About us
This surname project was initially started to confirm or disprove the correlation between the spellings of Chestnut and Chastain that are found in various locations around the world; the main theory being that it evolved from the French name Chastain, derived from Old French castan(h) 'chestnut tree'. Y-DNA testing, which traces back the paternal lineage, compared males with a variety of surnames related to Chestnut and Chastain. Earliest known ancestor name and location information was also used to group and compare individuals.
As a result of the analysis, STR Genetic Distance and Big-Y haplogroup data indicate that the names Chastain and Chestnut (and variants) are not genetically linked within the last 4000 years. Most Chastains had origins mainly in France, while the majority of Chestnuts had origins in Scotland and Ireland. A more detailed discussion will be found in the Results section.
As a result of this, the project will focus on Chesnut, Chestnut, Chesnutt, and Chestnutt surnames. To date, there are at least three (3) major branches of this surname, which makes it a multi-origin surname. It has been suggested that it is a topographical name for "a dweller by the chestnut tree" or that the name Chestnut is of Scottish or English extraction as a variant of the Scottish Chesney/McChesney. In addition, Non-Paternal Events could form branches from other surnames. These possibilities offer some explanations of the reason for multi-origin surnames.
As this project gets more active participants, we hope to incorporate documentary evidence to create a dual approach to reconstruct the family trees; see “Y-DNA Projects: Defining a Methodology to Reconstruct the Family Trees of a Surname within a DNA/Documentary Dual Approach Project”, by Chris Pomery, Journal of Genetic Genealogy, Volume 6, Number 1, (Fall 2010).
We need participants from around the world, especially Ireland and the UK, in order to better answer questions about the families sharing Chestnut or similar names. Males who have surnames belonging to this group, and who have taken Y37 and above, are needed.
Female project members may need to find a male relation of the same surname and have them tested to get the benefit of being in this project.
To join, click on the REQUEST TO JOIN THIS GROUP link at this website.
As a result of the analysis, STR Genetic Distance and Big-Y haplogroup data indicate that the names Chastain and Chestnut (and variants) are not genetically linked within the last 4000 years. Most Chastains had origins mainly in France, while the majority of Chestnuts had origins in Scotland and Ireland. A more detailed discussion will be found in the Results section.
As a result of this, the project will focus on Chesnut, Chestnut, Chesnutt, and Chestnutt surnames. To date, there are at least three (3) major branches of this surname, which makes it a multi-origin surname. It has been suggested that it is a topographical name for "a dweller by the chestnut tree" or that the name Chestnut is of Scottish or English extraction as a variant of the Scottish Chesney/McChesney. In addition, Non-Paternal Events could form branches from other surnames. These possibilities offer some explanations of the reason for multi-origin surnames.
As this project gets more active participants, we hope to incorporate documentary evidence to create a dual approach to reconstruct the family trees; see “Y-DNA Projects: Defining a Methodology to Reconstruct the Family Trees of a Surname within a DNA/Documentary Dual Approach Project”, by Chris Pomery, Journal of Genetic Genealogy, Volume 6, Number 1, (Fall 2010).
We need participants from around the world, especially Ireland and the UK, in order to better answer questions about the families sharing Chestnut or similar names. Males who have surnames belonging to this group, and who have taken Y37 and above, are needed.
Female project members may need to find a male relation of the same surname and have them tested to get the benefit of being in this project.
To join, click on the REQUEST TO JOIN THIS GROUP link at this website.