Haplogroup A1a-M31
What is Paternal Haplogroup A1a-M31?
Haplogroup A1a-M31, also known as Haplogroup A (Y Chromosome Consortium long-form label), is a genealogical group of lineages defined by unique genetic markers present on the Y-chromosome. Your paternal haplogroup, or that of your father if you do not have a Y-chromosome, paints a picture of your ancient origins and the migrations of your ancestors. Although your paternal haplogroup reflects just one of your many ancestral lineages, it carries information about that lineage over tens of thousands of years.
Haplogroup A1a-M31 is descended from haplogroup A. Among 23andMe research participants, haplogroup A1a-M31 is commonly found among populations in the United Kingdom.
It's important to note that your haplogroup doesn't define your current ethnic identity; rather, it provides an insight into your deep ancestry on the paternal side.
Paternal Haplogroup Origins ATop Surnames with Haplogroup A1a-M31
For surnames with sufficient representation in the data, these percentages represent the frequency with which each surname is found in individuals exhibiting this genetic marker.
Haplogroup A1a-M31 is linked to ancient West Africans
While men carrying haplogroup A are generally most common in the east and the south, this lineage stems from a branch that can be found in West Africa. At between 140,000 and 160,000 years old, haplogroup A1a-M31 is extremely ancient and relatively rare. Men who belong to this lineage have been found in Morocco, Niger, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, and The Gambia. They belong to several ethnic groups, including but not limited to the nomadic Berber and Tuareg in the north, and the Mandenka and Balanta along the western edge of the continent.
