Toni's Conclusions (so far) from Y-DNA Results of the Turk Surname Study
September 2003

In part this Y-DNA study was undertaken to sort out the origins of the various TURK lines.  With over 428 variant spellings of TURK and many different thoughts about the origin/history of the TURK surname in the world, DNA testing is a particularly compelling tool in our research.  Each Y-DNA test result has helped bring the picture of origins into clearer focus. We have been delighted with what each DNA test has revealed.   

Y-DNA results received since the inception of the TURK-Surname Project have caused a total rethink of the origins of this surname. Initially there was a predisposition to try and identify a Turkic connection. It now appears that such connections are an exception rather than the rule. To date variations of this surname have been identified within five separate haplogroups. Conclusions regarding those with this surname are arranged by haplogroup.

One participant in our study falls within Haplogroup E3b. The surname variant is TURKEL from the Ukraine. While this haplogroup occurs within an area (North Africa) of historical hegemony of the Ottoman Turkish Empire, there is insufficient evidence to draw the conclusion that this variation of the surname derives from a geo-political connection to the Turks.

Two participants of our study fall within this group. One with the surname variant TURK stems from Croatia. The other with the surname variant TURQUE is from France. This particular haplogroup is associated with Viking populations. The Croatian line could be reflecting a geo-political connection to the Turks, but the French line does not.

Two participants of our study fall within this group. Both bear the surname TURK and trace their ancestry to Northern Ireland. This is an ancient Semitic line that predates the Jewish religion. It is postulated that this line connects to the MacTURKs of Scotland and is of Pictish origin. This line does not have a geo-political tie to the Turks.

There are two participants within this haplogroup. One has the surname TURK with a lineage that is Slavic and Polish. The other has used the surname TURKOGLU and comes from Turkey. The Polish line probably derives from the town and district of Turek in Poland. The line from Turkey obviously has a geo-political tie to the Turks.

Four participants in our study fall within this haplogroup. The surname variations are TURK, TURCQ and DERRICK. These participants have roots in France, Germany and Northern Ireland. This is a western European haplogroup. A geo-political tie to the Turks is not obvious.

One member of our group with the TURK surname has a unique set of markers. An SNP is being done to determine the haplogroup. This line traces to 18^th century New York.

Considerable effort has been expended trying to connect those with the TURK surname to the Arnulph LE TURQUE claimed by the DE TURK family of Pennsylvania and New York as their 11^th century progenitor. So far our study has not attracted any with this lineage. There is a possibility that the TBD participant in our study ties to this line. If so, his SNP results may shed light on this "legend". If genetics ties this line to one with Middle Eastern origins, the legend may be grounded in fact.

Dr. Toni Richard Turk
Lead/Administrator of the Y-DNA Turk

Contact Toni if you wish a copy of his powerpoint slides from ICAPGen Conference 11/4/06 Entitled Applying DNA Evidence to Surname Studies