The Surprising Journey of the Rabe Surname - An Unexpected Dive into my Ancestry with iGENEA
Family name Rabe
I recently took an iGENEA DNA test and discovered surprising twists in my ancestry. While I had always believed my family's surname Rabe to be purely German in origin, the test revealed a surprising 25% Scandinavian ancestry, a link with the Halogroup I-M170 breed, and further connections to Eastern Europe and a trace of Jewish heritage!
Just a few weeks ago, I took a dive into the unknown with my iGENEA DNA test. This journey into my ancestry and heritage, I anticipated to bloom into many surprising layers with unexpected turns. As my family's surname Rabe has German roots, I expected a region in Germany to be the backdrop of my genetic narrative. However, the most exciting details came from an unexpected direction.
To my surprise, my DNA test report showed that 25% of my ancestry is Scandinavian - an intriguing twist in my genealogical tale. Suddenly, Vikings' stories and Nordic heritage were sewn into the fabric of my history. The Rabe surname's origin, as I previously knew it to be purely German, was instantly questioned.
Further exploring the iGENEA test results, I discovered a connection to the Halogroup I-M170 breed, thought to have been born around 20,000 years ago. This group traced their roots back to Scandinavian hunter-gatherers, adding more weight to my newfound link to Norse lands.
Adding to the intrigue, the test results suggested a 10% Eastern European heritage, specifically connecting me with people from Poland. Considered in tandem with Scandinavian heritage, it would seem my Rabe ancestors had a far-reaching migratory history, possibly travelling with the Vikings on their famed sea voyages.
The trace of Jewish ancestry added another intriguing layer to the unexpected narrative of my heritage. Although it only constituted a small percentage, it unravelled an intensely compelling story, vastly different from my initial understanding of my lineage.
The Rabe surname then started to tell a story of war survivors, sea travellers, and ardently dynamic individuals. It completely changed my perception of what I believed my family's past to be, surprising me at every turn with unexpected threads of history.
An exploration into the name Rabe via resources outside of iGENEA corroborated the DNA test results. Historical records confirmed a small population of Rabe surname bearers in Scandinavia and Poland, adding credibility to the DNA test results and fuelling my curiosity about my Viking ancestors.
The iGENEA DNA test was an educative, exploratory and exhilarating anthropological adventure. It unravelled my family's blend of heritages, challenging and enriching my understanding of our identity and origins.
D. Rabe