willyjp
Junior Member
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
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- Location
- Portland, Oregon, USA
- Ethnic group
- Irish
- Y-DNA haplogroup
- R1b1a2a1a1b4: Z255+
In investigating my surname, in connection with family genealogy research, I have learned that my surname, "Prendergast" has the uncommon, if not rare, history of being traceable to its origin in Ireland in a single individual (or at least his immediate family). Maurice dePrendergast was a Cambro-Norman who's entry into Ireland is well documented (though details of how many close kin accompanied seem vague). His immediate origin was in Pembrokshire, Wales, where a place namesake persists to this day. His antecedents are somewhat less clear but apparently are attributable to one Norman of Flanders who took part in the Conquest in 1066. The name may have been acquired from a place name in Flanders, corrupted by passage through Norman French.
In any case, in investigating the Y genetics of my surname, I have learned that there are several well documented living descendants of Maurice dePrendergast, all of whom test R1a1a. Although we had a minor oral tradition in my family about descent from "one of William the Conqueror's Lieutenants", and even the explanation of the common given name "William" as being in honor of William himself, I was bemused to find that I tested R1b1a(2a1a1b4)....the common "Irish Sea" haplotype (I am actually Z255+/L159.2-, which is a bit uncommon).
Now I am well aware that there are a host of common reasons why a son might share the surname of a "father" without inheriting his Y-DNA. But I am writing this post in the hope of benefitting from some of the learning and wisdom about European history that I have observed in this forum. Specifically, I am soliciting comments about what historic cultural tendencies might make this occur, even make it common. Here I am alluding to comment about this I have seen (from less erudite sources) about the nature of property ownership and inheritance in Ireland after the Norman Conquest.
Is it true that, where the inheritance of property might be involved, sons might commonly take a mother's surname rather than the father's, if the estate was acquired through the family of the mother? Are there other common situations similar to this where a surname might not follow the "Y" line? Illegitimacy and adoption are of course common and always have been. But I am thinking of what other social institutions and customs might have influenced this to occur in those times.
Any comment or observations are most welcome, and thank you for your interest.
In any case, in investigating the Y genetics of my surname, I have learned that there are several well documented living descendants of Maurice dePrendergast, all of whom test R1a1a. Although we had a minor oral tradition in my family about descent from "one of William the Conqueror's Lieutenants", and even the explanation of the common given name "William" as being in honor of William himself, I was bemused to find that I tested R1b1a(2a1a1b4)....the common "Irish Sea" haplotype (I am actually Z255+/L159.2-, which is a bit uncommon).
Now I am well aware that there are a host of common reasons why a son might share the surname of a "father" without inheriting his Y-DNA. But I am writing this post in the hope of benefitting from some of the learning and wisdom about European history that I have observed in this forum. Specifically, I am soliciting comments about what historic cultural tendencies might make this occur, even make it common. Here I am alluding to comment about this I have seen (from less erudite sources) about the nature of property ownership and inheritance in Ireland after the Norman Conquest.
Is it true that, where the inheritance of property might be involved, sons might commonly take a mother's surname rather than the father's, if the estate was acquired through the family of the mother? Are there other common situations similar to this where a surname might not follow the "Y" line? Illegitimacy and adoption are of course common and always have been. But I am thinking of what other social institutions and customs might have influenced this to occur in those times.
Any comment or observations are most welcome, and thank you for your interest.