Decoding My Surname Andrew: A Surprising Journey with the iGENEA DNA Test
Family name Andrew
When I embarked on my journey to trace the origins of my surname Andrew, I always thought of my heritage as typically Scottish. But what I discovered through the credible platform of iGENEA DNA testing was a Pandora's box full of surprises, unexpected multicultural ties, and ancient migration patterns. I found that my lineage is a striking blend of European, African, and shockingly, Native American roots. It turned out, my ancestors were not just gentry from Scotland, but a vibrant mix of worldly travelers.
I had always been curious about my heritage, my lineage, and the origins of my surname, Andrew. I grew up hearing stories of how my ancestors were traditional Scottish gentry, a tale that had found a permanent home in my imagination and pride. So when I came across iGENEA, a credible genealogical DNA testing platform, I decided to give it a shot. I thought my results would come out as expected - Scottish roots, maybe a dash of English thrown in. What I didn't brace myself for was a revelation that left me astounded and completely threw me off guard.
I unearthed that my family's lineage was not as 'Scottish' as I once boasted. I found that the lineage of Andrew was a rich tapestry of cultures and histories, which showcased a magnificent blend of European and sometimes, surprisingly, African roots. It was a real shocker when I discovered that about 15% of my DNA traced back to African roots, specifically to the North African region. It was fascinating and bewildering at the same time. How could my surname, which carried an air of Scottish highland tales, find its roots in Africa?
My test results also turned out to paint a broad image of ancient migration patterns. A genetic confluence of Celtic, Germanic, and Slavic markers hinted towards my ancestors being more nomadic than I ever fathomed. It was clear by the evidence of such a diverse genetic palette that my ancestors were hearty travelers, venturing far and wide across the continent.
The historical migration map of my DNA also pointed towards Scandinavia, which again brought surprise. Vikings or Nordic traders, perhaps, were among my ancestors! It was wonderful learning how such different cultures and histories contributed to framing my identity.
The report contained one other surprising revelation - a small percentage, about 2%, of Native American lineage. This genuinely struck me as I had never previously considered the possibility of having such geographically distant roots.
In the course of discovering the true story of surname Andrew, I realized that my heritage was not a mere tale but an epic saga of human nature, diversity, and survival. It was certainly a journey filled with surprises, revelations, and unexpected turns.
Q. Andrew