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WELCOME TO THE BOWES (and variants) DNA PROJECT!

Project Goals

  • to allow males with these surname variants to obtain a group discount while ordering their Y chromosome DNA analysis for family history research

  • to identify genetically distinct lines among people with these surnames

  • to help connect people with these surnames who are genetically related in a genealogically meaningful time frame (since surnames came into use), so they can augment one another's family history research

  • study participants haplogroups and haplotypes to discern their early origins and what migration paths people with these surnames have taken throughout history

  • to determine whether or not any Bowes from Ireland are genetically related to any Bowes from England

  • to see if any Bowes lines (or variants Bowe etc.) can substantiate the origin of these surnames in Ireland that is given in the ancient texts. Irish Bowes (and variants) are said to arise from the Gaelic sept Ui O'Buadhaigh, meaning "victorious" and pronounced approximately "O'Boowig." According to the Eoghanacht Genealogies from The Book of Munster (1703), the O'Buadhaigh sept descends from Oilill Olum, the king of Munster who controlled all of southern Ireland in the 2nd century:

    Maolodhar son of Sealbach had five sons: Ealathach, from whom the Mac Ealathaigh family; Buadhach, from whom the Ui Buadaigh (O'Bogue) [Bogue, according to Irish surname origin historians, being a variant of Bowes, and both anglicizations of Buadach]; Cathalan, from whom Ui Chathalain (Cahalane); Maoilin, from whom Ui Mhaoilin; and Croinin, from whom the Ui Chroinin family (O'Cronin). [This would have been about 720 A.D.]


    If this is true, at least some Cronin markers should match some Bowes (and variants) markers. This is why the Cronin surname appears in our project. We encourage all male Cronins to join. This part of our project will help your surname research too.