Greenhalgh/Greenhill DNA Project

Project Background

Welcome to the Greenhalgh/Greenhill Surnames DNA Project!

Greenhalgh, Greenall, Greenhill, Greenwell, Greenhall, Grannell, Grunnell, and all other variants, are included in this project. If you have any questions or information please email the Project Administrator at:-

Group Administrator Email: GreenhillDNA{replace with the at symbol}inspiralmail.com


Surname Meanings:

The names are derived from medieval British locational or topographical names. Their meanings are thought to be:-

Greenhalgh - a green hollow/valley or a piece of flat alluvial land by the side of a river or a green hall
Greenhill - usually a green hill or hollow although Greenhill (Grimhelle) in Worcs is possibly derived from the old english for goblin's ("grima") hill

Throughout the ages the names have changed in both spelling and pronunciation so that it is virtually impossible to tell whether modern spellings like Grenell, Grinell and Grunnel have evolved from Green Halgh, Green Hill, Green Hall or even Green Well. It is probable that each spelling can have several different original sources so, for example, some Grenells may come from Greenhalgh, others from Greenhill.

Possible Greenhill Origins:

Some British places that are, or could be, connected with these names are:-

Greenhalgh (Greneholf), Garstang, Lancashire, England - village since at least 1086 & castle built in 1490 more info map photo
Greenhill, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
Green Hill, Cowan Bridge, Lancashire - mountain
Greenhill, Edinburgh, Scotland
Greenhill, Harrow, Middlesex, England - first recorded as Grenehulle in 1334, although a Greenhill family lived here from at least 1247. It lies at the base of Harrow Hill and may have originally meant Green Hole or Hollow. more info map
Greenhill, Herne, Kent, England
Greenhill (Grimhelle), Oswaldslow, Worcester, England - the only place named Greenhill that is recorded in the Domesday book. It was held by Urse the sheriff which was held by Godfrey of him. It was valued at 6s and was one hide in size. It contained two bordars who had one plough.
Greenhill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire - The manor of Greenhill was given to Beauchief Abbey abt 1314. more info map
Greenhills, Dublin, Ireland - perhaps named after someone called Greenhill?
Greenhills, East Kilbride, Scotland - ditto
Greenhills Lane, Alfreton, Derbyshire, England - ditto
Greenhaugh, Northumberland, England - map

Early Occurrences of the Surnames:

William de Grenehill - Bedfordshire 1200 (Pipe Rolls)
Richard de Grenhal - Shropshire 1230 (Pipe Rolls)
William de Grenol - Lancashire 1246 (Assize Rolls)
Symon de la Grenehell - Kent 1270 (Archaeologia Cantiana)
Thomas de Grenewille - Oxfordshire 1279 (Rotuli Hundredorum)
Richard de Grimenhull - Berrow, Worcestershire 1280
Henry de Grenehulle - Harrow, Middlesex 1282
Nicholas of Greenhill - Herne, Kent 1289
Simon de Grenehulle - Bucks, Derbys & Notts 1302 (Feudal Aids)
John de Greenhill - Chipping, Lancashire 1310
Gilbert ate Grenehelle - Kent 1317 (Assize Rolls)
John de Grenhul - Bedford 1332
Matillda de Grenehalgh - Lancashire 1332 (Subsidy Rolls)
William de Grenolf - Lancashire 1332 (Subsidy Rolls)

DNA Science:

Y-DNA testing is a relatively recent invention. By comparing the markers (segments of chromosomes) of two people it can be established whether they are related in recent history. For more info there is a good explanation on John Blair's DNA 101 site. By using this technology we will be able to establish family groups and uncover more than we could just by relying on the traditional paper trail. An example of the results of a project that has been running for some time now is the Harrison Surname DNA Project which shows how different test results group into families.

Joining:

Participation is open to ANYONE with one of these names ANYWHERE in the world, however females will need to find a male relative to take the test on their behalf, as Y-DNA is only passed down from male to male.

This project has only just been formed and results will be coming soon to the Results and Y Results pages. These can be reached by the respective links at the top of this page.

Project Goals and News pages can also be reached via respective links at the top of this page.

Please join in and help discover more about our roots :-)

To order your Y-DNA test kit please click on the following link:- JOIN

Test costs are $149/£102 for 37 markers (Y-DNA37) and $248/£171 for the 67 marker (Y-DNA67) test (please check "News" page for special offers). The higher the number of markers tested the easier it is to calculate the time to the most recent common ancestor between two people. The 37 marker test is a good detail/price compromise. The 12 marker test is not recommended as it is not detailed enough to establish relationships. The above prices include a Greenhalgh/Greenhill project discount; if you were to take these tests outside of the project they would cost more.

Family Tree DNA follows stringent policies for protecting privacy which can be viewed here. More info about FTDNA's testing can be found on this FAQs page.

If you have any further questions, corrections or suggestions for improvements please contact the Group Administrator at GreenhillDNA{replace with the at symbol}inspiralmail.com. Thanks :-)