Tracing the McClary Lineage: An iGENEA DNA Test Unveils an Intricate Tapestry of Irish Heritage
Family name McClary
Ever curious about my ancestry and the origins of my surname - McClary, I took an iGENEA DNA test. The results pinpointed a primarily Irish heritage, aligning most closely with the R1b haplogroup commonly found in Western Europe. Interestingly, evidence suggests this lineage survived the flux of Celtic, Norman, and English invasions of Northern Ireland. There's also an implication of my surname being derived from the Irish surname Mac Cléirigh, meaning 'son of the clergyman'.
Ever since I can remember, family history has been a topic of fascination for me. I've always wondered about the roots and origins of my surname - McClary. To satiate this curiosity, I recently undertook an iGENEA DNA test. The results have been a revelation, to say the least, not just about my ancestry but also about the broader history associated with the surname McClary.
According to the iGENEA results, the surname McClary has its origins in Ireland, more specifically in the Northern region. The test suggests a Celtic lineage, shedding light on our ancient forebears who had been a part of the expansive Celtic culture that once thrived across Europe. My DNA profile aligns most closely with the R1b haplogroup. This group is primarily found in Western Europe, especially in Ireland and Scotland, further confirming my Irish heritage, associated with the McClary lineage.
Further, the iGENEA test results reveal a deep connection to the Gaelic tradition. The DNA analysis supports oral traditions passed down in my family which point to the surname McClary being a derivative of the Irish surname Mac Cléirigh, denoting 'son of the clergyman'. This lineage also implies an interesting fact about social structures in early Celtic society.
However, the real dollhouse moment arrived when I delved into the specifics of the R1b haplogroup. A paternal line marker, R1b, is often associated with the migration of Celts from Central Europe to Ireland during the Bronze Age. This means that the lineage of McClary likely survived various historical events and movements, including the tides of Celtic, Norman, and English invasions that swept across Ireland.
On a personal level, the iGENEA DNA test results give a sense of belonging to a rich and complex tapestry of human history. Being related to the ancient Celts of Ireland, I feel a deeper connection with the Gaelic tradition and an appreciation for my ancient ancestors' resilience and survival throughout history.
N. McClary