety Clustered in NW Ireland and Parts of Scotland Is Associated with SNP M222 and Constitutes Haplogroup R1b1c7 by David Wilson.

See: the analysis in Y-chromosomes and the extent of patrilineal ancestry in Irish surnames by Brian McEvoy and Daniel G. Bradley, published on the Internet on January 12, 2006, and in hard copy in the March, 2006, edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics, volume 119, pages 212–219.

My DNA readings are included under McGough in the tables on the DNA Results and Analysis page of the Irish Heritage DNA Project. There is an R1b1c7 Haplogroup Project on the website of World Family Tree. It is now known as the R-M222 project. David Wilson is the administrator. John D. McLaughlin is the co-administrator. See: R-M222 Haplogroup Project (formerly the R1b1c7 Project) .

"The R-M222 (formerly R1b1c7) project is open to all individuals who have a derived (i.e., positive) test result on the M222 SNP. The project also welcomes individuals who have not been SNP tested, but whose haplotypes show most of the following values (my values are shown in red and in parenthesis):

DYS390 = 25 (25)
DYS385b = 13 (13)
DYS392 = 14 (14)
DYS448 = 18 (18)
DYS449 = 30 (29)
DYS464 = 15-16-16-17 (14-16-16-17)
DSY456 = 17 (17)
DYS607 = 16 (16)
DYS413 = 21-23 (21)
DYS481 = 25 or 26 (FTDNA convention; = 24 or 25 EthnoAncestry convention)* (25)
DYS714 = 24 (?)

"In most cases the first three STRs in the list above are adequate to establish membership in this group. If you have at least two of those three values and differ by only one at the mismatching marker, you are very probably (though not certainly) a member of the R-M222 haplogroup.

[The list above does not include several of the most stable of the markers used by Evoy/Bradley: DYS434, DYS436, DYS462 (all weighted 9); DYS435, DYS438 (all weighted 8); DYS461 (weighted 7); DYS389B (weighted 6); DYS 460 (weighted 5).]

My FTDNA 67 Marker Test (Plus 4 Additional Tests)

After the Y-DNA testing of 25 markers was done for me by Family Tree DNA of Houston, Texas, I expanded my test to 67 markers. In the tables below are the complete results as produced by Y-DNA Family Tree (user ID DZ9MP; kit number 27181).

There was another McGough whose Y-DNA test had been published by Family Tree DNA as of November 25, 2008 (user ID PRV3E) - a 37 marker test of John Lorentz McGough. He is a descendant of Andrew McGough who was born in Ireland in about 1808 and who, with his son James McGough, arrived from Ireland in New York aboard the Coronet on November 21, 1851, and settled in Pampas township, DeKalb county, Illinois. See my pages: John and Peter McGough—Two Brothers in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, under DeKalb county, and McGoughs and McGues in the 1860 Census of the United States under DeKalb county, Illinois.

A 37 marker test for a second McGough, Thomas Hurley McGough, was published by Family Tree DNA on May 15, 2009 (user ID JNSE3). He is descended from Mathew McGough, who was born in May of 1832 in Ireland and died on March 8, 1911, in Jefferson county (Birmingham), Alabama. He was buried in Southside Catholic Cemetery, Birmingham. His parents were Patrick McGough, who was born in Ireland in about 1800, and his wife Mary. See: He married Catharine Flemming on February 12, 1866, at St. Mary's Church in Nashville, Davidson county, Tennessee. Catherine was born in county Meath, Ireland, in June of 1845. The 1900 census of Huntsville, Madison county, Alabama, shows this McGough family operating a bakery there. Catherine died on January 7, 1915, in Birmingham, Jefferson county, Alabama. Their son, Thomas Aloysious McGough, was born in Tennessee in about 1869, and died on May 1, 1947, in Birmingham.

There was also a test for a Gough, also known as McGough, from Gilford (Craigavon borough), county Armagh (or county Down), Northern Ireland. There are enough differences in the markers to indicate that none of these families bears a close relationship with our McGough family. In the tables below that display my 67 marker test, I include the numbers from the other McGough 37 marker tests and the Gough (aka McGough) 25 (or 26?) marker test. The differences between their markers and mine are displayed in red.

In the tables, I also include a row showing the number of alleles for the Ui Neill haplotype. In the tables, I originally used the term "R1b1c7 Modal Haplotype" for what is commonly called the Ui Neill haplotype, but this terminology has already become obsolete. I have changed the description to "R-M222 Modal Haplotype." For the R-M222 (R1b1c7) Modal Haplotype, go to ySearch (User ID M5UKQ). The R-M522 Modal Haplotype is the same as R1bSTR19Irish (McEwan).

My numbers are among the 430 records displayed on Sorted R1b1b2e (formerly R1b1c7) Haplotypes with Colorized Mutations from Modal Values (updated June 19, 2008: 431 records. Interim update Oct. 19, 2008. One record deleted.) Look for kit 27181, McGough.

In these tables, the differences from my markers (Hugh McGough Alleles) are marked in red.

PANEL 1 (1-12)

Locus	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
DYS#	393	390	19*	391	385a	385b	426	388	439	389-1	392	389-2
Hugh McGough Alleles	13	25	14	11	11	13	12	12	12	13	14	29
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	13	25	14	11	11	13	12	12	12	13	14	29
Undifferentiated (Mainstream) R1b1c (Wilson)	13	24	14	11	11	14	12	12	12	13	13	29
R1b (McEwan)	13	24	14	11	11	14	12	12	12	13	13	29
McGough JNSE3	13	25	14	11	11	14	12	12	12	13	14	29
McGough PRV3E	13	25	14	11	11	13	12	12	12	13	14	30
Gough, aka McGough	13	24	14	11	12	14	12	12	12	13	13	29
Mutations per 1000 years	3%	12%	6%	11%	9%	9%	0%	1%	19%	7%	2%	10%

* DYS19 is also known as DYS 394

 

PANEL 2 (13-25)

Locus	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
DYS#	458	459a	459b	455	454	447	437	448	449	464a**	464b**	464c**	464d**
Hugh McGough Alleles	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	18	29	14	16	16	17
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	18	30	15	16	16	17
Undifferentiated (Mainstream) R1b1c (Wilson)	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	19	29	15	15	17	17
R1b (McEwan)	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	19	29	15	15	17	17
McGough JNSE3	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	18	29	15	15	16	16
McGough PRV3E	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	17	31	14	16	17	17
Gough, aka McGough	17	9	10	11	11	25	15	17	30	15	15	17	17
Mutations per 1000 years	33%	5%	5%	1%	1%	11%	4%	5%	34%	23%	23%	23%	23%

**On 5/19/2003, the values of 464 a, b, c, and d were adjusted down by 1 point because of a change in Lab nomenclature.

 

PANEL 3 (26-37)

Locus	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37
DYS#	460	GATA H4	YCA II a	YCA II b	456	607	576	570	CDY a	CDY b	442	438
Hugh McGough Alleles	11	10	19	23	17	16	18	17	37	38	12	12
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	11	11	19	23	17	16	18	17	38	39	12	12
Undifferentiated (Mainstream) R1b1c (Wilson)	11	11	19	23	16	15	18	17	36	38	12	12
R1b (McEwan)	11	11	19	23	15	15	18	17	36	38	12	12
McGough JNSE3	12	10	19	23	17	16	17	16	37	38	12	12
McGough PRV3E	12	11	19	23	17	16	19	17	39	41	12	12
Mutations per 1000 years	16%	8%	5%	5%	29%	16%	41%	39%	141%	141%	13%	2%

 

PANEL 4 (38 - 47)

Locus	38	39	40	41	52	43	44	45	46	47
DYS#	531	578	395S1a	395S1b	590	537	641	472	406S1	511
Hugh McGough Alleles	11	9	15	16	8	10	10	8	10	10
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	11	9	15	16	8	10	10	8	10	10
Undifferentiated (Mainstream) R1b1c (Wilson)
Mutations per 1000 years	1%	0%	1%	1%	2%	2%	1%	0%	6%	5%

 

PANEL 5 (48 - 60)

Locus	48	49	50	51	52	53	54	55	56	57	59	59	60
DYS#	425	413a	413b	557	594	436	490	534	450	444	481	520	446
Hugh McGough Alleles	12	21	23	16	10	12	12	16	8	12	25	21	12
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	12	21	23	16	10	12	12	16	8	12	25	20	13
Undifferentiated (Mainstream) R1b1c (Wilson)	12
Mutations per 1000 years	1%	8%	8%	13%	1%	1%	1%	33%	1%	13%	22%	10%	15%

 

PANEL 6 (61 - 67)

Locus	61	62	63	64	65	66	67
DYS#	617	568	487	572	640	492	565
Hugh McGough Alleles	12	11	13	11	11	12	12
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	12	11	13	11	11	12	12
Mutations per 1000 years	2%	2%	4%	8%	1%	2%	3%

 

ADDITIONAL TESTS—Y-STR DNA-FP Panel 4 (These four markers are among the 17 markers used in the Moore/Trinity study, but are not part of the FTDNA 67 marker test.)

DYS#	461	462	434	435
Hugh McGough Alleles	12	11	9	11
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	12	11	9	11
Undifferentiated (Mainstream) R1b1c (Wilson)	12	11	9	11
Mutations per 1000 years	9%	2%

 

OTHER ALLELES IN R1b1c7, but not in the FTDNA 67 marker test or my additional tests.

	A10	635 C4	1B07*	441	445	452	463
R-M222 Modal Haplotype	13	23	10	13	12	11	22
Undifferentiated (Mainstream) R1b1c (Wilson)	13	23	10	13	12	11	22
Mutations per 1000 years	15%	9%	4%*	5%	12%	13%	8%

*My estimate. SMGF estimates the mutation rate of 1B07 as 0.000925. See a Septembr 28, 2005, posting on STR mutation rates by John Chandler on GENEALOGY-DNA-L Archives and Marsh Families DNA Project.

Other Studies of Y-DNA and Patrilineal Ancestry in Ireland

See: Genetic Investigation of the Patrilineal Kinship Structure of Early Medieval Ireland (PDF) by Brian McEvoy, Katharine Simms, and Daniel G. Bradley. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, volume 136, issue 4, pages 415–422 (March 18, 2008).

The table below is based on an analysis in Y-chromosomes and the extent of patrilineal ancestry in Irish surnames by Brian McEvoy and Daniel G. Bradley, published on the Internet on January 12, 2006, and in hard copy in the March, 2006, edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics, volume 119, pages 212–219. Dunleavy's and Haugheys are included because of the possibility that McGoughs are related to Eochaidh Mac Ardgail, number 46 on my list of Kings of Ulidia, some of whose descendants took the surname Haughey; Donn Sléibe ua Eochadha, number 56, and Maghnus Mac Duinnsleibhe [Ua Eochadha], number 67, some of whose descendants took the surnames Dunleavy or Haughey; and Ruaidhri Mac Duinnsleibhe [Ua Eochadha], also known as Rory Mac Donslevy O'Haughey, number 69.

* An extra 2 repeat units have been added to the DYS461 score for the purpose of making comparison with other Y-chromosome data.

The names in my table (except McGough) are all identified by the McEvoy/Bradley study as persons whose paternal grandparents were from Ulster. "Each Y-chromosome was genotyped for 19 rapidly mutating short tandem repeat (STR) loci. ... The homologous products DYS385A and DYS385B cannot be differentiated using these primers and therefore were not included in subsequent analyses. As the majority of the Y-chromosome does not reombine, the remaining 17STR loci together form highly informative and discriminating single haplotypes."

Of 19 Haugheys in the study, two match McGough exactly. The others are close to matching. The Dunleavy listed is from Leister. The origin of the O'Neill is unknown. As to the McMahons, see my page: A McGough—McMahon Connection? See The Livingston/Maclea/Boggs DNA Surname Project. (Includes groups of Dunleavys who fall within the Irish Modal Haplotype—that "have a more peculiarly North West Irish DNA signature that has been associated with the Ui Neill dynasty, 'Niall of the Nine Hostages' and the region of Donegal.")

Haplogroups and Haplotypes—R-M222 Modal Haplotype

As the material above indicates, the Irish modal haplotype is now generally regarded as connected with SNP R-M222.

"Haplogroups and SNPs (from Family Tree DNA)

"Your Y chromosome contains two types of ancestral markers. Short Tandem Repeats, STRs, are highly informative for tracing your recent ancestry. They will allow you to find matches in the last four to twelve generations. Meanwhile the Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, SNPs, help you understand your deep ancestry.

"SNPs are small 'mistakes' that occur in DNA. SNP mutations are rare. They happen at a rate of approximately one mutation every few hundred generations. When a SNP occurs it marks a point in the shared Y chromosome tree. Each mutation event can be linked to a time and place in history. By testing for SNPs it is possible to retrace the history of a paternal line from ancient Africa."

Thus far, I have had neither SNP nor deep clade testing.

Here are definitions from FTDNA's Family Tree DNA Glossary.

Haplogroup
A genetic population group associated with early human migrations and which can today be associated with a geographic region. It is important to note that even though female and male haplogroups may have the same letters, their definitions are different.

Haplotype
One person's set of values for the markers that have been tested. Two individuals that match exactly on all markers have the same haplotype.

Modal haplotype
The most common result for each marker tested in a group of results. See also: ancestral signature.

Short Tandem Repeat (STR)
A short DNA motif (pattern) repeated in tandem. ATGC repeated eleven times would give the marker a value or allele of 11.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)
A change in the DNA that happens when a single nucleotide (A, T, G, or C) in the genome sequence is altered. A person has many SNPs that together create a unique DNA pattern for that individual.

Y-chromosome
One of the two sex chromosomes, X and Y. The Y-chromosome passes down from father to son. Females do not receive it. The fact that the Y-chromosome goes down the paternal line makes it valuable for genealogy studies, since it typically follows a surname line.

R-M222 Modal Haplotype

"NOTE: The formal publication of a revised haplogroup tree by the Y-Chromosome Consortium in May of 2008 has caused the relabeling of several haplogroups. In accord with the new YCC system, the branch of the Y-chromosome tree defined by the M222 SNP and formerly known as R1b1c7 is now called R1b1b2e by Family Tree DNA. To make things as confusing as possible, two additional SNPs have recently been identified and placed in the R branch of the tree by the research team of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG). In their further revision of the Y-chromosome tree, the branch associated with the M222 SNP is now called R1b1b2a2e. Any of these labels is correct provided one specifies the labeling system used. That is, R1b1b2e (YCC 2008) is equivalent to R1b1b2a2e (ISOGG 2008), and both are equivalent to R1b1c7 (FTDNA 2005 and ISOGG 2006-2007). For simplicity's sake, the Haplogroup can be labeled with its major haplogroup branch and the most refined downstream SNP -- R-M222."

From: R-M222 Haplogroup Project (formerly the R1b1c7 Project) on FTDNA (Group Administrator: David Wilson; Group Co-Administrator: John D. McLaughlin. Project Surnames: M222+ R1b1b2a2e R1b1b2e R1b1c7.)

See the website: Sorted R1b1b2e (formerly R1b1c7) Haplotypes with Colorized Mutations from Modal Values where you will find McGough (kit 21781), listed as haplotype R1b, which the author says as a practical matter legitimately could be R1b1c7, compared with the R1b12b2e modal (tinted in gold).

See: The Northwest Irish Variety of Y-DNA Haplogroup R—A Distinct Y-DNA Variety Clustered in NW Ireland and Parts of Scotland Is Associated with SNP M222 and Constitutes Haplogroup R1b1c7 by David Wilson.

See: R1b1c7 haplogroup M222 SNP aka North West Irish Variety, IMH and R1bSTR19Irish by John McEwan

ySearch R-M222 Modal Haplotype. For the Ui Neill haplotype (the R-M222 (R1b1c7) Modal Haplotype), go to ySearch (User ID M5UKQ).

FTDNA lists my Haplogroup as R1b1b2*. See: Y-DNA Haplogroup R and its Subclades - 2008 and Y-Chromosome Phylogenetic Tree. See also: Kerchner's R1b and Subclades YDNA Haplogroup Project on FTDNA and Haplogroup R1b (Y-DNA) from Wikipedia.

Here are some more references:

Phase 3 analysis: Ysearch 37 STR modal summary and analysis tables by John McEwan, 19th Sept 2005 (minor revisions 3rd 2007).

Haplogroups, Haplotypes, and Clusters for the Flustered by David N. Ewing, M.D., October 14, 2007.

Summary of published results in the R subclade by John McEwan updated on October 3, 2006).

Comparison of Marker Displays

Unfotunately, the order of displaying STRs is not standardized. Comparison of the reults between two different laboratories, therefore, can be a tedious job. See: Marker and Mutation Comparison based on Doug MacDonald's 28 Feb 2004 Analysis, with several updates. (Genetic Genealogy, Columbine Genealogical & Historical Society, by Earl C. Beaty (April 8, 2008)). Mutation rates for various markers are estimated.

"The Main test laboratories catering to genealogy:

Family Tree DNA
Relative Genetics
Ancestry.com
DNA Heritage
EthnoAncestry                      

'Each of them has web sites which explain not only their services, but also helpful background information. DNA Heritage probably has the best educational help. Ancestry.com is combining with Relative Genetics. EthnoAncestry is relatively new and does not have surname projects, however they are strong on SNP testing."

Y-Utility: Y-DNA Comparison Utility, Ysearch Mode by Dean McGee.

See: List of DYS markers on Wikipedia.

Short Tandem Repeat DNA Internet DataBase.

Mutation Rates—Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor

A critical factor in using Y chromosome tests to determine ancestors is the TMRCA—time to the most recent common ancestor. When the common ancestor dates back over a thousand years, there is a great deal of flexibility in making this judgment. See: Time to Most Recent Common Ancestry Calculator—Using Genetic Marker Similarity Between Two Individuals (a service of FamilyTreeDNA).

See: Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) on the website of Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF); Time to Most Recent Common Ancestry Calculator by Bruce Walsh.

For an excellent essay, see: An Overview and Discussion of Various DNA Mutation Rates and DNA Haplotype Mutation Rates. Do the YSTR Haplotypes in some Y Chromosome Male Lines Mutate Faster Than in Other Male Lines? by Charles F. Kerchner, Jr., P.E. (Retired).

Here are definitions from FTDNA's Family Tree DNA Glossary.

Mutation rate
The frequency with which random mutations occur.

Time to the Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA)
The amount of time or number of generations since individuals have shared a common ancestor. Since mutations occur at random, the estimate of the TMRCA is not an exact number (i.e., 7 generations), but rather a probability distribution. As more information is compared, the TMRCA estimate becomes more refined.

The mutation rates for 78 markers used by Family Tree DNA have been published on RootsWeb by Leo Little.

Junk DNA

"Genetic Genealogy DNA markers are located in the vast areas of 'junk DNA' in between the genes." Genetics & Genealogy - An Introduction by Charles F. Kerchner. Y-DNA testing is not done on genes, but non-coding DNA segments. Substitution of non-coding Y-DNA segments or DNA for genes in the title of this page would be more accurate, therefore. but neither as aesthetic nor euphonious.

Here are definitions from FTDNA's Family Tree DNA Glossary.

Junk DNA
Stretches of DNA that do not code for genes, also called non-coding DNA. Most of the genome consists of non-coding DNA, and was therefore long thought to be 'junk.' Scientists have found that in addition to containing markers that are helpful for genetic genealogy, parts of these non-coding regions have regulatory and other functions.

Gene
A segment of DNA which contains the genetic code to make a certain protein or part of a protein.

Genome
The entire complement of genetic material in a chromosome set. The human genome is composed of 46 chromosomes, with a total of 3 billion base pairs.

Marker
A physical location (locus) on the chromosome. Family Tree DNA offers 3 levels of Y-DNA testing: 12-marker, 25-marker and 37-marker.

A more detailed description of junk DNA will be found at Molecular Genealogy—Is DNA the Answer to Lost Family Records?:

"Q: What is the difference between a genetic marker and a gene? How will this information be used to help in genealogical research?

"A: A gene is a segment of DNA responsible for a protein or other biological molecule. These proteins and molecules will have structural or physiological properties that contribute to the biologic function of an individual. Alteration in the DNA sequence of a gene may cause a protein to be incorrectly manufactured and result in a disease condition. Segments of DNA between genes have been termed 'spacer' or 'junk' DNA because most have no known function. It is estimated that the majority of the human genome consists of this junk DNA. Alterations or mutations in 'junk' DNA will have no physical effect on the individual. Genetic markers are specific locations on the chromosome where there is known variability. This variability can be used to identify closely related individuals. Since genetic markers are not responsible for disease conditions we have focused our efforts on using this system to help in genealogical reconstruction."

The terms junk DNA seems to be going out of style as more researchers are concluding that some of the so-called non-coding DNA perform roles in reproduction. There is a growing discussion of whether some of the non-coding regions of the human genome, previously regarded as "junk," may have a "regulatory function," that is, they may serve as genetic switches to turn other genes on or off. See, for example, Sandwalk. Tuesday, July 24, 2007—Strolling with a skeptical biochemist— Junk DNA in New Scientist, commenting on the article Why 'junk DNA' may be useful after all by Aria Pearson. published in New Scientist of July 11, 2007. Despite the title of her article, Pearson agrees with the scientific concensus that what is generally regarded as junk DNA is "mostly useless."

See also: 'Junk' DNA May Have Important Role In Gene Regulation (ScienceDaily. October 20, 2008); 'Junk' DNA Proves Functional; Helps Explain Human Differences From Other Species (ScienceDaily. November 5, 2008). Discussion of this subject can be accessed by going to Google and searching Junk DNA.

Links

Here are some references:

Cyndi's List—Genetics, DNA & Family Health.

A primer by Ed Deming is: DNA and Genealogy: The Basics (PDF).

Short Tandem Repeat DNA—Internet DataBase—NIST Standard Reference Database

Y-Chromosome STRs

Summary List of Y Chromosome STR Loci and Available Fact Sheets

For a comprehensive list of links, see: 6) Reference Information on DNA on the website of the Marsh Family DNA Project.

Genealogy-DNA-L Archives on RootsWeb.

Ysearch is a free public service, offered by Family Tree DNA, that allows side-by-side comparisons of Y-chromosome tests of different users.

For a partial list of some family DNA projects, see: Surname DNA Studies and Projects on Cyndi's List. An example is the McGee Surname DNA Project.

What can Y chromosome DNA tell us about the Ewings? by John McEwan (August 2006), part of a site called: Dal Riadic Migration Y Chromosome DNA Genealogy Page by John McEwan (updated 5th Aug 2006).

Ken Lennan is the project administrator of the (G)l*nn*n DNA Project, a well designed family genealogy DNA website for men with the surname: G)Lennon/Lennan/Lannan/Lannon/Lannin/Linnen etc. The distribution of one group of the Lennans in Griffiths' Valuation 1848–1864 is similar to the distribution of the largest group of McGoughs in Ireland. "The distribution, in the case of Lennan (165 entries), would suggest a clear South Armagh, Monaghan, Louth grouping. The Antrim, Tyrone, Derry, North Armagh and Down Lennans could be part of that same group."

ulsterheritage.com - all things ulster includes a volunteer-run DNA project.

Discovering Ancestry with Y-Chromosomes by Mark S. Lechner, Ph.D., Senior Technical Editor (a tutorial on Genebase)

Learn about Y-DNA Haplogroup R by Mark S. Lechner, Ph.D., Senior Technical Editor

Kerchner's DNA Testing & Genetic Genealogy Info and Resources Page (with many valuable links) by Charles F. Kerchner, Jr.

Updating Ysearch DNA Markers in One Step by Stephen P. Morse, San Francisco

The Irish Type III Website.

Interpreting Genetic Distance Within Surname Projects (FTDNA)

Clan MacLea.co.uk. The Official Home of the Clan McLea - the Highland Livingstones. "There is a great deal of evidence to support the theory that MacLea is derived from the name McDunsleibhe."

Ewing Family Association

What can Y chromosome DNA tell us about the Ewings? by John McEwan.

International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG).

DNA-R1B1C7-L Archives on RootsWeb.

Sorted R1b1b2e (formerly R1b1c7) Haplotypes with Colorized Mutations from Modal Values.

Genealogy by DNA: Can it Deliver? with dozens of links to free genealogy sites and other sites of interest.

DNA Commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG): An update of the recommendations on the use of Y-STRs in forensic analysis.

DNA.gov > About Forensic DNA > Analyzing DNA Evidence > Y-Chromosome Analysis and Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis.

Webpages by Stephen P. Morse, San Francisco. One–step webpage to genetic genealogy pages, including FTDNA.

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