A collection of historical and genalogical records
Francis Douglas KC - Genetic Genealogical Analysis of the Douglas Patriline
Francis Douglas has contributed his DNA research to the Douglas Archives - now lodged in our DNA section.
The report presents definitive genetic evidence establishing the authentic Y-chromosomal signature of the Douglas family, one of Scotland's most prominent noble houses. Through comprehensive Y-DNA testing coordinated by FamilyTreeDNA, multiple independent Douglas lineages separated for centuries have been shown to share the haplogroup R-FT353727, a terminal subclade of R1a-Z282 (Continental European branch).
Three confirmed Douglas lines have been verified through exact Y-DNA matches:
(1) the Queensberry line, through a descendant of Air Vice Marshal Sir Sholto Douglas;
(2) the Kelhead baronial line, through documented descendants of the 6th and 7th Marquesses of Queensberry; and
(3) the Morton line (illegitimate branch from the 7th Laird of Drumlanrig, died 1498), through German descendants bearing the Douglas surname.
Significantly, numerous other claimed Douglas lines tested as R1b-L21 (Insular Celtic haplogroup), conclusively demonstrating they are not biological descendants of the Douglas patriline but rather represent surname adoption, non-paternity events, or tenant families who assumed the laird's surname.
The phylogenetic position of R-FT353727 within the R1a-Z282 branch definitively establishes Continental European (likely Flemish or Rhineland) origin for the Douglas patriline, contradicting theories of Norse/Scandinavian (R1a-Z284) or native Celtic Scottish (R1b-L21) ancestry. This genetic evidence strongly supports historical traditions of Flemish origin during the 12th century Norman-Flemish settlement of Scotland under David I.
https://douglashistory.co.uk/douglasdna/douglas/Francis%20Douglas_Y-DNA_Report.pdf
Add a Comment
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Comment by Ronald Drysdale 17 hours ago
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I found this comment in the report to be interesting:
"Numerous individuals bearing the Douglas surname have tested as haplogroup R1b-L21
(Insular Celtic marker). These individuals do not share the R-FT353727 Douglas signature
and are not biological patrilineal descendants, despite bearing the surname.
The presence of R1b-L21 Douglas surname bearers can be explained through: (a) tenant
adoption of the laird's surname; (b) non-paternity events; (c) illegitimate lines with maternal
ancestry; or (d) deliberate assumption of surname for social advantage."I had noticed during recent research into Slave databases, looking for Drysdale & Douglas surnames, that there were just too many of them, appearing around the same time, in the late 1700 & early 1800s, to have direct paternal links to the surnames they carried.
The obvious conclusion, particularly during the period of emancipation, was that many Slave families had adopted the surnames of their former 'Masters' - possibly temporarily or for convenience.
Thereafter, many of these families seem to disappear from official records and this would indicate further changes of name, perhaps to more traditional ethnic or favoured names or possibly just out of disgust with their former 'Masters' and the lives they had been forced to lead.
Best regards
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