Welcome to the Greenan DNA Project

Green, Greene, Greenan, Greening, Greehan, Grennan, Grogan
and other like variants are included and welcomed in this project.

As of January 2021, the terminal SNP R-BY56656 has been identified between multiple Greenan men who have conducted Big-Y DNA testing on Family Tree DNA.

All Greenan men tested have paternal lineage leading back to Ireland. Both Y-DNA evidence and autosomal DNA evidence point to roots in County Monaghan, and migrations to County Cavan, County Leitrim, County Longford, amongst other Irish counties. This project is seeking more Greenan men to conduct Y-DNA testing to link other Greenan lines with the terminal SNP R-BY56656. 

There are currently two Greenan men tested to the Big-Y level who fall under R-BY56656. There is one Greenan man who has tested to the Y-37 level and matches to the other two Greenan men, and is certainly of the same terminal SNP. Just a note, some members test results are private and will not appear in the public "DNA Results" category unless you are viewing as a project member.

The Y-DNA results of Greenan men tested point to an ancient DNA relationship between the Irish Greenan surname, and the "Three Collas" R-Z3000, a subclade of R-M269. 

For more information on the Three Collas and Clan Colla: 

Peters Pioneers Colla Site: http://www.peterspioneers.com/colla.htm 

"Clan Colla 425 Null" Y-DNA Group Project: https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/clancolla-42-5null/about 

Surname Etymology

Greenan

• An anglicization of Ó Grianáin. Further, rooted from Irish "grianach" (sunny) or "grian" (sun).
• Commonplace surname in modern-day Ireland. Particularly present in County Cavan, County Monaghan, County Down, County Longford, and County Leitrim.
• Further anglicizations include Green, Greene, and Grennan.

DNA Science

Genetic genealogy is a relatively new invention. At-home DNA testing is all the rage, and appears to only gaining momentum among those interested in exploring their familial roots. There are multiple forms of commercially available DNA tests for end-users to explore: the "autosomal" DNA test, the mtDNA DNA test, and the Y-DNA test. 

The vast majority of those who partake in genetic genealogy, whether for research purposes or simply for fun, take part in autosomal testing. Autosomal testing is an excellent research tool for those interested in genetic genealogy, this can range from beginners, to avid hobbyists, to professional genealogists. Autosomal testing options include Family Tree DNA's Family Finder test, Ancestry DNA, 23&Me, MyHeritage, and others available on the market. These autosomal tests give users the ability to explore the entirety of their Ancestral roots, Autosomal DNA is inherited from both parents, all four grandparents, etc. 

Y-DNA testing varies from autosomal testing in that only male testers can partake, as men inherit their Y chromosome from their father, and their father inherited it from their father before them. This testing is valuable for men seeking to gain further insight into their direct paternal lineage. The Y chromosome goes virtually unchanged from father to son, and is not subject to genetic recombination in the way that autosomal DNA is. Y-DNA does however experience mutations, and these mutations can aid testers in determining their genetic distance from other Y-DNA matches. These Y-DNA matches can: have the same surname or a surname variant, have a different surname due to an NPE (Non Paternity Event)further back in their male line or have a different surname due to a pre-surname relationship between the two men. Comparing the Y-DNA results and mutations of two matching testers who share a surname has the potential of aiding the testers in determining how their respective male lines relate.

The focus of this project is on Y-DNA results of male testers who have had their Y-DNA tested and have roots or speculative roots in the included surnames or variants. Y-DNA testing is available in a variety of marker-level testing options, and price points. The Y-37 marker test is a great starting point, and is a solid "bang for the buck". Tests are also available in the Y-67, Y-111, and Big-Y levels.

For more information on testing please contact a Group Project Administrator.