Unraveling Surprising Eastern European and North African Roots in the Lucas Surname through iGENEA DNA Test
Family name Lucas
Upon taking the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered new facets to my heritage that were both surprising and enlightening. For someone who believed their lineage was firmly rooted in the United Kingdom, traces of Eastern European DNA added a twist to the tale. Further, the origins of my surname, Lucas, led me back to the ancient Greek name "Loukas”, offering a richer understanding of my genealogy.
Recently, I embarked on a journey through time and genetics with the iGENEA DNA test. The results were startling and provided more insight into my heritage than I could have imagined. Surprisingly, my test revealed a higher percentage of Eastern European DNA than anticipated, leading me down a rabbit hole of genealogical research.
Growing up in a family that held a strong lineage to Western Europe, namely the United Kingdom, I was taken aback by this unexpected twist rooted in my DNA sequence. The Lucas surname, from my understanding, was Anglo-Saxon. But, the iGENEA DNA test painted a different, multifaceted picture, one tinged with Eastern European hints.
Further research enlightened me about the possible migration of my ancestors. Turns out, the Lucas surname was indeed prevalent in England, but it originally descended from the ancient Greek name "Loukas", meaning "from Lucania", which is an ancient area in Southern Italy.
The discovery helped me trace back my lineage to the times of the eastern Roman Empire, better known as the Byzantine Empire. It was likely that - due to wars, trade, or political changes - the erstwhile Lucas ancestors migrated to different parts of Europe, Western and Eastern alike.
These surprises didn’t end there. The test also revealed a minor percentage of North African DNA. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. This suggested that either my paternal or maternal line might have roots tied to those distant lands, possibly on account of the migration and intermingling across the Mediterranean sea in the historical era.
The revelations from the iGENEA DNA test have truly expanded my global identity, linking me to vast geographical territories and varied cultures. Needless to say, understanding your DNA connects you not only to your immediate predecessors but also to ancient global histories, making the whole world seem like one large family tree.
E. Lucas