McCREA/McREA Family Origins
There are many different groups of McCREA families in the world (and many other spelling variants). Most presumably originated in Scotland or Ireland, however many genealogists (myself included) do not know from which group they descend. The relationships between the different families has been the subject of considerable speculation. Now, with the advent of DNA testing for genealogical purposes, we can begin to evaluate those relationships scientifically.
For many McCREA genealogists whose ancestors left Europe for other parts of the world in the 18th and early 19th centuries it is difficult or impossible to establish their place of origin using conventional genealogical methods. The records in Scotland, and especially Ireland are often inadequate to establish a definite link. But now there is DNA testing...
In the last few years a new tool has been developed that can address genealogical issues such as this: DNA analysis. Specifically, by looking at genes on the Y-chromosome it is possible to compare the ancestry of males with the same surname to determine whether they have a common ancestor, and to some degree, how long ago their common ancestor may have lived.
Only males have a Y-chromosome. It comes only from their father, who got it from his father, etc. Since the Y-chromosome comes only from the father, it descends through the paternal line in the same way as the surname does. By comparison of the specific DNA sequences, it is possible to show that two individuals have a common ancestor. It is not, however, possible to determine exact relationships with this technique.
Y-chromosomal DNA may also be able to help solve some of the major question concerning the different groups of McCREAs. As you can see in the MAPS, there are many spellings of the name in use in the UK and Ireland today. If DNA samples could be collected from McCREA males with identified origins in Europe (or from their known descendants in the United States or elsewhere), we may be able to determine the relationships between the various groups and also link our various immigrant ancestors of unknown origin with those known families.
INTERESTED IN HELPING???
We need McCREA (or any spelling variants) surnamed males to donate DNA samples (collected by swabbing a q-tip like device on the inside of your cheek, not from a blood sample) who have traced their lineage back to a place of origin in Europe or people that are still working on finding their link to their place of origin.
If you are not a McCREA (or variants) surnamed male and would still like to help, there are two ways you can contribute to the project. We need help in identifying and contacting potential McCREA's to be tested, and secondly, you could volunteer to help pay for the analysis of DNA samples from those that don't want to pay for the analysis themselves.
If you would be interested in participating in this project, contact Ken McCrea.
This site will be updated as the project continues and will include the test results as we get them. Results will not identify individual participants, only the lines from which the descend.
Maps showing where in
Pennsylvania various
McCREA name variants are found today.
Maps showing where in the
UK and Ireland various
McCREA name variants are found today.
Page last updated 20 October 2005.