Exploring Ancestral Surprises Through iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey Into the Depth of 'Lake' Surname
Family name Lake
When I opted to unravel my heritage through the iGENEA DNA test, I wasn't prepared to face the eye-openers about my surname 'Lake'. From unexpected geographical origins to historical migratory patterns, the journey through my family history was a cascade of surprises.
When I discovered the DNA test offered by iGENEA, I was initially excited about the prospect of exploring the depths of my family history. To say that the test provided a few surprises would have been an understatement. The manoeuvre into the journey of my ancestral roots returned remarkable insights especially related to my family totem - the surname 'Lake'.
The test was quite comprehensive, covering maternal and paternal lineages and providing specific information about both genetic and geographic origins. The first surprise was that even though I have been proudly bearing the ‘Lake’ surname for decades, its etymology revealed unfamiliar terrains. The 'Lake' surname wasn't as water-related as I initially thought. It originated from Northern England, where the term ‘Lake’ was used to describe a ‘stream’ or ‘watercourse’. I have no known relatives from this region before the test, which made it more intriguing.
Another unexpected finding was the striking prevalence of Lake in Scotland. Unraveling the Scottish layer of my heritage was quite an adventure. My family always identified solely English, but it appears that the 'Lake' clan stretches into the realm of bagpipes and kilts too!
One interesting piece of information was the presence of the ‘Lake’ surname among the original settlers in the American Colonies. In the 17th century, the ‘Lake’ clan had migrated from England to North America, inevitably becoming a part of the pioneering settlement. Being the explorer at heart, I was thrilled to learn about this adventurous strand in my ancestral DNA.
The iGENEA DNA test also revealed a very rarely common haplogroup – R1b, linked with the Lake surname. This haplogroup is most common in Western Europe, particularly, in the region stretching from northwestern parts of Ireland and Britain to southwestern Scandinavian Peninsula.
In conclusion, the iGENEA DNA test has been a rollercoaster ride through the centuries of human history and migration. It was an enlightening experience that has presented my ancestry in a new light. The 'Lake' I carry with pride is not simply a surname, but represents a fascinating mesh of diverse cultures and a legacy of adventure.
T. Lake