For Those interested in genetic geography
Origins and Migrations of Haplogroup R1b>U152>Z56 By Archaeology and Y-DNA Genetic Analysis
A Brief History of the Indo-European R1b Peoples of Western Europe
The following narrative, which is compiled from the published works of Jean Manco (Ancestral Journeys and Blood of the Celts) and other sources, attempts to summarize the geographic path of our ancestors based on current data and hypotheses. As in all science, these may change. Advances in genetic science paint a new picture of R1b settlement waves coming into Europe from the Pontic Steppe near the Black and Caspian Seas, which together with cultural diffusion, came to dominate the older Neolithic populations of Europe, whose remnants are still present on the landscape. Y-chromosome concentration maps of Western Europe today still reflect the movements of peoples that have accrued over centuries and millenia.
Our R-Z56 subclade of the Y-chromosome tree is a third level branch below the R1b haplogroup. It's various subclades comprise the majority of Western Europe's current male population. R1b contains two major downstream first level subclades (SNP mutations), P312 and U106, that formed perhaps 5000 ybp (years before present). U106 is commonly referred to as the Germanic haplogroup, and its members currently comprise a large portion of the male population north of the Alps, east of the Rhine River to the Oder River and northward through southeast-central England to southwest Norway. P312 contains three major (and some minor) downstream subclades, S461, DF27 and U152. These are believed to have formed roughly 4500 ybp, and are often collectively referred to as the Celtic peoples. Archaeologists believe they are the direct descendants of the early Yamnaya Culture, who established a mounted pastoral society in the Pontic Steppe grasslands north and east of the Black Sea, and spread into the Lower and Middle Danube River Basin in the 8000-6000 ybp time frame. Besides domesticating horses and cattle, these people developed the first copper mines in the Hungarian Basin and are credited with developing wheeled vehicles. Maps at the end of this document show the generalized distribution (by percent) of each of these subclades in the present day European male population.
A major cold period about 6200 ybp may have initiated the first major out migration of these peoples south and westward through north and central Italy, onward along the coastal Mediterranean to Spain and thence northward to southwestern Britain as the climate warmed again. Jean Manco refers to these as the Stelae people, who left a trail of funeral stelae (monuments) along their migration path. They developed copper mining along their route, together with the first tin mines in Britain. Prior to about 5300 ybp, major trade routes had been established linking Britain and the Mediterranean's emerging Bronze Age civilizations. The DF27 mutation may have occurred in Spain, where today it is the dominate male Celtic SNP, and spread to Britain in the first Celtic migration to the Isles. Another serious cold period (or series) may have begun in Britain around 5300 ybp, where evidence suggests a serious decline in cereal production and a dramatic loss of population occurred.
As the climate warmed again, a second major expansion of Yamnaya descendants moved north and west across the European Plain and back into the Hungarian Basin thence westward along the northern flank of the Alps. Archaeologists have tracked and named the European Plain movements by finds of distinctive pottery referred to as Bell Beaker and Corded Ware Culture. By about 4400 ybp, these peoples show up in areas of Ireland and Wales associated with copper mining. By 4200 ybp tin mines in Cornwall are being exploited. The S461 mutation is associated with this movement and its subclade L21 is the dominate SNP in today's male Celtic populations of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England. Bell Beaker is believed to have originated with the DF27 Celts of Spain and trans-located through trade and marriage.
The exact location of the U152 mutation is unknown, but its present day distribution map suggests a possible origin in Northern Italy where they may have been descendants of the Stelae people. Others believe that U152 originated from Yamnaya descendants north of the Alps and moved southward into Italy perhaps 3200 ybp. If so, then they found fertile ground and came to dominate the genetic landscape of Northern Italy from the Lepontic Alps to Tuscany and the Ligurian Coast. Roman authors referred to this area as Cisalpine Gaul. The SNP concentration maps show that, whatever the origin, U152 spread westward through Gaul, down the Rhine River and into areas of what is now Southern and Central Germany. It is suggested that U152 came to dominate the La Tene Culture which flourished from about 500 BC till the Roman conquest along the northern flanks of the Alps from the Rhone River in the west to the Danube River in the east.
A Brief History of the Z56, S47 and Z44 Subclades of Y-DNA Haplogroup R1b-U152
The Z56 mutation may have occurred in the Western Alps (west La Tene) perhaps 4100-4400 ybp and spread both north and south (see map). The very dominant R-Z56 subclade R-Z145, is very strong along the Rhine and French German border in Alsace Lorraine. Other subclades are found in the Rhine River Delta. Our S47 subclade may have moved south into the Rhone River valley and along the Ligurian coast.. Alternately, modern YDNA sampling of Italy shows R-Z56 to be very strong in the area of Tuscany (See map). This area was home to the Etruscans from 1000 BC till their absorption by Rome around 200 BC. The Etruscans at their peak established colonies in Southeastern France. Therefore, there is also the possibility of R-S47 migration into this area from Etruria at the time. Appx 500-300 BC.
Vincent van der Heijden, FTDNA's new Z56 administrator, has identified a large grouping of the S47 SNP in an area centered on Northwest Italy and southeast France that may date to about 1000 BC (or earlier), with an SNP formation date of roughly 2000 BC (see attached image later). Two major subclades are currently identified for S47 based on BigY (and comparable) testing. These include our group (Z44) with members located in Italy, Spain and the British Isles. A second subclade, BY3952 – CTS12976, has members in NW Italy, SE France and northward into Switzerland and Bavaria (part of the greater U152, La Tene Cultural Area). Mean subclade formation dates are estimated for both at about 3600 ybp (1600 BC) by YFull, based on a small set of samples with a large confidence interval range. If these age estimates are generally correct, then the core of our ancestral group may be part of one Celtic (R-U152) tribe that migrated into Southeastern France and Northern Italy from the north, or from Tuscany in Italy. The Z44 mutation probably occurred in this general area, and its offspring migrated across areas of north Italy, south France, Northwest Spain and Northwest England. For SNP-Tree theory to work, the Z44 mutation must be younger than S47 and older than the migrations that carried Z44 away from its origin area. We currently have very few samples, so further destinations may be found.
The Structure of the R-Z56>Z44 Subclade
The Z44 SNP Tree chart at the end of this paper shows the structure of the SNP branches (as we currently know them) below Z44. It is based on 6 men who have taken the BigY SNP test who are Z44. Only 3 of 6 have so far joined the Yfull analysis service (https://yfull.com/) which ages distances between SNP branches. It appears the Livesey branch at BY3949 may have diverged from the downstream SNPs that include Hoskins, Newtons, Breedloves and a Fraser about 900 ybp (1100 AD). This date is just after the Norman invasion of 1066. Other U152 Celts are known to have gone to England with the Danish Normans. We have no information to suggest we were among these … but it cannot be ruled out. Separation of the Newton and Breedlove branches from the Hoskins branch may have occurred about 600 ybp ((1400 AD) Two new members, one Spanish (Mr Cavazos) and one Italian (Mr de Franza) have taken Big-Y tests, which should be processed shortly. BY3949 may be the first known mutation to occur in Britain.
The R-Z44 Dispersal From Southeast France – Northwest Italy
For SNP-Tree theory to work, the Z44 mutation must be younger than S47 and older than the migrations that carried Z44 away from its origin area. A random mutation that occurs in one man accumulates through time in his descendants. By about 200 BC, the areas of Liguria and the Rhone Valley area were firmly controlled by Rome. Glenn Livesey has a theory that our ancestors may have arrived in NW Britain with the Legions. It is possible that our Spanish ancestor (Mr Cavazos) may have arrived in Spain in the same way. The Roman conquest of Iberia occurred from about 200 to 19 BC. The Northwest area of Spain of Mr Cavazos wasn’t pacified till 19 BC. Alternately, surname Cavazos has been suggested to derive from the Italian surname Cavazzo. If so, migration to Spain may have occurred after surnames became more common between 1000-1400 AD and NW Italy was a part of the Holy Roman Empire, which included Spain. Our group of 60 likely Z44 men is also spread across many (largely English) surnames, suggesting that the adoption of surnames in England (after about 1100 AD) occurred after the YDNA mutations were already in place.
Our group is lucky to have three very rare STR marker values, which I used to collect my initial list of about 60 likely Z44 matches from Family Tree Project Files. Vincent was very kind to inform me that all S47 (Z48) members seem to show an STR marker
value of 10 for DYS455 (#16), one of the slowest mutating STR markers in the first 37. This value is very rare, being found in only about 2.5% of all R1b samples. A value of 11 accounts for about 95% of all R1b samples. All 60 of our likely Z44 men have that value. In addition, the R-U152 project files show 25 additional Z56 men with that value from Italy (4), France (14), Spain (3). Bavaria (3) and Switzerland (1). This would seem to support the concept of an early R-S47 core area from the Rhone River to Milan from which branches spread at a later time, with linkages back to an older La Tene core area.
Secondly, STR marker dys392 = 15. Less than 1 percent of U152 project members have this value. All Z44 members so far have that value.
Thirdly, STR marker dys455 = 10 and 12. These two values separate Z44 into two groups: those where dys455-dys454 values equal 10-11 (Hoskins, Livesey, others), or dys454 = 12 (Breedlove, Newton, Fraser, Johnson, Grant, Morris, Carpenter, Douglas, Taylor, others); This must be a relatively recent mutation if the Hoskins 10-11 side split from the 10-12 side approximately 600 ybp. One of the six Breedloves testing has a value of 11 instead of 12.
Distribution of Z56>Z43>S47>Z44 in Britain
So far, all 60 men that I have included in my list because of specific values for the slowest-mutating STR markers have surnames associated with the British Isles. Two of six that have taken BigY SNP tests list an earliest-known ancestor that is from or may be traceable to NW England in an area from Lancashire to Chester to Birmingham. Glenn Livesey traces his to Thomas Livesey (d. 1598) in Lancashire. Mr. Hoskins traces his to a Hodgkinson (1651-89), location not stated … but the 1881 list of Great Britain surnames show Hodgkinsons exclusively located in the same general area from Blackburn to Derby. Glenn has noted that there was a major Roman base at Chester (XX Legion) and at least one smaller base at which Spanish cavalry was stationed just northeast perhaps 40-50 miles. While this does not prove Legion origin, it does provide one reasonable thesis for how a relatively small branch of Mediterranean Celtic YDNA arrived in Britain. Other routes are possible but the YDNA evidence is lacking.
To qualify to serve in the legions a soldier had to be a Roman citizen. Therefore, in the early period of the Roman occupation of England the legionaries would have been predominantly of Italian origin. It wasn’t until the emperor Caracalla gave citizenship to all free men in the empire in 212AD, that other provinces became a full recruiting zone for the army. Before 212AD some recruits from provinces could very well be the descendants of retired soldiers. This is a possible link for an origin out of Northwest Spain. With a permanent Roman presence or occupation, it is possible for descendants of veterans of Italian or Southeast France origin and citizens to be the ancestors of Mr Cavazos and later a British line. As YDNA evidence is lacking, this remains speculation as does other possible routes. The Latin name for Ribchester has the suffix Veteranorum, which indicates that veterans were settled here when the men of the unit stationed at Ribchester were retired from service. The etymology of the name Bremetenacum is difficult, but may stem from the Celtic word brez 'hill' coupled with a form of the Latin teneo meaning 'to occupy, retain, settle'. The full name would therefore be something along the lines of 'the Hilltop Settlement of the Veterans'.
Breedloves and Newtons cannot trace a specific ancestor to Great Britain. Our earliest known ancestral locations are dominantly Virginia from about 1700. Another related Newton lists an ancestor from 1620-1683 that is associated with New England. Surname Newton in the 1881 list of surnames in Great Britain shows a distribution extending from Liverpool southeastward through Birmingham. I was told that the New England Newton was associated with shipping, and Liverpool was a major port. Glenn Livesey has noted an old place name around the Roman fort at Chester named Newton. There is a Newton-le-Willows just outside of Liverpool. So far, no luck with Breedloves although there are a slim number of records of various possible spellings found on British ancestry sites. What seems clear is that Breedloves and Newtons were very closely related in Britain. We may find that the second and third currently identified SNP mutations to occur in Britain could be CTS1145 (Breedlove & Newton) and CTS7325 (Hoskins & Livesey).
Future Testing and More Discoveries
Our Z56>Z44 group is slowly expanding. More BigY tests among our 60 likely Z44 group would be useful as it would provide many more SNPs to match against the soon to be 8 existing tests. Many new branches would be discovered that could be generally dated . More samples would yield smaller date ranges. Mr Cavazos initially tested with the R-Z43 pack ($119), which currently tests for most of the SNPs discovered in our six BigY tests. He was assigned a terminal SNP of CTS8949 which was probably the youngest SNP where he matched all five of us. Others of our group could do the same thing and probably move themselves further along the tree. But no new SNPs (branches) would be discovered as they only test for known ones. When FTDNA has sales, the BIGY test costs about $500. It includes 561 STR markers as well as all SNPs, AND they generally give discounts to those who have already tested Y37, Y67 or Y111. The Most Recent BigY sale (August 1-31, 2018) for members that had already tested for Y37, Y67 or Y111 were priced at $459, $399 and $349. Previous testing below Y37 cost $499.
SNP Tests Versus STR Marker Tests
Many people are more familiar with the STR marker tests (Y12, Y25, Y37, Y67 & Y111) offered by Family Tree than with SNP tests such as Big-Y. Technically, STRs are locations on the Y-DNA chromosome where there are repeats in patterns of proteins. The number of times the pattern is repeated is given as an STR value. For R-S47 men, DYS455 (the name of the chromosome location) has 10 repeats, versus the normal of 11. An SNP is a chromsome location where there is a mutation in the chemical composition of the protein itself. For R-S47 men, a specific mutation at that location separates us from men that have different SNP location mutations. Both STR and SNP mutations are passed on to male offspring. Successful SNPs have accumulated great numbers of individuals over centuries.
The general rule has been that SNP tests (BigY) are useful for testing more ancient origins and relationships (100s to 1000s of years) because of there slower mutation rates, whereas STR marker tests are useful for testing more recent relationships (10s to 100s of years). But STR values can be used in combination with SNP results to uniquely identify a related group of people well back in time. As previously mentioned, a DYS455 marker value of 10 seems to separate Z56 SNP people into separate SNP subclades below the Z56 branch. DYS392 values of 15 (versus 13) and DYS492 values of 13 (versus 14) seem to further differentiate S47 (Z48) people into Z44 and CTS12796. These are SNP mutations that probably occurred 3000 to 4000 years ago. However, without SNP testing, a DYS455 value of 10 is not unique to SNP S47. For example, our Z44 members all have a DYS492 value of 13. This value has been called the “German” (R-U106) indicator since so many Germans seem to have it. But we are not U106. We are U152.
The “old” genealogy relies heavily on surnames linked to paper records to establish relationships. Paper records become fewer and further between over the last 400 or so years. Surnames, which were becoming established between 1100 to 1400 AD were superimposed on an existing genetic landscape where “clans” or other relationship groups were seemingly composed of people from many YDNA haplogroups and subclades. A journey through the FTDNA English-surname project pages associated with practically any member of our Z44 group, reveals a wide array of Y-haplogroups, of which our members are usually a distinct minority. With increased sampling, aging techniques for SNPs and STR markers may ultimately bridge this genetic relationship gap that occurred in the European Middle Ages and is made difficult by a lack of records.
