Unraveling Ancestral Threads with iGENEA: A Deep Dive into McLean's Scottish Celtic Heritage
Family name McLean
Taking a DNA test at iGENEA was a journey into the historical, culturally significant roots tied to my surname, McLean. Using autosomal DNA and Y-chromosome testing, the results were both enlightening and factually accurate, tying my lineage to ancient Scottish Celts.
My journey with iGENEA provided a fascinating, fact-filled voyage through the annals of time, linked specifically to my surname, McLean. It started with a simple saliva sample and evolved into a deep dive into ancestral lineage, migration patterns, and genetic markers that tint the McLean family tapestry.
The DNA test at iGENEA employs two primary methods: autosomal DNA testing and Y-chromosome testing. The former analyzes the 22 pairs of autosomes we inherit from our parents and provides information about ethnicity, cousin matches, and family ties up to 120,000 years back. The latter targets paternal ancestry, tracing the Y-chromosome passed from father to son, unearthing deep genetic roots and surname origins.
In my case, the autosomal DNA test revealed estimated percentages of my ancestral ethnicity. It pointed to heavy Scottish influences, consistent with the McLean family's traditionally cited Scottish roots.
The real game-changer was the Y-chromosome test. It matched me to the R1b haplogroup, the most common in Western Europe, with a dense concentration in Scotland. Most notably, the specific subgroup I belong to, R-L21, is associated with Celtic heritage, linking the McLean clan to the ancient Celts who once inhabited Scotland.
Throughout the process, I found iGENEA's accuracy highly impressive. The detailed genetic report correctly matched my known Scottish heritage, providing a fresh layer of confirmation. Moreover, the vast genetic database, containing over 700,000 entries, merited my faith in the accuracy and specificity of my results.
Overall, iGENEA’s DNA test unlocked a deeper understanding of the McLean lineage. It bridged the ancient past with the present, shedding new light on a surname shrouded in centuries-old tales and traditions. It is a testament to the power of science and the enduring pull of our past that such intimate history can be unveiled with a simple swab from the inside of my cheek.
E. McLean