The DNA of Clan MacLeod: Is Leòd our common ancestor?

A presentation prepared for the 19th MacLeod Clan Parliament on the Isle of Skye on July 25, 2023. This talk looks at the DNA of members of the MacLeod-surname DNA project at FTDNA. Presented by Mark MacLeod and co-authored by Roderick MacLeod.

In summary, DNA shows us that most MacLeod men can be placed in one of 5 genetically distinct groups. The MacLeod men in the largest of these groups are likely direct paternal line descendants of Leòd, the founder of the clan. The other 4 groups are likely descendants of men who assumed the MacLeod surname far back in time.

We also show DNA evidence which supports that most MacLeod men in these 5 groups will likely have a female MacLeod somewhere in their family tree who is a direct descendant of Leòd. Therefore, most MacLeods, women and men, will likely have a link back to Leòd, either along their paternal line or through a maternal connection, or both!