List of genetic results derived from historical figures

This is a list of genetic results derived from historical figures. Some people who trace their direct maternal or paternal ancestry to a noted historical figure have undergone genealogical DNA tests and have made their results publicly available.

Y DNA results[edit | edit source]

These results are Y-DNA genealogical DNA tests of men who have inferred paternal descent from historical figures. Scientists make the inference as a hypothesis which could be disproved or improved by future research.

John Adams[edit | edit source]

John Adams belonged to Y-DNA haplogroup R1b. [1]

Alexander Hamilton[edit | edit source]

Alexander Hamilton belonged to Y-DNA haplogroup I1a. [2] [3]

Thomas Jefferson[edit | edit source]

Main article: Jefferson DNA data

Direct male-line sons of a cousin of United States president Thomas Jefferson were DNA tested to investigate historical assertions that Jefferson fathered children with at least one of his slaves.^[1] An extended 17-marker haplotype was published in 2007,^[2] and the company Family Tree DNA has also published results for other markers in its standard first 12-marker panel.^[3] Combining these sources gives the consolidated 21-marker haplotype below. The Jeffersons belong to Haplogroup K2.

(Note: the value of DXYS 156Y was reported as 7 in the original paper. This is believed to translate to 12 in the convention now used by DNA testing labs and online databases)

Ysearch: Q8UXG (9 Y-STRs)

Genghis Khan[edit | edit source]

DNA purported to be from Genghis Khan does not have the benefit of near and easily documented lineages, but a distinct 'modal' result centers today on Mongolia; some question how accurate the articles relaying the information are.

According to Zerjal et al (2003),^[4] Genghis Khan is believed to have belonged to Haplogroup C.

According to Family Tree DNA,^[5] Genghis Khan is believed to have belonged to Haplogroup C3.

Extended 25 Marker Y-DNA modal based on Mongolians matching the above modal haplotype in the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation database,^[6] which also corresponds to the modal assigned to Genghis Khan released by Family Tree DNA:^[5]

Ysearch: GF44B (78 Y-STRs)

Niall of the Nine Hostages[edit | edit source]

A recent study conducted at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland^[7] found that a striking percentage of men in Ireland (and quite a few in Scotland) share the same Y chromosome, suggesting that the 5th-century warlord known as "Niall of the Nine Hostages" may be the ancestor of one in 12 Irishmen. Niall established a dynasty of powerful chieftains that dominated the island for six centuries. Niall belongs to Haplogroup R1b1c7 (M222). It should be noted that Dr. Moore's results examined some different parts of DNA (loci) from the result given here.

Ysearch: M5UKQ

Somerled[edit | edit source]

In 2003 Oxford University researchers traced the Y-chromosome signature of Somerled of Argyll, one of Scotland's greatest warriors who is credited with driving out the Vikings. He was also the founder of Clan Donald and it is through the clan genealogies of the clan that the genetic relation was mapped out.^[8]

In 2005 a study by Professor of Human Genetics Bryan Sykes of Oxford University led to the conclusion that Somerled has possibly 500,000 living descendants - making him the second most common historical ancestor after Genghis Khan^[9]

Somerled belongs to haplogroup R1a1.

The Y-DNA sequence is as follows (12 markers): [4]

Ysearch: YS495

Joseph Stalin[edit | edit source]

Joseph Stalin, from a genetic test on his grandson (his son Vasily's son; Alexander Burdonsky) shows his Y-DNA haplogroup to be G2a1 [5]

Ysearch: GF44B

mtDNA results[edit | edit source]

The following are mtDNA results for historical figures who have had mitochondrial DNA tested.

Jesse James[edit | edit source]

In 1995 the body of Jesse James was exhumed and compared to two known living relatives, making a perfect match on both counts.

Luke the Evangelist[edit | edit source]

A body attributed to Luke the Evangelist that resides in Padua, Italy, underwent a mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) test:

Marie Antoinette[edit | edit source]

DNA taken from a lock of Marie Antoinettes hair cut from her as a child matched DNA believed to be from her son, King Louis XVII

Petrarch[edit | edit source]

The remains of Francesco Petrarca had DNA extracted from them in 2003.

Romanov: Tzar Nicholas II of Russia and Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna[edit | edit source]

Tzar Nicholas II of Russia and Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna were DNA tested along with the other bodies in their mass grave. The tests concluded that five of the skeletons were members of one family and four were unrelated. Three of the five were determined to be the children of two parents. The mother was linked to the British royal family, as was Alexandra. The father was determined to be related to several other Romanovs. Scientists said they were more than 99% sure that the remains were those of the Czar, his family and their attendants. Two skeletons remain unaccounted for: Alexei, the 13-year-old heir to the throne, and one of his sisters, either Maria or Anastasia. Anastasia received worldwide notoriety when rumors spread that she alone had survived the murders.

• Tzar Nicholas Romanov & Count Trubetskoy: mtDNA Haplogroup T (16126C, 16169Y*, 16294T, 16296T, 73G, 263G, 315.1C)
• Empress Alexandra & Prince Philip: mtDNA Haplogroup H (16111T, 16357C, 263G, 315.1C)

*Tsar Nicholas has a heteroplasmy, an instance of multiple mitochondrial types together in one cell of an individual: a normal & mutational cell, at 16169Y. The results were the same for Grand Duke Georgij Romanov, his brother.

Yasdigird the Sasanian, King of Persia[edit | edit source]

Yasdigird has potentially been shown to belong to mtDNA haplogroup J1a [6]

References[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

• List of DNA tested mummies
• List of DYS markers
• haplotype
• Ancient DNA

External links[edit | edit source]

• Famous DNA
• Matching Genghis Khan
• DNA results from the Shroud of Turin
• Evidence of the Past: A Map and Status of Ancient Remains