What are the reasons for several distinct lines?
A. There are many reasons why several separate family lines are likely. At the time of origin of the surname around 1000 years ago, the surname would be a mark of affiliation to a group or clan of families living in close proximity and with a perceived shared destiny. There would be a clan chief and a number of other males in the group. Not all these males would necessarily have shared the same male ancestor at the time of surname adoption. Clans often absorbed other non-genetically linked groups as they expanded. Adoption of orphaned offspring of a sister was common, and if there was no heir it may also occur. Infidelity was probably a fact of life then as it is now. Also African Americans may have ancestors who were given the family name of those who kept them in bondage. Over the years this leads to many genetically separate lines with a common surname. This can be seen in the Campbell and McGregor DNA Projects.
