Below is a list of families participating in the Scots-Irish DNA Project as of November 2015. There are now over 900 participating families.
The surnames are very typically 'Scots-Irish.' The Lowland Scottish names draw very heavily from the western seaboard counties of the Lowlands, with many families from Ayrshire, Wigtown, Kirkcudbright, and Renfrew (using the older county names). Most of the Lowland Scottish families migrated to Ireland post 1609.
Many of the surnames, about 35% are of Highland Scots ancestry. The majority of these are from mid Argyll, Lennox, and the southern Hebrides. Many of the Highland families migrated to Ireland in the mid to late 1500s. Mid Argyll and Lennox were areas influenced by the Reformed faith and this fact influenced their relationship with the Lowland Scots migrating to Ireland in the 1600s.
There are several native Irish families that became Scots-Irish, most of these were from the Bann valley and had converted to the Reformed faith or to the Establish Church by the late 1600s.
The deep ancestry of these Scots-Irish families reveal that a large majority of them descend from the indigenous Celtic tribes of Scotland, over 84%, while the Norse and Norman origins coming in at about 10%.
The Scots-Irish DNA Project is open to families of Scots-Irish ancestry. The project has several goals, including reconnecting Scots-Irish in the Diaspora with their families that remained behind in Ireland. Another goal is to locate a family's point of origin in Scotland and recover lost or forgotten family history.
Multiple listings of a surname indicate the number of families with that surname participating. You will see a lot of Highlanders with Campbell and MacDonald the two most numerous. Several of the participating families are descended from famous Scots-Irish men, such as David Crockett (who turned about to be from Ayrshire ancestry, not Huguenot as often report in older history books).
Families interested in participating can do so by contacting the Scots-Irish DNA Project.
Click on a page to enlarge:
Missing surname Berry
ReplyDeleteNot really missing, it is just that no Berry family has yet participated in the Scots Irish DNA Project. The list is growing rapidly, so I expect eventually some Berry families will join. Hope so.
DeleteWhat about sheridan
DeleteWhat about sheridan
DeleteI to come from scot-irish as my gr grandparents were that. So love finding new things on Glenn and and Underwood also Richmond's
DeleteWow! Thank you. I am a direct descendent of the Clark,Dunlop,Dunlap,Murray,Crockett,and Sinclair's. I would love more info
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting project, finding out those families that identify as Scots-Irish here in the 21st Century. Many of the participating families have located their family that remained behind in Ireland and have reconnected the family, which is particularly rewarding.
DeleteDo you have to be strictly Scots Irish to participate? Most of my family's names are on the list and they're from Tyrone and possibly Derry. However we have a few ancestors from Cork.
ReplyDeleteWith this project, we require the families self identify as 'Scots-Irish.' But, that group is more diverse than the stereotype. Generally the families of Ulster Scots origins, but many of the families from outside of Ulster, from Mayo, Sligo, Dublin, Cork, etc., some are native Irish families that became part of Scots-Irish society in the Colonies, also a lot a Highland Scots, Manx, Border English, and Welsh, became part of the group.
DeleteThe population in 1820's in Derry/Londonderry was 50% Irish 25% English and 25% Scottish.I don't believe it was only Scottish descended borderers who made up what you call the Scots/Irish, Many Emigrants came directly to America from the borders of Northern England at that time also.
DeleteHighland Scots surely didn't have any cultural input into Scottish border culture did they? No bagpipes,or kilts or Celtic Christian names.
As far as I understand the people on both sides of the English Scottish border are mostly of Anglo Frisian, Germanic heritage becoming more Celtic in the West. Even Cumbria, formerly (Cumberland)is supposed to be marginally more English than Celtic.
I would like to see the names.Chittick.McKenna.Brodie.
DeleteThomney
Bulger/Bulgier should be on there.
ReplyDeleteBulger/Bulgier should be on there.
ReplyDeleteThe list is only of families that have joined the project and participated in the DNA testing. The project is growing rapidly, so very likely some Bulger families will join.
DeleteI'm a Shaw. I would love to know if there is any others that are too.
ReplyDeleteWe are Scots-irish but incredibly distantly. My maiden name is McElhaney, but that name (as many others in our tribe) is only because Scottish Traders married high ranking [Wind Clan] Creek women about 300 years ago
ReplyDeleteMy Ancestors are from Cork the O'Sheehan clan.
ReplyDeleteNo McNaul or McAnaul. We know they came from the Scottish Highlands. The name is quite common in the US and Canada where they emigrated from Ireland and Scotland. Just can't find much about them in their own countries!
ReplyDeleteAye! My GGG grandfather William Blair came to the colonies 1765- 1771 ? To York Co. Pa. fought in the revolution,captured in Quebec, was pardoned then moved the family to Pittsylvania Co. Va, near Danville abt. 1780 , he died 1790 There's a town down there now called BLAIRS,Va.
ReplyDelete"David Crockett (who turned about to be from Ayrshire ancestry, not Huguenot as often report in older history books)."
ReplyDeleteI thought "Davy Crocket" was adopted from a Huguenot Family?
My family (at least the surname branch) came here from Northern Ireland in 1734.There is a hotel near me called the Ulster Inn that is run by a man from Belfast. He told me that in Belfast that my last name (Witherspoon) is almost as common as Smith or Jones. Not sure if that is an exaggeration but it was interesting.
ReplyDeleteFSULady from Simi Valley, CA. 1st time I found your site-THANK YOU! I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH TONIGHT. When you open registration, hope to learn more of my Campbells of Newery, Co. Armaugh and MacMahon/Mahon/Mahans of the Scots-Irish.
ReplyDeleteMy family Kennedy can be traced back to Duplin, North Carolina on Ancestry DNA but I was told my ancestors came from Philadelphia
ReplyDeleteHelp! I've lost a link to my grandfather from Ellwood City, PA John McCauley - he was 17yo in 1930 census) (Mother Belle Mc Cauley 1872 - she was 58yo in 1930 census] ... these are son and wife of John A. McCauley, North Braddock, PA
ReplyDeleteMy ancestors came from Kirkcudbright, surname McClellan, of Scots peerage. The emigrated to Irelands Ulster Plantation, to America. How do l locate McClellan's still living in Ireland? I also am aware some McClellans became McClelland's.
ReplyDeleteI've always been told that our ancestors were Scot-Irish. My paternal grandmother's maiden name is McDuffie. Do you have any information for my search of my family's Scottish history?
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to research the history of my family's Scottish surname McDuffie, can you offer any information that might help my search
ReplyDeleteI didn't see Shannon, Nolan, hurry,edie, Parks of amtrim county, just to name a few I can remember real quick and off the top of my head
ReplyDeleteBarbarnesdiana844@gmail.
Diana Parks Barnes
Muncie, indiana.
My ancestry is McDevitt, also spelled Devitt. Family members say originated in scotland, but I am wondering if most ancestors came from Ireland and settled in pennsylvania. any info would be greatly appreciated. Patrick McDevitt born in Ireland, son of william McDevitt born in 1765 in ireland.
ReplyDeleteI cannot find the Young clan.
ReplyDeleteI cannot find the Young clan .
ReplyDeleteShields, although my FatherFatherand Grandparents were born on Edinborough seldom do I find out name anywhere!
ReplyDeleteMissing Coulter
ReplyDeleteFettes isn't there....
ReplyDeleteMy fathers family in the 1700's was on Scotland and Ireland before coming to the now US. There name was Lyle. The records show many ways to spell Lyle.
ReplyDeleteList is not complete, missing Lockhart. Also, is Wall a Scottish surname? I thought it was English.
ReplyDeleteMy Wallace/Wallis family came to Australia in the early 1850's. My 3rd great grandfather Thomas Wallace, born in Scotland around 1784 moved to South Shields as a mariner. His son, Peter Wallace also a mariner, came to Australia in the early 1850's with his family. I have had my DNA done through Ancestry and I have a % of Scottish descent. I can not link my family back to Scotland as I am at a dead end knowing exactly where Thomas came from.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Ellison/Allison?
ReplyDeleteMy ancestors came from Rasharkin, in 1865 were married in the Church of Ireland.Their surname was Devine, later changed their name to Duffin when they fled to Scotland. Our family says that
ReplyDeletewe originated from France using the name Ramage or similar. Could this be true?
Just applied to join. See my recent book “Canada’s Ulster - Scots” available from Amazon
ReplyDeleteFamily from Counties Monaghan & Cavan. See my book “Canada’s Ulster - Scots” available on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteI think my great great granfather was from ireland , but we have no contact to any posibke family there.
ReplyDeleteHi I found your site by mistake when i was searching yahoo for this acne issue, I must say your site is really helpful I also love the design, its amazing!. I don’t have the time at the moment to fully read your site but I have bookmarked it and also add your RSS feeds. I will be back in a day or two. thanks for a great site.
ReplyDeleterichard touil
my name is Erin Suzanna Carson. thought to be descended of a line who did not go Scotland but stayed behind to defend. The oldest left during the Flight of the Earls. have seen my crest but cant find it now.Would love to for a Christmas gift for my children. any ideas?? desperately (the neame as I understand it in 4 AD. is Ap'Corson. Would love the help to continue my quest. Thank you
ReplyDeletead was Ap'Corson.
thank
y