Surname DNA project
A surname DNA project is a genetic genealogy project which uses genealogical DNA tests to trace male lineage.
In most cultures, there are few or no matrilineal surnames, or matrinames, so there are still few or no matrilineal surname projects. However, DNA tests are equally important for the two sexes see genealogical DNA test.
Because surnames are passed down from father to son in numerous cultures patrilineal, and Y-chromosomes Y-DNA are passed from father to son with a predictable rate of mutation, people with the same surname can usage genealogical DNA testing to determining if they share a common ancestor within recent history.
When two males share a surname, a test of their Y-chromosome markers will determining either that they are not related, or that they are related. whether they are related, the number of markers tested as well as the number of matches at those markers determines the range of generations until their most recent common ancestor MRCA. whether the two tests match on 37 markers, there is a 90% probability that the MRCA was less than five generations ago and a 95% probability that the MRCA was less than eight generations ago.