Rutledge DNA Project  
Rutledge Surname DNA Project  
 

The YCC Haplogroup Classification System

The Y Chromosome Consortium (YCC) is a group involved in a collaborative effort to study genetic variation on the human Y chromosome. In 2002 they proposed the Y-Chromosome Nomenclature System to standardize the way haplogroups are named. In the new system the main branches are assigned capital letters A (for the haplogroup above the position of the root) through the letter R. The letter Y was assigned to the most inclusive haplogroup. Haplogroups nested within each major haplogroup are labeled using numbers. For example R1 or I1. Nested groups within these haplogroups are named with lowercase letters. For example R1a or R1b. You can read more about this classification system in the publication "A Nomenclature System for the Tree of Human Y-Chromosomal Binary Haplogroups".

What we know about the Haplogroups

What we know about Haplogroup R1b1

The publication "The Genetic Legacy of Paleolithic Homo sapiens sapiens in Extant Europeans: A Y Chromosome Perspective" outlines the migration path of our ancestors into Europe. This is the main source of information that I used to write the summary below which showing that our ancestors have lived in Europe since the Upper Paleolithic (Literally, the "Old Stone Age", from 40,000 to 12,000 BCE) times.

Our ancestors with the M173 genetic marker (which includes haplogroups R1a and R1b) entered Europe from the east and diffused from east to west about 40,000 to 35,000 years ago spreading the Aurignac culture. This is the first culture of Homo sapiens sapiens to spread through central and western Europe and their descendents represent about 50% of todays Europeans. Aurignacian is the earliest subdivision of the Upper Paleolithic technological phase in western Europe (from 40,000 to 27,000 years ago). It is characterized by the use of bone tools and blade flint technology, with scrapers and burins.

During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, "the peak of the Ice Age", from 20,000 to 13,000 years ago) humans were forced to vacate Central Europe, with the exception of a refuge in the northern Balkans.

The ancestors of Haplogroup R1a expanded back into Europe from the Ukraine after the LGM 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. R1a is virtually absent in Western Europe. Its frequency increases eastward and reaches a maximum in Poland, Hungary, and Ukraine. R1a is indicative of "Viking blood" when seen in the British Isles.

The ancestors of Haplogroup R1b1 expanded back into Europe from the Iberian Peninsula (near Spain) after the LGM 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. The frequency of R1b1 decreases from west to east, being most frequent in Basques and virtually absent near the Ukraine.

What we know about Haplogroup I

The ancestors of Haplogroup I (defined by the M170 genetic marker) arrived from the Middle East 20,000 to 25,000 years ago and are associated with the Gravettian culture. Gravettian is the second subdivision of the Upper Paleolithic technological phase in western Europe (from 27,000 to 21,000 years ago).

The I, I1, and I1a lineages are nearly completely restricted to northwestern Europe. These would most likely have been common within Viking populations. One lineage of this group extends down into central Europe. (source: Family Tree DNA)

What we know about Haplogroup Q

The Q lineage is the lineage that links Asia and the Americas. This lineage is found in North and Central Asian populations as well as native Americans. This lineage is believed to have originated in Central Asia and migrated through the Altai / Baikal region of northern Eurasia into the Americas. (source: Family Tree DNA)

Haplogroup Q3 is the only lineage strictly associated with native American populations. This haplogroup is defined by the presence of the M3 mutation (also known as SY103). This mutation occurred on the Q lineage 8-12 thousand years ago as the migration into the Americas was underway. There is some debate as to on which side of the Bering Strait this mutation occurred, but it definitely happened in the ancestors of the Native American peoples. (source: Family Tree DNA)

Haplogroup Information for the Rutledge DNA test Results

Most of the individuals tested are from Haplogroup R1b1 with the exception of group 4 which belongs to Haplogroup I and group 6 which belong to Haplogroup Q. Written documentation has recorded the Rutledge surname as far back as the 1400s along the Scottish England border where they lived as "border reivers". Haplogroups R1b and Haplogroup I are consistent with what would be expected with this theory.

Group 1   FTDNA suggest group 1 belongs to haplogroup R1b1c using the YCC classification.
Group 2   FTDNA suggest group 2 belongs to haplogroup R1b1 using the YCC classification.
Group 3   FTDNA suggest group 3 belongs to haplogroup R1b1 using the YCC classification.
Group 4   FTDNA suggest group 4 belongs to haplogroup I using the YCC classification.
Group 5   FTDNA suggest group 5 belongs to haplogroup R1b1 using the YCC classification.
Group 6   FTDNA suggest group 6 belongs to haplogroup Q using the YCC classification.
Group 7   FTDNA suggest group 7 belongs to haplogroup R1b1 using the YCC classification.
Group 8   FTDNA suggest group 8 belongs to haplogroup R1b1 using the YCC classification.



Picture of Rutledge lines seperated by haplogroups.


This interpretation may change as more people are tested and as my understanding of DNA grows. Please your comments and theories.

Additional Information