Although genetic genealogy has three main approaches, namely Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, and autosomal DNA analysis, the optimum method for a surname project is Y-DNA analysis. The Y chromosome is passed essentially unaltered from father to son, unlike other chromosomes which comprise a combination of paternal and maternal DNA. (Aside: although a male only receives an X chromosome from his mother, this X chromosome contains a combination of DNA from the X chromosomes of both of his maternal grandparents). Therefore all male Uptons descending from the same Upton patriarch should have near-identical Y-DNA results. Rare and random mutations do occur, which have no biological significance, and which can assist in determining the likely degree of the relationship between two matching individuals.

Y-DNA results are classified into broad haplogroups. The current classification system utilised is YCC2010 which was adopted by FTDNA in Spring 2011, and which altered many of the haplogroup names of the preceding classification system. In all cases a haplogroup is estimated on the basis of the individual marker results on the Y chromosome. It is possible, however, to confirm and expand the haplogroup classification by SNP testing, which has been performed for a number of samples in the Upton surname DNA project.

Analysis of the many sets of Upton Y-DNA results generated to date supports the hypothesis that the surname was adopted independently by a number of unrelated families.



Submitters of kit#189690 and kit#190923 (both having 37 markers tested with FTDNA) both trace origins to Ballylanders, Co. Limerick, Ireland. The former traces to the townland of Annagurra, while the latter traces to Ballylanders townland, both in the parish of Ballylanders. While it is not surprising that these Uptons have been proven by Y-DNA analysis to share a common Upton paternal ancestor, these families have not been connected by conventional genealogical research (parish records, etc), highlighting the immense value of a genetic approach. There are records of Uptons living in nearby Kilfinnane, Co. Limerick in the 1700s, with Philip Upton named as a freeholder in Kilfinnane in 1761, and Christopher Upton named as a freeholder in Kilfinnane in 1768 and again in 1776. Christopher Upton of Kilfinnane reportedly married the daughter of Colonel Michael Bailey, and they had nine sons – the eldest of whom was Michael Upton (1769-1802). Another of their nine sons was William Bayly Upton of Cashel, Co. Tipperary. The traditional burial ground of many Annagurra Uptons was in Kilfinnane, and therefore it is likely that these were all members of the same family. Both Y-DNA samples are estimated to belong to haplogroup R1b1a2 (YCC2010 classification system). They do not match three Upton families from Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick (see Group C and Non-matching Irish Upton families below).

 

A single individual has provided two samples: kit#smgf1 (43 markers tested with Sorenson) and kit#189218 (tested with FTDNA). His 7th great-grandfather was William Upton born c1661, Staffordshire, England. His son William Upton was born cFeb 1686 in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. Later generations of this Upton family lived in Blithfield (1700s) and Rugeley (1800s), both in Staffordshire.

Kit#smgf2 (43 markers tested with Sorenson), results added to FTDNA database as kit#B1145 (without further sample analysis), was submitted by the great-grandson of Joseph Thomas Frederick Upton (known as Frederick J. Upton), born Oct 1852, Grange Wood, Netherseal, Leicestershire, England. Further research indicates that Joseph Thomas Frederick Upton's father (named Joseph Upton) was born in Tutbury, Staffordshire, in 1824, and his father (also Joseph Upton) was born abt. 1786. Significantly, the earliest known location for this Upton family (i.e. Tutbury, Staffordshire) is just ten miles from the earliest known location of the matching Staffordshire Upton family discussed above (i.e.Uttoxeter, Staffordshire).

These two Upton families have not been connected by conventional genealogy (parish records, etc), but a definite genetic match is confirmed by Y-DNA analysis. They vary on just three of the forty-three markers which they have both had tested: DYS449, DYS444, and YGATAA10, and by a genetic distance of just one on each of these, giving a total genetic distance of 3 over 43 markers. It is impossible to determine with accuracy when the most recent common ancestor of the sample providers would have lived. Approximately eight to twelve generations earlier is a reasonable estimate. Testing of more markers would help to refine this. Both samples are Haplogroup I1 (confirmed by deep clade testing on kit#189218), which is very common in Scandinavian populations, but less so in Britain. It is entirely possible that the common paternal line of these Uptons has Norse origins, well before the Upton surname was first used.

A single individual has provided two samples: kit#anc1 (43 markers tested with www.ancestry.com) and kit#189305 (67 markers tested with FTDNA). He descends from William Upton, born circa 1800, who lived in Ballynabearna, Ardagh parish (just north of Newcastlewest), Co. Limerick, Ireland. Sample provided by 2nd great-grandson.

Kit#241499 (67 markers tested with FTDNA) has been submitted by a descendant of Thomas Upton who was born c.1730 in Prince George's, Maryland, USA.

Both samples are estimated to belong to haplogroup R1b1a2 (YCC2010 classification system). Kit#241499 matches the common Western Atlantic Modal Haplotype (WAMH), based on the initial 12 markers. The other individual (kit#anc1 and kit#189305) deviates from the WAMH by two mutations, but over 67 markers these two individuals deviate on just 8 markers, with a two-step mutation on one of these, giving a total genetic distance of 9 over 67 markers. According to FTDNATiP analysis (assuming no common ancestor for at least 6 generations, as confirmed by conventional genealogical research) these individuals have a 37.43% probability of sharing a most recent common ancestor (MRCA) within 16 generations, a 62.37% probability of a MRCA within 20 generations, and a 80.81% probability of a MRCA within 24 generations. This probability is based purely on comparison of genetic results, and it is strengthened by their having tested to a high number of markers. Adding to this the fact that they share a reasonably uncommon surname, and the probability becomes a virtual certainty that they share a common paternal ancestor who was surnamed Upton.

This is of particular significance for the Newcastlewest samples. The Upton family is documented to have settled for the first time in Co. Limerick in the late 1600s. John Upton acquired a lease in Ashgrove, Newcastlewest, in 1694. It has been suggested (by W.H. Upton, writing in 1893) that this family is likely to be a branch of the Upton family of Castle Upton, Templepatrick, Co. Antrim (a family which included Barons and Viscounts Templetown), and there is some documentary evidence to support this, but the link has not been conclusively proven. The Co. Antrim Uptons arrived in Ireland from Devon, England, in the late 1500s. That three Upton families tested from the Newcastlewest area of Co. Limerick fail to match one another (and fail to match two Upton families from Ballylanders, Co. Limerick - see Group A discussion above), is a source of confusion. Of these three Newcastlewest Upton families, the family which is represented by kit#anc1 and kit#189305 is the only one that matches any other Uptons (i.e. kit#241499 - Uptons tracing origins to Maryland), and this proves that this family is of unbroken paternal-line Upton descent for at least several centuries. This makes it likely that the individual who submitted kit#anc1 and kit#189305 is a direct male-line descendant of the aforementioned John Upton (who acquired a lease in 1694).

Kit#N15261 (12 markers tested with FTDNA and Genographic Project) represents a North American Upton family. The sample is an exact match with kit#241499 at 12 markers (which is the maximum number of markers at which they can currently be compared), but has a genetic distance of 2 from the other individual in Group C (kit#anc1 and kit#189305). However, since kit#N15261 and kit#241499 both possess the common Western Atlantic Modal Haplotype (WAMH), it is entirely possible that their most recent common paternal ancestor did not live within a meaningful genealogical timeframe (i.e. since surnames came into use). Further testing of kit#N15261 is necessary to substantiate whether or not he truly belongs in Group C. The status of kit#241499 within Group C is not in question.

Kit#219782 (12 markers tested with FTDNA)was submitted by the 8^th great-grandson of John Upton (d.1699), who lived in North Reading, Massachusetts, America, through his son John Upton Jr. (1654-1727). There has been much speculation about John Upton Sr.’s origins. Some researchers claim that he came from Devon in England, and others claim that he came from Scotland.

Kit#326099 (37 markers tested with FTDNA) was submitted by another 8^th great-grandson of the same John Upton (d.1699), but through a younger son, William Upton (1663-1740).

Therefore the two sample providers are ninth cousins along their pure paternal Upton lines, and their most recent common ancestor in that line was John Upton (d.1699). They match on 11 of the 12 markers for which both men have been tested. These men have very few other matches, and in such circumstances a match of 11/12 is highly likely to be a true match – although comparison at a higher number of markers (37 or more) would be desirable to prove the connection genetically.

Both Y-DNA samples are estimated to belong to haplogroup R1b1a2 (YCC2010 classification system). 

Kit#189620 (37 markers tested with FTDNA) traces origins to Ardagh parish (just north of Newcastlewest), Co. Limerick, Ireland. The sample is estimated to belong to haplogroup R1b1a2 (YCC2010 classification system). This sample does not match any other Upton sample.

Kit#191843 (37 markers tested with FTDNA) traces origins to Castlemahon (near Newcastlewest), Co. Limerick, Ireland. The sample is estimated to belong to haplogroup R1b1a2 (YCC2010 classification system). This sample does not match any other Upton sample.

These two families, together with a third family (kit#anc1 and kit#189305) that belongs to Group C (see above), all trace origins to Newcastlewest, Co.Limerick, Ireland. However, none of the three families match one another, and therefore they cannot all descend, paternally, from John Upton who acquired a lease in Ashgrove, Newcastlewest in 1694. Only the family that submitted both kit#anc1 and kit#189305 matches any other Uptons (forming Group C, see above).

Kit#164820 (37 markers tested with FTDNA) traces to Thomas Upton, born c1771, lived in London, married Sarah Fancey. According to the YCC2010 classification system the haplogroup is R1b1a2a1a1b3c (shorthand R-L2), which has been confirmed by deep clade testing. This sample does not match any other Upton sample.