Welcome to the Greenan, Greenhalgh, Greenhill DNA Project

Greenan, Greenhalgh, Greenall, Greenhill, Greenwell, Greenhall, Grannell, Grunnell, and other variants, are included and welcomed in this project.

Irish Roots: 

Greenan:

• Likely an anglicization of ÓGrianáin. Further, rooted from Irish verbiage "grianach" (sunny) or"grian" (sun).

• Commonplace surname in the entirety of Ireland. Particularly present in County Cavan, County Monaghan, County Down, and County Leitrim (specifically South Leitrim).

Grennan/Grennon:

• Some Grennan or Grennon lineagesmay find their roots may be anglicized from the same roots as Greenan.

• Some lineages may also be ofrecent Irish extraction, while being further descended from Norman or French forbearers with the name Gernon or Grenon (old English words for moustache).

British Roots: 

Many of the surnames included in this project are derived from medieval British locational or topographical names. 

Greenhalgh: 

• Green hollow/valley or a piece of flat alluvial land by the side of a river or a green hall.

Greenhill:

• Usually a green hill or hollow although Greenhill (Grimhelle) in Worcs is possibly derived from the old English for goblin's ("grima") hill. Throughout the ages the names have changed in both spelling and pronunciation so that it is virtually impossible to tell whether modern spellings like Grenell, Grinell and Grunnel have evolved from Green Halgh, Green Hill, Green Hall or even Green Well. It is probable that each spelling can have several different original sources so, for example, some Grenells may come from Greenhalgh, others from Greenhill. 

Possible Greenhill Origins

Some British places that are or could be connected with these names are: Greenhalgh (Greneholf), Garstang, Lancashire, England - village since at least 1086 & castle built in 1490 more info map photo Greenhill, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England Green Hill, Cowan Bridge, Lancashire - mountain Greenhill, Edinburgh, Scotland Greenhill, Harrow, Middlesex, England - first recorded as Grenehulle in 1334, although a Greenhill family lived here from at least 1247. It lies at the base of Harrow Hill and may have originally meant Green Hole or Hollow. more info map Greenhill, Herne, Kent, England Greenhill (Grimhelle), Oswaldslow, Worcester, England - the only place named Greenhill that is recorded in the Domesday book. It was held by Urse the sheriff which was held by Godfrey of him. It was valued at 6s and was one hide in size. It contained two bordars who had one plough. Greenhill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire - The manor of Greenhill was given to Beauchief Abbey abt 1314. more info map Greenhills, Dublin, Ireland - perhaps named after someone called Greenhill? Greenhills, East Kilbride, Scotland - ditto Greenhills Lane, Alfreton, Derbyshire, England - ditto Greenhaugh, Northumberland, England - map

Early Occurrences of the Surnames Greenhalgh and Greenhill

William de Grenehill - Bedfordshire 1200 (Pipe Rolls) Richard de Grenhal - Shropshire 1230 (Pipe Rolls) William de Grenol - Lancashire 1246 (Assize Rolls) Symon de la Grenehell - Kent 1270 (Archaeologia Cantiana) Thomas de Grenewille - Oxfordshire 1279 (Rotuli Hundredorum) Richard de Grimenhull - Berrow, Worcestershire 1280 Henry de Grenehulle - Harrow, Middlesex 1282 Nicholas of Greenhill - Herne, Kent 1289 Simon de Grenehulle - Bucks, Derbys & Notts 1302 (Feudal Aids) John de Greenhill - Chipping, Lancashire 1310 Gilbert ate Grenehelle - Kent 1317 (Assize Rolls) John de Grenhul - Bedford 1332 Matillda de Grenehalgh - Lancashire 1332 (Subsidy Rolls) William de Grenolf - Lancashire 1332 (Subsidy Rolls).

DNA Science

Y-DNA testing is a relatively recent invention. By comparing the markers (segments of chromosomes) located on the Y- Chromosomes of two males, it can be established whether they are related in recent history through their paternal lineage. For more info there is a good explanation on John Blair's DNA 101 site. By using genetic genealogy we are able to establish family groups and uncover more than we could just by relying on the traditional paper trail. Y-DNA testing is ideal for tracing paternal line ancestry. The Y Chromosome is passed generally unchanged from father to son throughout the generations, unlike autosomal DNA. Autosomal DNA can be vastly helpful in proving close familial relations, including one's paternal lineage. However, over time, autosomal DNA can become less helpful in providing evidence of a paternal line connection due to genetic recombination throughout familial generations.

Joining the Greenan, Greenhalgh, Greenhill DNA Project 

Participation is open to anyone with paternal roots or speculative paternal roots with any of the surnames, or their variants however females will need to find a male relative to take the test on their behalf, as Y-DNA is only passed down from male to male. 

To order your Y-DNA test kit please click on the following link:- JOIN The higher the number of markers tested the easier it is to calculate the time to the most recent common ancestor between two people. The 37 marker test is a good starting point, as its the best "bang for your buck". Add higher level marker testing as necessary. Family Tree DNA follows stringent policies for protecting privacy which can be viewed here. More info about FTDNA's testing can be found on this FAQs page.