Surprising Ancestry: Unveiling the Bountiful Diversity of the Howland Lineage through an iGENEA DNA Test
Family name Howland
Scandinavian Vikings, Ashkenazi Jews, and Celtic tribes — my iGENEA DNA test has unveiled an unexpected multicultural heritage intricately tied to my Howland lineage. The surprise discovery of Norse, Eastern European, and Irish ancestry has changed my perception of myself and my place in the great human family tree.
My recent iGENEA DNA test has taken me by surprise. Through an exploratory journey into my genetic past, I've discovered profound truths about myself, my origins, and the lineage closely tied to my surname, Howland.
Contrary to my previous understating, my Howland lineage doesn't primarily trace back to the British Isles, as typical for the surname. Instead, my DNA results posited a much stronger genetic association with Scandinavia. The Vikings, it would appear, are my most ancient ancestors, a revelation I found wholly unexpected.
In fact, my DNA seemed to point specifically towards Norwegian ancestry — possibly a trace of the seafaring Norse who sailed to the British Isles in the era of Viking invasions. My Nordic background was a shock, and it led me to dig deeper into my family's history.
Further research indicated a potential connection to the Howlands of Fenstanton, Huntingdonshire, who have established links to Scandinavian roots. This led me to an exploration of the Howland family tree revealing several generations of Howlands who lived in Fenstanton before the emigration of John Howland, a passenger of the Mayflower, to America.
In a deeper dive into my paternal lineage, the test results unmasked another surprise. The presence of Eastern European genes, faint but undeniable, introduced a new narrative to my genetic tale. Some of my ancestors were likely Ashkenazi Jews, a revelation that is both fascinating and utterly unanticipated. This latent Jewish ancestry apparently comes from my father's side of the family, shining a new light on the journeys and migrations of my paternal forebears.
My mother's side, meanwhile, revealed lesser-known Celtic influence, tracing back to the early tribes of Ireland. While I've always felt a deep connection to the lush green landscapes, I had no apparent reason to identify with Irish ancestry.
The iGENEA DNA test has left me bewildered at the richness of my genetic heritage. Among the revelations of Viking warriors, Celtic tribes, and Ashkenazi Jews, my understanding of what it means to bear the Howland surname has radically transformed.
N. Howland