The Issues with Identifying R-222

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An STR known as R-M222 was first recognized in late 2004 following manual cluster analysis of several hundred R-M269 haplotypes in ySearch ran by Gene by Gene.  

In Family Tree DNA's research, a preliminary modal haplotype was established including the basis for roughly six dozen similar haplotypes. They noted that family names associated with the cluster were almost entirely Irish or Scottish. The cluster was initially referred to as the 25/11/14 cluster based on the dominant values for DYS390, 391 and 392. 

In late 2005, a research team from Trinity College Dublin published a report that identified this cluster based on the distinctive values at DYS390 and 392. The research team called this pattern the Irish Modal Haplotype, or IMH, and provocatively suggested that the haplotype may be associated with the Ui Neill kings of Northern Ireland and Donegal that by legend descended from the fifth century warlord Neill Ó Cuinn or by his alias Niall Noígíallach. The haplotype is not modal to Ireland, though a distinctive haplotype with a large population, it is not the dominant one.  Some haplotype frequency assessments suggested that it was most concentrated in Donegal  and nearby counties to the south and west. Also found in Lowland Scotland and the Western Isles.

In February of 2006, one of the administrators (DCW aka David Wilson) predicted that this distinctive variety would be found to correlate with the rarely tested SNP M222 and commissioned a custom lab analysis to test the hypothesis. The result, returned in March 2006, was positive. Immediately afterwards different labs began offering M222 as part of deep clade testing programs, and thousands of individuals have now been found positive for the SNP marker, M222. 

In recent years, the new options of next generation and whole genome sequencing and SNP panel testing have led to the recognition of numerous downstream subdivisions divisions that seem to have emerged between roughly 2000 and 1200 ybp (Years Before Present, in which “Present” is defined as 1950). There is uncertainty about the age of the M222 SNP itself, because the SNP marker in phylogeny is accompanied by many SNPs and variants (23 and more).  The order of mutation or position in phylogeny for these markers has not been revealed through testing thus far; hence where the M222 SNP is positioned in phylogeny is unknown.  TMRCA estimates in both STRs and SNPs using various methods from several differing sources infer subdivision within the descending UK/Ireland R-M222 population between 2500 and 2000 ybp.

The southern Venii came to be known as the Eoghanacht, while another group of them migrated north and formed a new kingdom west of the River Shannon where they became known as the Connachta after a revered leader named Conn. These Connachta later extended their power eastward into the plain of Meath, and under the leader Teutovalos Teachtmhar overthrew the kingship of the Lagini at Tara around AD 300. As the Celtic language in Ireland transformed into Irish between AD 400–500, Venii became Féni, and were also known to have called themselves Gaídhil (from Common Celtic *wēdelos, Brythonic gwddel, Goidelic *wēdus to Old Irish Goídel—meaning savage woodsman, wild, raider). The Primitive Irish Vendo is a cognate with Finn, and the Fianna were landless, aristocratic young men and women who had not yet come into their inheritance of land. Niall, the son of Ivocatus Magumedonus ('Eochaidh the Slave-ruler'), came to lead the Connachta in the fifth century CE.

I do not believe Niall Noígíallach was an Irish king who lived during the late 4th or 5th centuries as a High King. He is indeed a descendant of Conn and listed in the genealogies of Art mac Cuinn, the 1st to use the surname Cuinn in such a manner as it is today.  He is credited as the father to sons who sired the Ui Neill dynasty.  The 2006 TCD inferences regarding IMH and the Ui Neill dynasty led to assumptions that all men derived for the marker R-M222 were descended from this legendary semi-mythological Irish King. Whether or not Niall's legendary reputation is legitimate or that he was ancestrally responsible for the Ui Neill dynasty has been the subject of historical reviews for many hundreds of years.  The question this project has wrestled with post the TCD publications is whether or not Niall was the progenitor responsible for the R-M222 marker and the descending subclades.

Next generation sequencing efforts have settled the question for us.  The haplogroup existed long before Niall.  The marker R-M222 sits among a block of more than 23 variants that are  considered presently phylo-equivalent; so described because we do not yet know the order in which these markers mutated.  We also do not know where in the order the R-M222 marker is positioned....at the top, middle, bottom of the block etc.  Aging estimates suggest that the entire haplogroup known as R-M222 (including this phylo-equivalent block in which the marker sits) may be as old as 4000 or more years before present (ybp).

We also do not know what Niall's genotype was/is.  There were other haplogroups and L21 subclades contemporary with R-M222 in Ireland during Niall's and Ui Neill dynasty clans'/founders/leaders reputed times of living.

In 2013 the haplogroup began subdivision.  Below the phylo-equivalent block, the subclades exampled a larger and more diverse haplogroup than anticipated by observation of the STR haplotypes.   The ages of some of the older haplogroups have been tentatively and imprecisely assessed in windows extending from 2500 -- 1500 ybp.  The testing has been elective and consists primarily of men in multiples of surnames claiming differing ancestral geographies, the majority who descend from ancestors that migrated out of the UK/Ireland region to diaspora destinations of the American Colonies/US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand among others.  Some of the results are anchored by men in current residence within various geographies within the UK/Ireland region.  While the majority of testers have stated ancestral origins in the UK/Ireland region, ancestral origin statements are not confined solely to the region; there are stated ancestral origins in Scandinavia, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, among other geographies.  Within recent years skeletal remains yielding DNA that may be sequenced have been recovered.  Radio Carbon Dating has determined for those recovered in Ireland suggest that the majority of remains genotyped with a M222 subclade marker date to the Medieval period.  

I am NOT a part of this SNP group as I tested negative with the BigY-700 at Family Tree DNA.

So, in my case the family name Laughlin refers directy to this 5th century saint. Secundinus flourished in the 5th century, or in Gaelic Sechnall, today in Irish, Seachnall who founded and became the patron saint of Domhnach Sechnaill, County Meath, who went down in medieval tradition incorrectly, as a disciple of St. Patrick and was one of the first Bishops of Armagh. This tradition appears to be invented by Armagh historians long after his life ended in favor of of embracing Patrick.  Secundinus is more likely to have been a separate missionary, possibly a companion of Palladius. I seem to recall he is named for another saint,  My ancestor is Laughlin, taken to mean literally & specifically "Servant to Secundinus"  as it has been passed from every generation since the coming Palladius in the 5th century is important. Secundinus in the eyes of this researcher postulates that Secundinus' namesake is likely Secundus of Asti who died circa 119 CE and is venerated as a martyr and saint. His feast day is generally celebrated on March 29. Until the 15th century it was celebrated at Asti on March 30, but it is now celebrated there on the first Tuesday in May. He was a historical figure who was beheaded at Asti under Hadrian. He is said to have been a patrician of Asti and a subaltern officer in the imperial army. It is known that a church was dedicated to him in the area as early as the 9th century. Later legends made Secundus a member of the Theban Legion. A more elaborate legend states that he was a young man of noble lineage who visited the jails of Asti. Secundus was a friend of Sapricius (Saprizio), prefect of the city. They traveled together to the city of Tortona, where Secundus met the city's first bishop, Marcian, who was later martyred under Hadrian. Secundus' meeting with Marcian influenced his decision to become a Christian; his meeting with Faustinus and Jovita further influenced his conversion. His friend Sapricius attempted to make him abjure or renounce his newfound faith. Secundus refused, and was tortured and decapitated for not choosing Rome's view.