Navigating the Windswept Seas of my DNA: Unravelling Unexpected Origins of the Eckert Surname with iGENEA
Family name Eckert
My recently concluded iGENEA DNA test has been an unexpected journey into the past, revealing surprising origins of my surname, Eckert. My meticulous test results debunked the belief that I am of solid German lineage and instead traced my ancestors back to Scandinavia and even unearthed a strong Celtic connection on my maternal side.
My DNA journey with iGENEA was indeed an unexpected adventure, revealing unknown depths to my family history and personal genetics. The revelation that struck me as the most astounding was the origin of my surname, Eckert.
Eckert, as I have known, was a true-blue German name. My family held steadfast to this belief, tracing our lineage back to Bavaria through handwritten family trees, scattered photographs, and echoing stories passed down through generations. As tradition required, I was persuaded that the men named Eckert were hailing from the land of sauerkraut, beer, and lederhosen.
Imagine my surprise when the iGENEA test results revealed that gene carrying the Eckert moniker likely originated from Scandinavia. It felt like a plot twist in a riveting thriller, a revelation enough to seize my family's sleep.
Drilling further into the test results, I discovered that my paternal lineage traced back to the haplogroup I-M253, common in the Vikings. Hence, our Eckert men were not only swinging beer steins but likely swinging swords aboard longships, navigating the windswept seas.
The iGENEA DNA test has also identified a strong Celtic connection in my maternal lineage, which I had never anticipated. I assumed I was solidly German on my mother's side. Discovering Celtic traces in my DNA has stirred a newfound curiosity about Gaelic culture, history, and language. The Celtic angle is fascinating and one I am excited to explore.
While the iGENEA findings were surprising, I realized that our surname 'Eckert' essentially remains German. It indicates a geographical reference - 'ackar' means 'acre' or 'field' in old German. It appears we've been farmers and warriors, Norse and Celts, Nordic and Germanic, all melding into the modern family I know and love today.
U. Eckert