Haplogroup C1b2a

What is Maternal Haplogroup C1b2a?

Haplogroup C1b2a is a genealogical group of lineages defined by unique genetic markers present in your mitochondrial DNA, which is transmitted from your mother. Your maternal haplogroup paints a picture of your ancient origins and the migrations of your ancestors. Although your maternal haplogroup reflects just one of your many ancestral lineages, it carries information about that lineage over tens of thousands of years.

Haplogroup C1b2a is descended from haplogroup C. Among 23andMe research participants, haplogroup C1b2a is commonly found among populations in Puerto Rico.

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 maternal side.

C1b2a Migration MapMaternal Haplogroup Origins C

Top Surnames with Haplogroup C1b2a

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.

Last NameFrequency
rodriguez3.70%
rivera3.20%
gonzalez2.50%
perez1.90%
torres1.90%
lopez1.60%
diaz1.60%
martinez1.40%
ortiz1.40%
cruz1.30%
hernandez1.30%
velez1.20%
sanchez1.20%
morales1.10%
santiago1.10%
ramos1.10%
garcia1.10%
vazquez1.00%
ruiz1.00%
vega1.00%

Haplogroup C1b2a is linked to some of the first Americans

Though the Ice Age was beginning to retreat when your C1b ancestors first entered North America, there were still massive barriers blocking their way. Glaciers and inhospitable climate covered much of the continent, blocking entry into the interior. Nonetheless, researchers have found evidence that a wave of American founders migrated over 13,000 kilometers to reach southern Chile in only 2,000 years, a blink of an eye in the story of human migration! Their highway to the south was the coast of the Pacific, stocked with fish, diverse marine mammals, and other valuable resources in the rich kelp forests of the upper latitudes and in the abundant fresh-water rivers near the equator. Because of this rapid movement south, the C1b haplogroup and its diverse branches are found throughout North and South America.

C1b2a Migration MapCannon Beach, Oregon