Tracing the Storied Legacy of the Allen Name: A Fascinating DNA Journey Through iGENEA
Family name Allen
After seeking answers about my family's history and origins, I chose iGENEA DNA testing to shed light on my lineage. The experience offered a fascinating and enlightening insight into the origins and history of my surname, Allen. The results, tracing back my heritage to the Scottish Highlands and centering on central European haplogroup journeys, have resonated profoundly with me.
Ever since I can remember, the history, origins, and lineage of my family name, Allen, have always piqued my interest and filled me with curiosity. Our lore had a few tales passed down the generations, but nothing concrete that could satisfy my curiosity. I decided to take it a step further and seek a more definitive answer through genetic DNA testing from iGENEA. The experience was nothing short of fascinating and enlightening, expanding my understanding of the Allen surname considerably.
Upon receiving my DNA test kit from iGENEA, I found the instructions clear and easy to follow. After taking the test and sending the kit back, I waited eagerly for my results. The anticipation was comparable to waiting for the final piece of a complex puzzle.
The day I received the results was truly a revelatory one. The DNA analysis informed me that the Allen surname has Gaelic origins, particularly from the Scottish Highlands. While we always had whispers of Scottish heritage, nothing was more validating than reading it within the comprehensive research iGENEA provided. I found that my ancestors belonged to the sept 'MacFarlane.' As Scots began adopting surnames around the 10th century, the Gaelic Mac Phàrlain, meaning "Son of Parlan," was Anglicised to Allen.
This information led me into further research where I came across a captivating history of clanship, culture, warfare, and migration that painted a more vibrant picture of my Allen ancestors. The report also furnished a catalog of synonymous spellings and variants of the surname Allen, including Alan, Alain, Allan, and more, illustrating the name’s rich diversity and evolution over time.
The other valuable insight iGENEA provided was about our haplogroup, R-U152. This group's members were originally central Europeans spreading across the continent around 4,500 years ago, which greatly diversified our genetic makeup and heritage.
This DNA analysis has been a journey back in time. The understanding it granted regarding the origins and history of my family name was immeasurably valuable. It expanded my grasp of the historical contexts that have shaped the Allen surname and illuminated links between my DNA and the geographical and cultural trajectories of my ancestors. It was an intimate glance into the past, unraveling threads of history intertwined with my genes.
This newfound knowledge has not just answered long-standing questions but has ignited a greater interest within me to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of my heritage. The DNA test conducted by iGENEA has, indeed, transformed my understanding of the Allen lineage and tied me closer to my ancestors in an exceptionally profound way.
S. Allen