In the 11th century two MacTighernan families were noted in
Irish history as chiefs, Lord McTernan of Tullyhunco, Co Cavan and the
McTernans of Co Fermanagh. Their lines may well be extent at this
point in time. In recent history, at least since the famine years, most
of the MacTighernans in Ireland are found in Co Sligo and Co
Leitrim. The historical family origins of the majority of the DNA
testers are in Co
Leitrim. How we might connect to them or to each
other
is very
difficult to prove as written records in Ireland usually only start at
around
the 1850s going no further back in time.
The McTernans of Co Fermanagh may have disappeared and there are no known descendants of the other two 19th century historically well known MacTighernan families from Rockfield and Tullyhunco listed below. The seat of the Tullyhunco MacTighernan family for many hundreds of years was Cruacan mic Tigearnain where The O'Rourke was inaugurated Prince of the Bréfny. It is now called Croaghan, lying six furlongs [3/4 mile] northerly of the village of Killeshandra in the barony of Tullyhunco in Co Cavan. The MacTighernan castle ruins is at this web site: http://mctiernan.com/castle.htm
| Unconnected McTernan Ancestors | Townland of Origin | County | Barony | Civil parish | Catholic parish |
Dioceses | P L U | Probate District |
DNA Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McTernans of Rockfield |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ballina |
|
| McTernans of Tullyhunco |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cavan |
|
To date, almost all 40 tested
MacTighernans
that
know their origins
come from
this
small area in
NW Ireland shown in green on the map on the
left, 23 square miles more
or less with
the three exceptions, Gus
and Michael (NJ) whose verbal family history states that their line is
from
Scotland and David (CN)'s verbal family history states that
his family is from the Kilarney Lakes area of Ireland. Based on
the DNA study at this point in time it appears that the origins of most
MacTighernans
are in Co Leitrim.
Leitrim largely escaped the Viking raids between 874 and 950 and was
one of a handful of counties that escaped the 12th century Norman
invasion. Subsequently, however it was one of the first to be
settled
by the English in the 1600s. That meant that the old Irish feudal
system and traditions continued in Leitrim far longer than in other
counties but then disappeared much quicker with the arrival of English
settlers. The significant social, economic and political shifts
that
took place during the mid nineteenth century thus had their roots in
the changing patterns of land ownership and society in the decades and
centuries before.
In 1367 MacRaghnaill, O'Connor and MacTiernan accompanied by a troop of
gallowglasses, attempted to take Moylurg in Roscommon but returned
without having gained booty or consideration. Moylurg was the name of a
kingdom located in the north-east of Connacht,
the western province of Ireland, from c.956-1585. The Kings of Moylurg were a branch of the Sil Muiredaig, who were
themselves of the Ui Briuin who descended from The
Connachta.
The kingdom's first king, Maelruanaidh Mor mac Tadg, was a son of Tadg mac Cathal (King of Connacht 925-956) and brother to Conchobar mac Tadg, who succeeded as king in 967. Maelruanaidh is said to have made a deal of some nature where, in return for abandoning any claim to the provincial kingship, he would be given Moylurg. His dynasty were known as the Clan Mulrooney, and later still took the surname of MacDermot.
While Leitrim is one county, it is culturally divided into North and South Leitrim with Lough Allen being the dividing line. In South Leitrim from the mid 1500s, the clan way of life was under serious threat. An increasingly powerful English administration was slowly but surely extending its influence and dominion. In a visit to Mohill in 1540, the Saxons destroyed the monastery and beheaded the guardian and several of the friars. By 1590, the English government forces were actively routing the local clans. All MacTighernans in the DNA test from Leitrim come from the north with the exception of Ed (NJ) whose family origin is in South Leitrim.There is no way to know for certain what the total number is
for distinct genetically separate MacTighernan families on a worldwide
basis. At this time it would be a guess to say how many there would be
worldwide. The below chart
gives a reasonable approximation as to the individual MacTighernan
density
in Ireland and the
main countries of immigration as of 2004. Many of the individuals
counted in
the specific country are most likely related so the numbers below are
most likely higher than they should be. Those that have already
completed the
DNA test and
their known relations are not counted in the below chart. None the less
the gross
totals
below would be greater than what the actual total would be for any of
the
specific geographic areas.
| As
of 2004 the
approximate total of individuals by country with surname spellings of McTiernan, MacTiernan, McTernan It is safe to say that the real total of separate MacTighernan families is less than these numbers These numbers exclude the DNA tester and their related family members if known |
|||
| Ireland |
122 |
||
| American population by state |
NY |
82 |
|
| NJ |
26 |
||
| FL |
20 |
||
| |
MA |
18 |
|
| PA |
15 |
||
| CA |
15 |
||
| IL |
9 |
||
| CT |
7 |
||
| OH |
6 |
||
| VA |
6 |
||
| MD |
5 |
||
| GA |
3 |
||
| CO |
3 |
||
| WA |
3 |
||
| LA |
2 |
||
| one each in RI, WY, AZ, MO, KA,
ME, DE |
7 |
||
| American Total |
227 |
||
| UK, including England, Wales,
Scotland & N. Ireland |
141 |
||
| Canada |
32 |
||
| Australia |
43 |
||
| Gross total of individuals with our
surnames, testers not included |
565 |
||
Based on what I have read there
are 153 distinct
genetic population haplogroups
in the world, with all of the tested MacTighernans falling in the R1b haplogroup as well as 70 %
of all those tested at the FamilytreeDNA lab. Most of
western Europe's population is also in the R1b haplogroup. Haplogroups
are genetic population groups that identify where in the
Y-DNA or mtDNA tree of humanity you fit in. Haplogroups are what
allow
us to identify how large groups of people migrated from Africa around
60,000 years ago to different parts of the world.
A recent study by Brian Mcvoy was conducted at Trinity College Dublin,
Ireland, which
found that a striking percent 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. The T3 Group baseline
matches
Niall's DNA 23 / 25 so they would descend from Niall, his uncle, his
cousin or his
brother. The remaining DNA groups in the MacTighernan study are
not even close. Details are at this web site:
http://www.familytreedna.com/matchnialltest.html
| 40 test takers completed in the
MacTighernan
DNA test as of June 11, 2008 In process means the kit is at the lab, TBR means kit is to be returned, pending means not yet decided to do the test |
In process at lab |
TBR |
Pending |
Total |
||
| MacTighernans |
40 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
45 |
|
| The O'Ruairc of Bréifne | 1 |
1 |
||||
| The O'Conor Don |
||||||
| Totals |
40 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
46 |
The 10 separate and different
MacTighernan DNA groups are labeled
with the
letter T. It is
just a naming convention as each of the DNA groups are in all
ways equal, none being more
pure than the other.
| The genetic and
geographic spread of the 40 MacTighernan testers 28 of the 40 know their county of origin |
||||||||||||||
| MacTighernan
Testers County of Origin |
Testers
that know their townland of origin |
Tester's
country at time of test |
Tester's continent |
Testers |
||||||||||
| DNA Group |
Leitrim |
Sligo |
Roscommon |
Cavan |
Scotland |
Unknown |
Total |
Leitrim |
17 |
America | North America |
22 |
||
| T |
8 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
16 |
Sligo |
3 |
England | Europe |
7 |
|||
| Ta |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Roscommon |
1 |
Ireland | Europe | 2 |
||||||
| Tb |
1 |
1 |
Cavan |
Canada | North America |
4 |
||||||||
| Tc |
1 |
1 |
Scotland | Australia | Australia |
1 |
||||||||
| Td |
1 |
1 |
Unknown | 19 |
Indonesia | Asia | 1 |
|||||||
| T3 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
Zimbabwe | Africa | 1 |
||||||||
| T3a |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Iraq | Asia | 1 |
||||||||
| T3b |
1 |
1 |
Scotland | Europe | 1 |
|||||||||
| T3c |
1 |
1 |
||||||||||||
| T2 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
||||||||||
| Total |
22 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
40 |
Total |
40 |
9 |
5 |
40 |
||
| TBR | 1 |
1 |
||||||||||||
| in
process at lab |
1 |
1 |
||||||||||||
There are two goals of the DNA game. The first goal
is to find the center of origin [townland] for each of the ten
different
MacTighernan DNA
groups.
| Below is the guess
at this point in time as to the possible centers of origin for each
of the 10 different MacTighernan DNA
groups |
||||
| 10 MacTighernan
DNA Group baselines |
Possible
Townland for the Center of Origin for each DNA Group |
Total
# in each group |
Perfect 25 / 25 matches in their group |
|
| 1 |
T |
Leonagh townland or Tullynacross
townland, Co Leitrim or Mount Allen townland, Co Roscommon or Killinagh Parish, Co Cavan |
16 |
7 |
| 2 |
T a |
Derrinvoher
townland, Co Leitrim |
2 |
2 |
| 3 |
T b |
Feenagh townland, Co
Leitrim |
1 |
|
| 4 |
T c |
Unknown |
1 |
|
| 5 |
T d |
Co Leitrim |
1 |
|
| 6 |
T 2 |
Co Sligo or Corglancey townland or Drumahaire (T), Co Leitrim | 7 |
3 |
| 7 |
T 3 |
Geevagh Parish or townland of Tap
both in Co Sligo or Kilcoosy, Co Leitrim |
8 |
6 |
| 8 |
T 3 a |
Corratawy townland, Co Leitrim |
2 |
2 |
| 9 |
T 3 b |
TBD or maybe Scotland ? | 1 |
|
| 10 |
T 3 c |
Tulcon townland,
South Leitrim |
1 |
|
| Total MacTighernan tests completed |
40
|
|||
| MacTighernan test in process at the lab: Cathal (117675) | 1 |
|||
| MacTighernan test TBR = To Be Returned: Jim III (122584) | 1 |
|||
| MacTighernan tests pending:
Mick,
Gary & Kevin |
3 |
|||
| O'Rorke test completed |
1 |
|||
The ancestors of the two McTernan families from Leonagh, Rory's
from Mountallen,
The second goal is
to provide a guaranteed path that leads to a common MacTighernan
ancestor for each tester in their specific DNA group. If you
are a
close genetic match with another MacTighernan in your DNA group you may
have a
lot
of work to do to find a common ancestor but still you are on the right
path.
Several of the most recent MacTighernans tested have
scored
a
higher number of mutations than previous testers, i.e. Gus in
the T3b Group
& Ed (NJ) in the T3c Group
and
Michael
(Eng) in the T2 Group. Michael
(Eng) had a 3 step mutation in
locus 25 which is very unusual but loci 21 - 25 mutate more
frequently than others. The problem here is that the last four loci
have a
different way of being tested. What looks like individual
mutations can and most often are repeat mutations. This poses the
problem of how to score the test and then secondarily how we relate to
each other. FamilytreeDNA
has published a web site that is based on mutation
event differences
which is a combination of both
differences in loci and differences in mutations.
The mutation event difference
takes
into account false repeats in loci 464a-d that look like mutations but
aren't. Michael
(Eng)'s has a 3 loci difference with a total of 5 mutations from the
T2 baseline. Off
the FTdna web site Michael (Eng) shows an mutation
event
difference
of 2 to his T2 baseline not a difference of 3 loci or 5
mutations. All but one of Michael
(Eng)'s mutation activity is in the last 4 loci [464a-d] which is the
most
confusing to score. So I have changed all our scores on how we
match up and relate to each other to reflect what
the FTdna lab test site says they are. However, the raw scores have
not been altered, being listed exactly as they have been reported.
This indicates that the MacTighernan testers have
fallen into
ten unrelated, separate and distinct DNA groups. This is based on
recent studies,
where the
FTdna lab now
says that if
you have a 2 mutation
event
difference
[23/25] you still relate and the probability of a close relationship is
good, however the results show mutations and therefore more time
has elapsed between the common ancestor for yourself and the others
that you match 23 / 25 or better. If your have a 3 mutation event
difference [22/25] you probably do not relate and are outside of the
closest DNA group. Both Scott (AU) and Gene are 3 event mutations off
the T
Group baseline. Scott (AU)'s 3 event mutations are spread over 3
different loci. Gene's on the other hand are all in one locus,
locus # 1. Based on this and the lab's opinion that it is a
radical mutation Gene is listed in the T Group whereas Scott (AU) is
not. Scott (AU) forms his own separate DNA Group, Ta which is one of the 10 DNA
groups.
Chris McTurnan's scores are off 4 from the T Group
baseline which genetically puts him outside of the T Group
baseline. However, Chris does match Douglas (CN) 23 / 25 which means
that he
and
Douglas (CN) genetically relate. Douglas (CN) is in the T Group and
Chris's
4 mutations are among the 12 that have the highest frequency
rate. So Chris may in fact be closer to the T Group baseline than
the
scores suggest but that has to be better understood. Being
consistent at least until more is understood, Chris will begin the
ninth
DNA Group called Tc.
Also, the remaining
mystery in our
DNA test group is if one of us is off a specific baseline by 3 or 4
mutations or rather mutation events which
implies that you are in a whole separate and distinct DNA group and you
do
not genetically relate to that
baseline or your common ancestor is
well beyond 2000 years or 70 generations back in time then that leaves
the question of
how we
all ended
up with identical surnames, if surnames only began in the year
1120. A guess is that way back in time before surnames came into
use there existed in or around Cos Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo or Cavan a
tribe or
clan
whose leader was called MacTighernan. In Gaelic, MacTighernan
means "son of Lord". When
surnames first started all the male warriors might have just
taken the chief's name for themselves which might be a reasonable
explanation or guess
as to how we all ended up with ten different genetic groups from one
small area of Connacht, Ireland all with the same surname.
The below grid has the raw test scores. The terms
locus [loci
is the plural of locus] and DYS all pretty much mean the same thing. I
would just look at them as categories. DYS stands for: D = DNA, Y =
Y-chromosome, S = (unique) segment. The DYS numbering scheme (e.g.
DYS390, DYS394) for the Y-STR haplotype loci is controlled and
administered by an international standards body called HUGO Human Gene
Nomenclature Committee based at University College, London. DYS is the
scientific allele number.
Each tester's scores are valid and
differences are only
considered
mutations
when contrasted to the baseline of their closest DNA group. As
an example all testers that are listed as T + 1 or T + 2 are in the
T Group but show mutations off of the T Group baseline by one or
two. While the
Ta, Tb & Tc testers are outside of the T Group baseline range and
in their
own specific group their mutations are still compared to the T Group
baseline. The T3a, T3b & T3c groups are outside the T3 Group
baseline range as
well and their mutations are also shown off the T3 Group baseline.
All testers in the T2 Group likewise show mutations
against the T2 Group baseline.
Each individual's test results are matched and compared to the baseline of their closest specific DNA group and all the other MacTighernans. Those that have a perfect match i.e. 25 / 25 in their specific DNA group become part of the baseline of their DNA group. At this time five of the ten DNA groups have only one individual. Eoghan and Jim (NJ) both in the baseline of the T3 Group match each other on the 37 market test, 36 / 37 which means they are closely related.
| MacTighernan
actual raw test scores & event mutations for the 10 DNA groups
Each of the groups are in a different color. Single step mutations off a baseline in the below grid are in red ( ) and 2 or 3 step mutations are in dark blue [ ] The testers in the left column that are the baselines for each of the individual 10 DNA groups have a light red background |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individual, kit # & 10 Groups |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
|
393 |
390 |
19 / 394 |
391 |
385a |
385b |
426 |
388 |
439 |
389i |
392 |
389ii |
458 |
459a |
459b |
455 |
454 |
447 |
437 |
448 |
449 |
464 a |
464 b |
464 c |
464 d |
|
|
Mark
673 T, Tony 106135 T
Martin 3713 T Michael (CN) 3436 T Rory 1029 T John (ST) 49265 T Thomas (CA) 17363 T |
13
|
24 |
14
|
11
|
11
|
14
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
30
|
17
|
9
|
9
|
11
|
11
|
25
|
15
|
19
|
29
|
15
|
15
|
17
|
17
|
|
Michael 674 T + 1
|
13
|
24 |
14
|
11
|
11
|
14
|
12
|
12
|
(13)
|
13
|
13
|
30
|
17
|
9
|
9
|
11
|
11
|
25
|
15
|
19
|
29
|
15
|
15
|
17
|
17
|
|
Jim (CA) 646 T + 1
|
13
|
24 |
14
|
11
|
11
|
14
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
30
|
17
|
9
|
(10)
|
11
|
11
|
25
|
15
|
19
|
29
|
15
|
15
|
17
|
17
|
|
Tom 640 T + 1
|
13
|
24 |
14
|
11
|
11
|
14
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
30
|
17
|
9
|
9
|
11
|
11
|
(24)
|
15
|
19
|
29
|
15
|
15
|
17
|
17
|
|
David
(CN) 49264 T + 1
& Bob (CN) 85141 T + 1 |
13 |
24 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
30 |
17 |
9 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
25 |
15 |
19 |
(30) | 15 |
15 |
17 |
17 |
| Douglas (CN)) 49264 T + 2 | 13 |
24 |
14 |
11 | 11 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
30 |
17 |
9 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
25 |
15 |
19 |
(30) |
15 |
15 |
[15] | 17 |
|
Michael (NJ) 85140 T + 2
|
13
|
24
|
14
|
(10)
|
11
|
14
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
30
|
17
|
9
|
9
|
11
|
11
|
25
|
15
|
19
|
(30)
|
15
|
15
|
17
|
17
|
| Larry
26554 T + 2 |
13 |
24 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
(14) |
30 |
17 |
9 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
25 |
15 |
19 |
29 |
15 |
15 |
[15] |
17 |
| Gene
9498
T + 3 |
[10] |
24 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
30 |
17 |
9 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
25 |
15 |
19 |
29 |
15 |
15 |
17 |
17 |
| Jim III 122584 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cathal 117675 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Scott
(AU) 639 T a Group
& Adrian 106134 T a Group |
13 |
24 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
12 |
(13) |
12 |
13 |
13 |
30 |
17 |
9 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
25 |
15 |
19 |
29 |
15 |
15 |
(16) |
(16) |
| John
(USA) 635 T b Group |
13
|
24 |
14
|
11
|
11
|
14
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
30
|
(18)
|
9
|
9
|
11
|
11
|
25
|
15
|
19
|
[27]
|
15
|
15
|
(16)
|
17
|
| Chris
McTurnan 31886 T c Group |
13 |
24 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
(11) |
13 |
13 |
30 |
17 |
9 |
(10) |
11 |
11 |
25 |
15 |
19 |
(30) | 15 |
15 |
[15] |
17 |
| John
Frank 117676 T d Group |
13 |
24 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
(13) |
13 |
13 |
(29) |
(18) |
9 |
(10) |
11 |
11 |
25 |
15 |
19 |
(30) |
(14) |
(14) |
17 |
17 |
| Geoffrey
3435 T2, Bernie 2145 T2 & Max 71428 T2 |
13 |
24 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
29 |
17 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
25 |
14 | 19 | 31 |
15 |
15 |
16 |
19 |
| Adam
19343 T2 + 1 |
13 |
24 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
29 |
17 |
9 |
(9) |
11 |
11 |
25 |
14 |
19 |
31 |
15 |
15 |
16 |
19 |
| Michael
(Eng) 5449 T2 + 2 |
13 |
24 |
14 |
11 |
11 |
14 |
12 | ||||||||||||||||||