Surnames and the Y chromosome.

Area of Science:

• Population Genetics
• Human Genetics
• Forensic Genetics

Background:

• Surname studies using Y-chromosome analysis can reveal insights into paternal lineage and founder effects.
• Historical records sometimes predict multiple origins for surnames, which may not align with genetic findings.
• Understanding nonpaternity rates is crucial for accurate genealogical and forensic interpretations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the paternal genetic lineage of males with the surname Sykes using Y-chromosome microsatellites.
• To compare the Y-chromosome haplotype distribution within the Sykes surname group to control populations.
• To assess the potential for a single surname founder and estimate historical nonpaternity rates.

Main Methods:

• A random sample of males with the surname Sykes was collected.
• Y-chromosome typing was performed using four specific microsatellite markers.
• Haplotype frequencies were compared between the Sykes sample and control groups from relevant geographic regions.

Main Results:

• Nearly half of the Sykes males shared a unique Y-chromosome haplotype not found in control samples.
• This finding strongly suggests a single common male founder for the majority of extant Sykes males.
• Other Sykes haplotypes did not significantly differ from controls, consistent with a 1.3% per generation nonpaternity rate over 700 years.

Conclusions:

• The genetic data indicate a single founder for the Sykes surname, challenging historical predictions of multiple origins.
• The estimated nonpaternity rate provides a quantitative measure of lineage interruption over centuries.
• This Y-chromosome haplotype approach has significant potential applications in forensic science and genealogy for other surnames.