Lewis surname DNA project

The Lewis Surname DNA Project, one of the larger DNA surname projects with well over 200 participants, was created in 2003 as a nonprofit organization to develop a collection of Lewis family groups who descend from various male Lewis ancestors. DNA analysis of the Y chromosome, carried exclusively by males, provides a tool for identifying participants who share a common male ancestor. When used in unison with documented Lewis pedigrees, these tests can also aid in establishing links between Lewis groups who previously were thought to be unrelated.

Because many Lewis surname researchers have exhausted traditional genealogy research methods without identifying their elusive Lewis ancestor, this project combines genetics and genealogy in an effort to break through the proverbial "brick wall".

Warner Hall Lewis DNA Project
The Warner Hall Lewis line has been documented to descend from Rhys Goch of Ystrad Yw ca. 1100 and is the only surname documented to do so on the paternal line. Before this, the line is purported to descend from a long line of Welsh rulers going back to the Votadini tribe ca. 300 AD. Due to the historical importance of this ancient line, a special project has been set up by Legend of Lewis through the Lewis Surname DNA Project to offer partial scholarships for DNA testing of descendants with documented genealogies to this line. See Augustine Warner. Dragons have long been associated with Wales and the arms borne by their leaders. The Flag of Wales is the only country in the world on which a dragon is depicted. The Coat of Arms used by this paternal line since Caradoc Freichfras 500 AD was that of a dragon holding a bloody hand in its mouth. The term for bloody was gules (red) and may or may not have meant actual blood. The legend of the red hand as shown on the Flag of Ulster, may have been the basis of this imagery. The theory involves the Irish legend of the self severed hand thrown to the shores of Ireland to assure the owner be the first to touch Ireland and claim his choice of lands, see the Red Hand of Ulster. Rhys Goch of Ystradyw arms are among the Blayney Coats of Arms carved in black oak over the fireplace of the dining room at Gregygnog (now a residential educational centre of the University of Wales (Prifysgol Cymru), and the Institute of Rural Health).

In any case, the Lewis Coat of Arms was brought to Virginia in 1653 by Emigrant John Lewis. It was etched on his and his family's tombstones discovered in 1948 by Dr. Malcolm H. Harris on Poropotank Creek in King and Queen County, Virginia and is found on the Warner Hall Lewis silver.



Wales DNA Project results
The Wales DNA Project which is attempting to trace Welsh genetic ancestry on both the Y chromosome and mtDNA lines, has purported results representing one Lewis line documented back to Rhys Goch ca 1100 AD. The line has been traced to 300 AD Because the Lewis surname was only adopted by this line in the 1600's, many other surnames could match this line.