The KEANE Y-DNA Project surname study was begun several years ago to determine relationships among various KEANE, CAIN, O'CAHAN, O'KANE, KANE, etc. families found in various locations throughout Ireland. Initially the project was based on STR markers (Y12, Y25, Y37, Y67 & Y111). STR markers have their limitations. It has been said that STR markers are better at showing us who were ARE NOT related to, than showing us relations. 

Under the new managent of Tina Peddie and Rory Cain the project has moved with the times, is now based on SNP markers, which determine our haplogroup. Thus individuals are grouped with others of the same haplogroup. As the number of members grow, we will be able to split these haplogroups into sub-clades, e.g. Tina's R-L48 Caines of Wiltshire sub-group now have enough members to be split from the parent Haplogroup R-U106.