The Unexpected Icelandic & Viking Lineage: A Surprising discovery in My Elliott Ancestry
Family name Elliott
Venturing into the past through my DNA test, I discovered unexpected lineage in my Elliott surname. Contrary to the strictly Scottish-English ancestry I had assumed, the iGENEA DNA test revealed a significant percentage of my DNA as Icelandic, unveiling a Viking connection that brings a whole new perspective to the Elliott ancestry.
I have always been fascinated with the story my DNA carries within. So, I took the iGENEA DNA test to explore my roots and the journey it took to create the person I am today; an Elliott. However, the DNA test result was not what I anticipated.
Growing up, I was told we were distinctly Scottish with a dash of English influence. The tales of the rugged Scottish Highlands from where our ancestors hailed was imbibed into our family chronicles. So, it came as a complete surprise when the DNA test exposed a significant Icelandic gene pool.
As per iGENEA, 36% of my DNA is purely Icelandic, which is surprising as there were no stories or family legends pointing towards any connections with Iceland. How did a fraction of DNA from a distant nation wind up in a predominantly Scottish and English bloodline? The DNA test seems to have unearthed an unexpected chapter in the Elliott ancestry that was previously unknown.
The test also exposed a strong Viking connection. Although our family had always idle stories about our Viking lineage, this has confirmed what was once considered a family myth. The Viking lineage traces back to the Early Middle Ages, a time when they were known to settle in Scotland after their extensive explorations.
It's interesting to see that the Elliott surname could have originated from the Nordic name 'Eliúd', a popular name among Vikings. This contradicts the widely held belief that 'Elliott' was of English or even French descent.
Finally, the DNA test broadly painted my genetic makeup - mainly Icelandic and Scottish, with hints of English. The reservoir of Elliott's lineage isn't as linear as we previously believed. The DNA journey has been sprinkled with Viking adventures, Middle Age conquests, and unforeseen crossings with the people of Iceland.
V. Elliott