KEVIN EDMUND SULLIVAN DNA INTERPRETATION AND RESULTS

Our Sullivan's are in Haplogroup: R1b1b2a1b5 (Sullivan Line II) L21+

(Note: These interpretations below are being assimilated from researchers from a group of close genetic matches.  Marge Sullivan was the first to point to the different surnames in our close matches as being from the different variations from the Sullivan clan such as McGillicuddy -possibly understanding why Kevin McGill is in the Sullivan Line II because the McGillicuddy were a cadet branch of the Sullivans.  This was our first big break in our team approach to our collective investigation.)

Variations of surnames in the Sullivan clan:

The results for the 67 markers have been the most enlightening for Kevin's (Kevin Edmund Sullivan) testing.  There are numerous surnames in addition to the Sullivan last name that have returned as matches.  The YDNA tests only the male lineage.  The reasons for the different surnames primarily are 1) a variation on the Sullivan sept name such as McGillicuddy (see below), 2) change of name and 3) adoption, stepchildren or other similar reason, 4) the numerous Sullivan's required nicknames in order to differentiate the families, 5) Cadet branches or septs of the main Sullivan clan arose at various points in time as individuals attained fame or settled in certain areas---Sullivan Beare for example settling in Beara peninsula and Bantry of West Cork.  Sometimes they were used like an additional surname, sometimes they became surnames in their own right: Like MacGillacuddy, McGrath, Scully, etc.  It makes for a lovely mess in tracing family connections further back, but the
history of it is very fascinating (Marge).

What we know for sure is our YDNA is from the Sullivan Line II, Haplogroup R1b1  Our matches are also the same Sullivan Line II which are the Southern Irish group.  A first effort at understanding how our close matches relate to the Sullivan Line II has been every enlightening.  Kevin McGill is our closet match at a distance of 2 at 67 markers.  Evidence of a possible family name link from his family to the Sullivan's is that the McGillicuddy's were a cadet branch of the O'Sullivan clan.

I read quickly through Dr. Gary B. Sullivan's book 'History of the O'Sullivan Clan and found McGillicuddy as a key player; see McGillicuddy.

The additional names found in the 'Families of County Cork' include McGillicuddy, Haynes, Lynch, Watkins, and Brookes.  See cadet branches

Our close matches to date:

  Donor Patriarch
1 at 37 Joel Randall Colwell  ???
1 at 37 ???? JJ O'Sullivan S-106
1 at 37 Terri Lynch West Robert Albert Lynch
2 at 37 Tim Peters TF Peters S-62
3 at 37 Charles Francis Sullivan S-22 John Sullivan
3 at 37 723 William Sheehan/Shane ???
2 at 47 ???? CR S-61
2 at 47 ???? James S-13
2 at 67* Kevin McGill Kevin John McGill
3 at 67** Jeremiah Sullivan (Marge Sullivan) Eugene Owen S-10
3 at 67** Jackie Marshall Albert Waldron Marshall
3 at 67** Mr. Richard Ian Watkins  
3 at 67** Mr. William Elmer Ruger  
3 at 67** Patrick Arthur Sullivan ??? (no reply)
3 at 67** Don Sticher William Haynie Guest
3 at 67** Mike Hayes Michael Ney Hayes
3 at 67** Seamus Roland Lefroy-Brooks  
4 at 67*** Warren Sullivan  
4 at 67*** Thomas Joseph Sullivan  
4 at 67*** Mr. Patrick Emmett Sullivan  
4 at 67*** Daniel Joseph Sullivan  
5 at 67*** Kenneth Wayne Sullivan  
   
* ** *** Closets matches  

Additional variations on the Sullivan sept name:

The common use of surnames in Ireland did not come into being until the 900-1000's.  Reading Dr. Gary B. Sullivan's book "History of the O'Sullivan Clan" provides a great deal of insight in the variations in names and naming conventions.

Reading through Gary's book you can easily see why names changed based on the strength of the person having their name becoming more prominent.  So the Sullivan ancestor would take a variation of his name which became a new surname.

McGillicuddy

1043 AD "Buadhach[94], which translates into Victor, was the first in the line to officially adopt the name 'O'Sullivan'.  It was not a family name in this time, but rather a title identifying the chief of the clan.  Buadhach would have been referred to as the 'O'Sullivan Mor' or 'the Great O'Sullivan'". pg 110

1166 AD Giolla Mochoda[97] the O'Sullivan Mor.  "The O'Sullivan McGillicuddy sept is named after and also descended from this individual".  Also read pg 116, 156, 180 and 195.

List of Sullivan septs pg 155-157

Related Gaelic Clans pg 159-163 

O'Sullivan (the main line of the Milesian Celts, the most senior clan):

Cadet Branches of O'Sullivan clan:

  • Doran and Quaile Penfeather (O'Sullivan Vera)
  • Lawson (O'Sullivan Beara)
  • MacElligott (O'Sullivan McGillicudy)
  • MacGillicuddy (O'Sullivan Mor clan) also see McGillycuddy of the Reeks 
    • The name McGillycuddy originates from when O'Sullivan Mor sent his trusted son, Mac Giolla, to be educated under the tutelage of Saint Mochuda at Lismore. He hence became known as Mac Giolla Mochuda, which has been anglicised into McGillycuddy.

Cadet Branches of the O'Brien (names also found in the 'Families of County Cork':

Other match names include:

Short History of Ireland that relates specifically to the Sullivan septs (in process):

Our close 67 marker matches have the Sullivan Line II YDNA, we know this for certain.  Where do their YDNA ancestors relate to our families? 
 
My thinking is the there was a great deal of movement of the Irish in the 1600's as a result of Cromwell's invasions, Battle of Kinsale 1601 (Sullivan Mor was driven back into Kerry),  Sullivan Beare died ..., the Flight of the Earls (which followed the loss at Kinsale), 1789 - Sullivan's lost their land in defeat, the Famine in 1845 etc.  Our Sullivan Line II (southern irish) may have married our close 67 marker matches in these major movements of the Irish.
 
Seven Sullivan septs survived after the battle of Kinsale...

Additional Resources:

DNA 101