Some guy named Niall of the Nine Hostages, a 5th century Irish warlord, is related to more than 3 million men worldwide:
His genetic legacy is almost as impressive as Genghis Khan, the Mongol emperor who conquered most of Asia in the 13th century and has nearly 16 million descendants, said Dan Bradley, who supervised the research.
"It's another link between profligacy and power," Bradley told Reuters. "We're the first generation on the planet where if you're successful you don't (always) have more children."
...
Niall reportedly had 12 sons, many of whom became powerful Irish kings themselves. But because he lived in the 5th century, there have been doubts the king -- who is said to have brought the country's patron saint, Patrick, to Ireland -- even existed."Before I would have said that characters like Niall were almost mythological, like King Arthur, but this actually puts flesh on the bones," Bradley said.
When international databases were checked, the chromosome also turned up in roughly 2 percent of all male New Yorkers.
Why were they looking only at males? Y chromosomes, my chickens, y chromosomes; they pass from father to son directly. This just tickles me no end for some reason. Two percent of all male New Yorkers--not even all IRISH New Yorkers--descend from this guy!
But then I'm interested in all of those foremother/forefather kinds of genetic stories. I'd really like to know which of the European clan mothers they've tracked down so far is mine.
UPDATE: Take the poll.
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