About us
The ancient Anglo/Saxon surname of Armitage originates in West Yorkshire, England. It derives from the Old French word 'hermite', and from the Greek word 'eremos', meaning solitary, and was originally given either as a topographical name to someone who lived by a hermitage, or a place of learning, or as a locational name.
The DNA Project is a worldwide project. Our project is just getting started and welcomes all participants, so we encourage you to join today. Participating in the project is an opportunity to uncover information not provided in the paper records, which will help to guide your future family history research. We do expect to discover previously unknown relationships between families, as well as indicate which families are unrelated to each other. As the project progresses, the results for the various family trees will provide information about the evolution of the surname and help to establish which of the families now using variant spellings really did originate as Armitage
In order to assist with the surname project, a Y DNA test is necessary. A small portion of the Y chromosome, which is found only in men, is passed from father to son, virtually unchanged. So this test tells you about your direct male line, which would be your father, his father, and back in time. You must be male to take this test, and you should have one of the surnames shown. However, if you believe there is an Armitage or variant in your direct male line, even though you now have a different surname, you are also welcome to participate. If you are female, please find a male in your family tree to participate.
The test result contains no personal information – indeed, the fact that close male members of the same family will all have the same result is the very basis of its use for surname studies. The result is a string of numbers, relating to the markers tested, which can then be compared to the results from another male. By comparing the results, you can tell if the two men had a common ancestor, and approximately when the common ancestor occurred.
Y DNA tests are currently available for 37, 67 and 111 markers [the more markers the better] - BIGY is the test of choice and the best test you can currently get and one every man should aim for. If you order less markers, you can upgrade later, although this costs a little more. As an Add on always order a combined Family Finder with your YDNA test.
Family Finder test makes it possible to discover connections to descendants of all of your ancestors from approximately five generations back. Whilst not as useful for the project as the Y-DNA test, because of the random nature of the passage of DNA, this test does enable both females, and males whose relevant ancestor is not in their direct male line, to take part in the project. Family Finder testee's with a relevant surname in their more recent ancestry are therefore welcome to join the project.
It is possible to belong to multiple projects without additional cost so, if you have already had your DNA tested with Family Tree DNA as part of a geographical project or another surname project, but believe your direct male line was an Armitage or variant from Yorkshire, or anywhere in the World, then you are welcome to join this project too. Simply click on the "Request to join this project"button at the top left, enter your kit number and password and your results will automatically be included in this project as well.