Y-DNA project for the Clugston, Clogston, Cluxton and Clogstoun surnames. This project has proved that all of these surnames (except Clogstoun) descend from a single common ancestor in Kirkcowan, Wigtownshire, Scotland. The surname dates back to AD 1230 or earlier. We also have evidence that the Claxton surname from Ireland is also a variant of Clugston. The Dowell surname from Virginia also seems to be a Clugston branch with undeclared parentage. Finally, the project has shown a common ancestor with a subset of people with the McDowell surname. Before 1550, Mindork castle in the Barony of Clugstoun was occupied by MacDowells. These men are uniquely identified by the SNP marker R-S666.