Surprises and Revelations: My iGENEA DNA Test Experience and the Unexpected Ancestry of the Crook Surname
Family name Crook
I recently dug deep into my origins with the iGENEA DNA test, expecting a basic confirmation of my British ancestry. However, the test had more surprises up its sleeve than I would've guessed, establishing an interesting and unexpected narrative of my lineage, divulging connections way beyond my antique homeland.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had this conviction that I’m solely British. So, when I decided to take the iGENEA DNA test, I expected nothing less than a confirmation of my presumptions. However, the results have taken me on an unexpected journey, revealing fascinating truths that I previously had no inknowledgement about. Revealing my origins further than I could have imagined, my DNA analysis has reshaped my understanding of where I come from and, indirectly, who I am.
The surname 'Crook' resonated as typically British in my mind, but the iGENEA test provided a totally different outlook, proving that my ancestors were not native to the UK. Surprisingly, I have found out that the surname ‘Crook’ previously belonged to Viking invaders who arrived in the UK in the 8th century. The name originally meant 'cunning' or 'skillful', characteristics the Vikings were well-known for, and was likely bestowed by the indigenous peoples they encountered.
Further into the analysis, it showed that my maternal gene pool routes to Romantic language-speaking regions mainly concentrated in what we know today as France and Italy. The DNA sequence related to my maternal lineage is rare in the UK; however, it's more prevalent among the population of France and Italy, indicating that my ancestors likely migrated from these regions to the UK.
My paternal DNA, on the other hand, has a Scandinavian footprint, suggesting a Viking ancestry. Researchers found that a good number of men in Northwestern England carry this rare sequence, and they are presumably descendants of Vikings.
The iGENEA DNA test has been a journey of revelation indeed. It subverted my preconceived notions about my origins and gave me a fresh narrative of my genetic past, tracing my lineage to Vikings and Romantic language-speaking communities of ancient Europe rather than purely British ancestry. It was not only a learning experience but also offered a brand new perspective on my identity.
Z. Crook