Rutherford Y-DNA
- One Name, Different Origins

Since male Rutherford’s have started to test their Y-DNA it has been discovered that the existing idea of all Rutherford’s being related, with the one point of origin cannot be true. What is being discovered due to the Y-DNA results is that there are different lines appearing with different points of origins.

​

SNP Y-DNA testing is the most stable and reliable form out of all the male specific testing that can be undertaken. Once a mutation occurs it will forever be a part of the DNA and will be passed on to the following generations. This allows us to build up a genetic tree for male lines. For the Rutherford’s the results have shown men across the haplogroups – R1b, E, I and J. However, to date the majority of male Rutherford testers come under the R1b haplogroup is two main groups with other individuals spread through this larger haplogroup. There is one group of men that come under R-U106 and another group that come under R-P312.

 

The aim of Y-DNA testing

The main aim for SNP Y-DNA testing is to be able to merge the Y-DNA tree with genealogy to be able to state which Y-DNA line belongs to which genealogical Rutherford line (e.g. which specific SNP Y-DNA line is the Edgerston line, which particular SNP Y-DNA line is the Hunthill line, etc…). The only way to achieve this, is to get as many Rutherford males as possible to test SNP Y-DNA and to make sure all genealogical trees are supported with documented evidence and are shared for others to view.

 

Current DNA projects

There are currently two DNA projects on FTDNA. One is the ‘Rutherford & Ruth**’ project which is open to both male and female DNA testers to join. The other project is the ‘Scottish-English Marches’ project which is specifically only for men that are positive for the SNP R-ZP78. This project includes a number of different surnames (not just the Rutherford group) as this SNP mutated before surnames came into common use.

 

Interested in testing OR have already tested but are unsure?

If you are interested in testing or would like information/advice please make contact via email or if you are an existing member of FTDNA, please join the Rutherford project if you haven’t already and make contact through this project.