Many people with Manx surnames have an interest in the origin of their name and CAIN and CAINE derive from MAC CATHAIN, meaning son of Cathain, along with many other variations on the name such as McCane, McKane, McCann, McKean, O’Cahan etc. Leslie Quilliam’s “Surnames of the Manx” is a great source of information on this subject. Cathan was descended from Eoghan a son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. Some of the family finally arrived in County Antrim and spread from there to Islay and other parts of Scotland and also to the Isle of Man. I have recently come across a DNA project by Len Keane to study the lines of descent involved. The details are as follows -

KEANE / CAIN / KANE Etc FAMILY DNA

A scientific study has begun to determine relationships among various KEANE, CAIN, O'CAHAN, O'KANE, KANE, etc., families. In time, the study may resolve the traditional claimed descent of several of these families from the Ui NEILL of Ulster through descendants of CATHAIN (about 800 A.D.), the name-father of the O'CAHAN "Warrior Clan of Ulster", sub-kings under O'NEILL. I'm convinced that DNA-genealogy is the wave of the future in genealogical research and will soon become a necessary factor in support of the paper trail compiled by traditional genealogical methodology.

Males bearing any variant of the KEANE / KANE surname tracing to the following counties in Ireland are especially urged to participate: Any County in the Province of Ulster; also Co. Kerry; Co. Cork; Co. Clare; Co. Galway; Co. Kildare; Co. Sligo; and Co. Waterford. Persons bearing the surname CAIN(E), etc. from the Isle of Man are also particularly desired.

This Project will concentrate on the KEANE / KANE and O'NEILL surnames but, in order to verify the accuracy of the ancient annals, it encourages the participation of other variants and surnames traditionally held to descend in direct male line from King Niall of Ulster. The Y-DNA test is capable of detecting male-line relationships among persons whose most recent common male-line ancestor may have branched off from the larger clan many centuries ago and can greatly enhance the likelihood of linking a present-day family with one of these long-established ancestral lines.

I am employing the services of Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) which uses the laboratory facilities of the University of Arizona. In the case of persons surnamed KEANE / KANE, etc., the purpose of the simple test is to identify families descended from the Ulster O’Cathains and/or from any family traditionally descended from King Niall "of The Nine Hostages" (living ca. 400 AD). A partial list of these families may be found on my web page, accessible through the FTDNA link below.

Because only males carry the Y-Chromosome, only males without any known adoptions or changes of surname in their direct male-line may participate in the Project. It would be most helpful if participants would provide me with his family's place of origin (if known), and a brief family tree back to the earliest-known male-line ancestor, with an indication of his place of residence and approximate date. This study in no way whatsoever infringes on one's personal health information or family privacy. Please review the "Privacy" section, as well as several informative articles, on the FTDNA website which will answer most questions. The Internet address for FTDNA is-:

http://www.familytreedna.com/

Most questions are addressed at this site. I have been able to obtain a very competitive group rate of $171 US for the 25 Marker-Plus male Y-DNA test. This test is recommended for Project participants and is capable of a high degree of accuracy in identifying matches among individuals descended from a common MALE-line ancestor.

One may join on-line at the FTDNA web site by going to the "Surname Project" block, and finding the KEANE page, where the group Join Code may be requested. I am prepared to answer any further questions.

Sincerely,

Leonard M. Keane, Jr.
Convener of The OCathain (O'Cahan) Society
16 Pleasant Street, Wakefield, Massachusetts 01880, U.S.A.
E-Mail address: Dolmenx@aol.com
TEL: 781-245-4153