Arthur DNA Project

The Arthur DNA Project is for all who wish to work together to find their common heritage through DNA testing and sharing of information.  All variant spellings are welcome.

The Project is very much dependent on the testing of descendants with an unbroken male line MacArthur descent, since only males carry a Y chromosome and pass it on to their sons. Unfortunately, this distinct means of identifying someone of MacArthur descent is not present in females. Since the DNA test offered by Ancestry does not cover the Y chromosome, it has little relevance for surname research.

I would encourage any male line MacArthur descendants who have not already taken a Y-DNA test to consider this, and those who have, but are not yet members of the Arthur DNA Project, to join up via this webpage https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/arthur/about

By taking a Y-DNA test and joining the Arthur DNA Project you will be able to compare your result with the other members and get some indication of other MacArthurs who are related to you.

Family Tree DNA are the major company offering Y-DNA tests for genealogy. The cost of a basic Y-DNA 37 test from FTDNA is currently $119 and you can both order this and join the Arthur DNA Project via the same webpage. You may wish to follow this up with further testing, which could help to refine the results and place you in a more defined group of closely related MacArthurs.

If you have any questions please e-mail me.

Graham S Holton
Co-Administrator of the Arthur DNA Project
Email: g.s.holton@strath.ac.uk