Welcome to the GARNETT surname Y-DNA project. This project is open to all members interested in researching the male lineages of the Garnet(t) surname through the sharing of Y-DNA test data. All variant spellings of the Garnett surname are welcome. A Y-Chromosome DNA test (Y-DNA test) is an extremely valuable tool for revealing male ancestry and complements traditional genealogical research. Since the Y-chromosome passes down from father to son (patrilineally), which in most cultures corresponds with the inheritance of surnames, appropriate testing helps to determine whether or not two people with the same surname are actually related. The aim of this project is to create a growing database of GARNETT Y-DNA 'signatures' to assist traditional genealogical research and to help members find others with whom they share a common patrilineal ancestor within the genealogical time-frame. The genealogical time-frame (or ‘surname era’) is defined as the time-span when the surname concerned has been hereditary, e.g. hereditary surnames in England were uncommon before the 11th century. Many surnames have existed for much shorter periods.