In the early 2000s as DNA testing became more popular as an aid for genealogical research, Glenn Allen Nolen ( see https://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~nolenancestry/page1.html ) commented on the Y-DNA test results posted at the FamilyTreeDNA.com website. Following is what he had to say about the two major Nolan lines identified through DNA testing.

Introduction

This forum presents a discussion of two distinct NOLAN lineages: Carlow Clan O’NOLAN and Offaly – Kilkenny Clan O’NOLAN. According to the available Irish genealogies or pedigrees, these two distinct NOLAN lineages each descend from the ruling Ui Neill: O’Neill’s of Ulster. Carlow Clan O’NOLAN matches exactly the Northwest Irish, R1b1c7, Niall of the Nine Hostages 12-marker haplotype (13, 25, 14, 11, 11, 13, 12, 12, 12, 13, 14, and 29) as shown on Unique NOLAN Y-DNA Haplotypes. Clan (Colgain) Colgan, from which O’HUALLACHAIN (NOLAN) descends, is recorded in Septs of the Ui Neill descending from Fearghal, High King of Ireland, dying 718 (Common Era) C. E.

Carlow Clan O’NOLAN

Unique 12-marker Haplotype:
Result Strings ID #
13 25 14 11 11 13 12 12 12 13 14 29 R1b1c7

According to the available Irish genealogies or pedigrees, it is clear that each of these NOLAN lineages were septs of the Ui Neill, but they do not present the same Y-DNA Haplotype. The Dal Riata of Ireland never were descended from the Ui Neill.

The Irish pedigree of the Dal Riata was of the Érainn or Belgae. Modern DNA analysis confirms the existence of the King Colla Uais (Dalriadic) modal haplotype, and it is of a totally different clan or tribe than that of the Ui Neill. Colla Uais seized Ulster, but in 327 C. E. (the fourth year of his reign) Muireadhach Tireach expelled King Colla Uais and three hundred of his followers to Scotland becoming the founding lineages for the Scottish Dalriadic kingdom. The major clans of Scotland descend from the Dal Riata of Ireland based on available DNA analysis, and the Niall or Northwest Irish R1b1c7 haplotype is barely visible within their ranks. Thus, it is clear from modern genealogy and DNA testing that each of these NOLAN lineages were not of the same clan or tribe, and that the Irish pedigrees, which represented both as septs of the Ui Neill, were undoubtedly fabrications in an attempt to unite the Irish people.

Offaly – Kilkenny Clan O’NOLAN has the classification of Haplogroup R1b1c meaning that it does not fall into any of the ten currently defined subclades of R1b as defined by (FTDNA) FamilyTreeDNA. Offaly – Kilkenny Clan O’NOLAN appears to be in the King Colla Uais and R1bSTR43 cluster. The R1bSTR43 cluster identified as having originated in the British Isles some 2,000-3,000 years before the Common Era arrived in the British Isles probably from the Iberian Peninsula or Spain 7,000-10,000 years in the past. Stephen Colson suggests that the R1bSTR43 cluster originated in Ireland tracing some sub-clusters into Scotland and eventually England. A close match with the King Colla Uais (Dalriadic) modal haplotype is also suggestive of a close ancestral relationship for Offaly – Kilkenny Clan O’NOLAN and Khaki Group 01 of the Windham Family DNA Project to the inhabitants of Ireland and Scotland.

A Ui Neill connection reportedly exists through Carby Lifeachain (“the Liffey”) father of Eochaidh Dubhlinn, grandfather of “the Three Collas,” and great-great grandfather to Niall of the Nine Hostages. The genealogy of the Sil Anmchadha of the Uí Maine records Colla Da Chrioch, brother to Colla Uais, as an ancestor of (O’HUALLACHAIN) UALLACHAN. The Úa Maine are also recorded as descending from Conn of the Hundred Battles, Óengus Dub, a grandson of Cathaír Mór, of the Ua Failge, and from Maine, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages. The territory of the Ui Maine included parts of Kings Co. (Offaly). MUGRON of Clan (Colgain) Colgan, the ancestor of O’H-UALLACHAIN or HOOLAHAN, was reportedly born at Ballycowen, Kings, Co. (Offaly).

In Kingdom of Airghialla, Ulster Series, Background on the Three Collas, Contemporary historians record King Colla Uais as one of the three sons of the early Ulster ruler Niall Noigiallach who had three sons: Eogan, Conall, and Enda. The Irish Annals indicate he was the son of Eochaidh Doimhlen (Eochaid Duibhlein) and Aileach, the daughter of
the King of Alba, Scotland. Yet, others prefer the alternate theory of Romanized Britons ascending the Irish throne. Though, there is no account of Romans in Ireland. Intertwined in this mystical era of Irish history are reality and myth, therefore, a true origin for the Three Collas is unclear.

Modern DNA analysis can determine that the (MRCA) most recent common ancestor for the paternal line of the O’Neil’s (13, 25, 14, and 11) and the “Three Collas” (13, 24, 14, and 10) probably occurred beyond 500 B. C. E. (Before Common Era). These Irish royal lineages may have been heavily intermarried but did not have a genetic paternal link for more than 2,500 years. The Irish genealogies, therefore, which relate to this aspect of the descent of Conn are not correct and probably have a degree of fabrication in an attempt to unite the Irish people.

There is ample evidence, however, that the O HAONGHUSA [meaning descendant of Aonghus or Angus] (O’HENNESSY) [shared the lordship of Clann Cholgan with their kinsmen the O’HOLOHAN’S (O HUALLACHAIN)] in Co. Offaly, but there is also evidence of a sept of the Ui AENGHUSA in Munster. These two separate septs probably developed independently and in an attempt to unite, the Irish people genealogically became inextricably linked.

The Érainn, a group of Munster clans, occupied the Kingdom of (Ossory) Osraighe. In essence, Ossory was a buffer zone during the sixth through ninth centuries between the men of Munster (Munstermen) and the men of Leinster (Leinstermen). The Kingdom of (Ossory) Osraighe encompasses most of present day Co. Kilkenny in which Inse Ui hUallachan (the river meadow of O HOLAHAN) or O’HOLOHAN’S holm is located in the Barony of Shillelogher. After 1653, Inse Ui hUallachan, anglicized Inchyolaghan became Castleinch or Caislean-na-h-Ínse. Thus, the basis for naming this particular NOLAN clan Offaly – Kilkenny Clan O’NOLAN lies within these two septs of the descendants of Aonghus or Angus.

The 33 of 37 Y-DNA marker match between N-4 (Offaly – Kilkenny Clan O’NOLAN) of the NOLAN DNA Surname Project and Kit #56134 from the WINDHAM Family DNA Project probably occurred between these two 1574 Galway castle owning families who were also Herenagh Families of Ulster Co. Donegal Ireland. An exact match of the first 20 markers (13, 24, 14, 10, 11, 17, 12, 12, 12, 14, 13, 30, 17, 9, 10, 11, 11, 25, 15, and 19) in the Y-DNA test of N-4 with RICHARD (O’) HAGAN also gives credence to an Ulster relationship. A WINDHAM – NOLAN DNA comparison provided by JOHN B. WINDHAM details a 25 Y-DNA marker match between N-3 (Offaly – Kilkenny Clan O’NOLAN) and Kit # 18393 and a 61-62 of 67 Y-DNA marker match between Kit # 18393 and N-4. Incidentally, Kit # 18393 mismatches RICHARD O’HAGAN by one in a 20-marker comparison. Herenagh meaning land typically converted into donated church property.

Offaly – Kilkenny Clan O’NOLAN

Unique 20-marker Haplotype Matches:
Result Strings ID #

13 24 14 10 11 14 12 12 12 13 13 30 18 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 King Colla Uais
13 24 14 10 11 14 12 12 12 13 13 29 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 R1bSTR43

N-3 mismatches the King Colla Uais 20-marker haplotype at DYS #385b, 389-1, 389-2, and 458. N-4 mismatches the King Colla Uais 20-marker haplotype at DYS #385b, 389-1, and 458. And N-3 and N-4 mismatch the 20-marker haplotype of R1bSTR43 at DYS #385b, 389-1, and 389-2.

Result Strings ID #
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 31 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 28 15 15 17 17 N-3 – Nolen
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 30 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 28 15 15 15 17 N-4 – Nolen

The three below HAGAN DNA results from Y-Search have an exact 20-marker match with N-4 resulting in an ancient relationship prior to the introduction of surnames. N-3 mismatches by one mutation at DYS 389-2. User ID # 5GGTH lists Carrickmore, Ulster, Ireland as country of origin.

Result Strings ID #
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 30 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 5GGTH – Hagan
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 30 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 N2F3B – Hagan
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 30 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 YNXPB – Hagan

Three of the following WINDHAM/WYNDHAM Y-Search participants claim descent from England: JCBWN, P6D2Y, and QT7HT, however, mutations at DYS 389-2 for N-4 and the HAGAN surname at 30, N-3 and WINDHAM at 31 results in an ancient Irish relationship prior to the introduction of surnames.

Result Strings ID #
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 31 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 29 15 15 17 17 JCBWN – Windham
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 31 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 28 15 15 17 17 9ZZVM – Windham
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 31 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 29 15 15 17 17 P6D2Y – Windham
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 31 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 29 15 15 17 17 QT7HT – Windham
13 24 14 10 11 17 12 12 12 14 13 31 17 9 10 11 11 25 15 19 29 15 15 17 17 V43N7 – Windham

The O’HAGAN (O hAgain in Irish, which was originally O hOgain) family also descends from the ruling Ui Neill, O’Neill’s, of Ulster, and were hereditary stewards, sheriffs, and judges considered part of that sept. O’HAGAN’S stood with Hugh O’Neill, the last of the native Irish kings, in his rebellion against England. Hugh O’Neill, in the tradition of the times, took the remnants of his fortune and sailed to Spain. The O’HAGAN’S were not as fortunate, being totally dispossessed of lands and possessions in the plantations that followed Hugh O’Neill’s defeat.

The O’HAGAN’S (O hAgain), a sept of the Cineal Eoghain, are recorded as descendants of Fergus, son of Eoghan with the following families in Roger O’Ferrall’s “Linea Antiqua”: O’COLGAN, O’Branagan, O’HAGIN, O’Cahalan, O’Uarisg, O’Brelar, O’Hanin, O’Dovan, O’Losgny, O’Mellan, O’CONOLAN, O’Spellan, and O’Breonan. Fergus was also ancestor to the O’QUIN’S, as described in Background on the Northern Uí Neill. O’QUIN later spawned the family of WYNDHAM-QUINN. Included in the background of the Northern Ui Neill is evidence pertaining to the O’BOYLE, MAC SUIBHNE, and MACSWEENEY septs that became WYNDHAM of Co. Donegal.

It is evident that not all Irish NOLAN’S descend from County Carlow. More than one NOLAN lineage developed in ancient Ireland prior to the introduction of surnames. The first name of the ancestor’s father formed the basis of familial relationships. Hereditary surnames have a relatively recent origin. By 1400, for example, most every person in England had a surname. With the origination of surnames within the last millennia, therefore, it is not uncommon to find many different variants of the same clan using the same surname. Usually, genealogists are not interested in relatedness prior to the adoption of surnames, but depending on whether that clan separated and moved to different regions prior to the adoption of surnames researchers should expect to find more than one variant of the same clan using the same surname. The descendants of UALLACHAN of Clan (Colgain) Colgan, for example, became HUALLACHAN. In Ireland “H” often appears in front of a name beginning with a vowel which became O‘HUALLACHAN meaning of UALLACHAN. In Gaelic O‘HUALLACHAN or O’HOULIHAN is genitive plural for “of the NOLAN’S.” (2) DNA evidence posted at NOLAN DNA Project: Results conclusively supports the existence of more than one NOLAN lineage.

Glenn Allen Nolen
ganolen@gmail.com (NOTE: Email no longer active)