Unravelling the Reed Surname: A Personal Journey through iGENEA DNA Test Results
Family name Reed
Delving into our roots can change the way we perceive our identity. This is especially true if you happen to undergo an iGENEA DNA test, which can take you places and times you never imagined. Breaking down my DNA, widened my understanding of my surname 'Reed', shook up my family identity and rearranged my outlook comprehensively.
Ever since my iGENEA DNA test results arrived, my perception of my family name- Reed, and my family identity has taken a remarkable turn. The website tag line “You're unique. So is your DNA.” couldn’t be more apt. My iGENEA locates and explains my paternal lineage, which is identified mainly by my surname Reed. Therefore, the results have opened a gateway to my forebears unveiling a mix of exhilaration and surprise.
My DNA test from iGENEA revealed that the Reed surname originated from a Celtic clan that migrated from Ireland to England. The Celtic roots were utterly unfamiliar. Also, the test highlighted a trace of Viking lineage, which was extraordinary, given that my family had predominantly lived in the United States for generations. To find roots tied to far-off lands and cultures was peculiarly fascinating.
The test results seem to challenge the simplicity I had always associated with my surname. 'Reed' is common in the US, and I simply presumed it as just another unadorned English name. However, this DNA science opened up a new perception, whispering tales about my ancestors, their migration, their survival and their heritage. It spoke of sailors and warriors, of settlers and farmers. In retrospect, my plain surname appears far less simple.
This newfound knowledge has notably affected my family identity. I was unprepared for the impact. The realisation that every family tale, tradition, or heirloom is part of a larger narrative, woven into the DNA tapestry is overwhelming. Understanding that my ancestors perhaps roamed in Irish fields, sailed with the Vikings, and somehow ventured to America brings a sense of continuity and fortitude.
I see my family reflected differently now. It's not just about genetics or bloodlines anymore, but more of an indefinable sense of belonging. The canvas of my family legacy is broader and deeper than I had ever imagined. Every member of the Reed family now shares a part of this rich and complex history, including me.
The iGENEA test results haven't just shown me who I am and where I come from, they've given me a deeper appreciation of my multifaceted identity. This expands far beyond the immediate Reed family I know and love - it includes a plethora of ancestors I never knew existed, yet have always been a part of me.
P. Reed