Through Y-chromosome DNA testing of Scottish clan descendants, genetic testing may have revealed founder DNA signatures.

Scots Modal R1b - A "Dalriada" genetic signature

Known as "Scots Modal R1b", this lineage was originally attributed to Colla Uais by Mark MacDonald, Administrator of the Clan Donald USA DNA Project.  Mr. McDonald has since shifted this interpretation due to Clan Colla source of descent through Godfrey MacFergus.1 For additional Dalriadic clans .2

 
    DYS#
  *
H
a
p
l
o		 3
9
3		 3
9
0		 1
9		 3
9
1		 3
8
5
A		 3
8
5
B		 4
2
6		 3
8
8		 4
3
9		 3
8
9
|
I		 3
9
2		 3
8
9
|
II		 4
5
8		 4
5
9
A		 4
5
9
B		 4
5
5		 4
5
4		 4
4
7		 4
3
7		 4
4
8		 4
4
9		 4
6
4
A		 4
6
4
B		 4
6
4
C		 4
6
4
D
Scots Modal

R1b

 13 24 14 10 11 14 12 12 12 13 13 30 18 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 30 15 15 17 17

 
Somerled of Argyll

A DNA study conducted by Bryan Sykes, discovered that many Scottish clan leaders, (i.e.: MacDonalds, MacDougalls and MacAlisters, to name a few) all shared the same DNA signature.  Their paper trails led back to the great Somerled of Argyll, b. abt. 1100 AD, who drove Viking invaders from Scotland.  An ironic twist is that this genetic profile reveals Norse heritage.3

 
    DYS#
  *
H
a
p
l
o		 3
9
3		 3
9
0		 1
9		 3
9
1		 3
8
5
A		 3
8
5
B		 4
2
6		 3
8
8		 4
3
9		 3
8
9
|
I		 3
9
2		 3
8
9
|
II		 4
5
8		 4
5
9
A		 4
5
9
B		 4
5
5		 4
5
4		 4
4
7		 4
3
7		 4
4
8		 4
4
9		 4
6
4
A		 4
6
4
B		 4
6
4
C		 4
6
4
D
Somerled

R1a

 13 25 15 11 11 14 12 12 10 14 11 31 16 8 10 11 11 23 14 20 31 12 15 15 16
An additional 12 markers for Somerled has been deduced by Mark MacDonald.
 

NOTE:  The DNA results used to determine the DNA signatures (haplotypes) for Scots Modal R1b and Somerled are not part of the Scotland DNA Project.  This page was compiled for informational purposes only, and sources have been cited and linked.

Source citations:
1Clan Donald USA Project History
2Electric Scotland: "MacDonald Genetic Project"
3Electric Scotland: "The Norse Code"

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