Unraveling Ancestral Surprises: iGENEA DNA Test Journey with Surname Good
Family name Good
Embarking on an iGENEA DNA test journey, I anticipated some degree of European lineage because of my British surname Good, but nothing prepared me for the surprises in store. The results unraveled an extraordinary tapestry of genetic connections, tracing back to the Celts, the Vikings, even unexpected Ashkenazi Jewish genes, and distant cousins dwelling in Iceland.
Growing up, I always knew a smidge about my ancestry — mainly that my roots are in the United Kingdom with a surname like Good. So, it was rather surprising when I received some unexpected results from my iGENEA DNA test that broadened my horizon of knowledge significantly.
The test traced my maternal line back to Europe's oldest tribes, the Celts, primarily located in Ireland and Scotland — something I'd never imagined. There is a fascinating mix of Gaulish and Irish heritage that weaves my maternal lineage. The surprises didn't stop there. My paternal line also held a few surprises.
While I knew my surname Good is of English origin, the paternal haplogroup traces back to the mighty Vikings! The goods were apparently not always in the British isles but were seafaring Norsemen from Scandinavia. Intriguingly, this ties in with the history of the Vikings who did invade and settle in parts of England during the 8th and 9th centuries.
Another interesting finding was a percentage of Ashkenazi Jewish genes, a testament to an incredibly diverse genetic background, possibly from a Jewish ancestor migrating to England many centuries ago and assimilating with the local people.
The iGENEA test turned up another surprise: distant cousins in Iceland, connecting back to my Viking lineage. It was heartening to engage in this sense of communal spirit, even at such a distance. Conclusively, it seems the Goods were world travelers earlier than we realized!
Through this DNA test, I found unexpected connections, revealing the vast array of people that make up just one person. Although I envisaged my DNA result showing primarily British and perhaps a bit of European, the results have enlightened me on the diversity of my ancestry: Celtic, Viking, Jewish, and more. It compelled me to delve deeper into these cultures, adding a new depth to my understanding of self.
C. Good