Understanding the Means Surname Through an iGENEA DNA Test: A Personal Journey into Ancestry
Family name Means
When I took the iGENEA DNA test, not only did I gain insights about my genetic heritage, but I also discovered intriguing facts about my surname, Means. Through advanced autosomal, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial DNA tests, iGENEA provided an illuminating canvas of my family history as told through my genes.
I recently undertook a DNA test with iGENEA to explore my genetic ancestry, a process that left me with a surprisingly profound understanding not just of my personal history, but also of my surname, Means. iGENEA employs high-end technology to conduct autosomal DNA testing, male lineage Y-DNA testing, and female lineage mitochondrial DNA testing, comprehensively grasping one's genetic lineage.
First, the autosomal DNA testing provided an overview of my makeup from both maternal and paternal sides dating back around five generations. Technically, autosomal tests examine the 22 pairs of autosomes – non-sex chromosomes – we carry. Looking primarily at small variations or Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), iGENEA identified shared segments of DNA with others within the extensive iGENEA database.
My Y-DNA testing, exclusively tracing the male line, examined the Y chromosome for Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) and SNPs. This test shed some intriguing light on the origins of my surname, Means. iGENEA tied the most frequent occurrence of the Means surname to Celtic origins, specifically to a region covering modern Ireland and Scotland. The Y-DNA results confirmed this correlation and suggested a Gaelic Celtic heritage.
Simultaneously, the mitochondrial DNA test unearthed my maternal lineage. This test examines the DNA of the mitochondria, the cellular component passed from mother to child. Here, I discovered Scandinavian roots, meaning there was a fair bit of Viking mingling with Celts in my family history!
The detailed information iGENEA provided was impressive – but how accurate are these results? iGENEA ensures accuracy through rigorous laboratory procedures and compares your data with a broad-based international genetic database. Nevertheless, it's worth remembering that DNA testing for genealogy is an evolving field – results are generally accurate but not entirely foolproof. For instance, autosomal DNA tests become less accurate with each passing generation due to genetic recombination.
In conclusion, the DNA test at iGENEA was a revelatory journey into my ancestry, using detailed genetic analysis to illustrate a vivid picture of my ancestry including giving me a rich insight into the geographic and ethnic origins of the Means surname.
S. Means