R-BY39168 (Y-DNA)

R-BY39168 is a subclade of the haplogroup FGC17603 which is linked to the clan MacRae of Dalriada Scottish ancestry. It is carried by direct male descendants of Alexander Stuart born 1684 in Scotland and died in 1714, Chester County, Pennsylvania. These Stewart males' Y-DNA signature matches those of Y-DNA tested Clan MacRae descendants whose antecedents settled in Kintail, Ross-shire Scotland in the 14th century. Versions of the name Macrae appear in both Scotland and Ireland. DNA results have found them in SW Ireland, NW Ireland, and various areas of Scotland. The Scottish Highland Clan of Macraes first settled at Clunes, near Beauly, Inverness-shire, Scotland. The MacRaes became constables of Eilean Donan castle. In the ensuing years, members of this Highland clan, have scattered throughout the globe.

Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd MacRae (aka Black Finlay son of Christopher), the progenitor of the MacRaes of Kintail, Ross-shire, Scotland. Fionnla Dubh had a grandson, Christopher (Gillechroisd) MacRae, who was the Constable of Eilean Donan Castle around 1511. Christopher had six sons, three of whom, Duncan, Farquhar and Finlay, formed three separate Kintail MacRae lines as follows:

Fair MacRaes - all the descendants of Duncan (Donnacha Mac Gileschroid) MacRae (History of Clan MacRae page 25), which includes the descendants of the Reverend Farquhar MacRae of Kintail (History of Clan MacRae page 52) and his sons Reverend John of Dingwall and John (Ian Breac).

Black MacRaes (eventually the Torlysich MacRaes) - all the descendants of Farquhar (History of Clan MacRae chapter XIV), which includes descendants of Donnachad Mor aka Donnachad Mac Alister, Donald Og (eighth in descent from Fionnla Dubh Mac Gillechriosd) and Reverend John of Knockbain.

Strathglass MacRaes - all the descendants of Finlay. It is currently thought that our Stewarts descend from the Fair MacRaes and this will be further explained below.

Reverend Farquhar MacRae’s descendants test positive for the SNP R-FGC17603 (Christopher MacRae Constable of Eilean Donan 1511). Our Stewart males also test positive for the SNP R-FGC17603. We also test positive for SNP R-BY39168 which is downstream from R-FGC17603. Given that there is such a large generational distance between our Stewarts and our closest MacRae cousins (likely close to 400 years), that span of time has allowed for the development of mutations having been realized in our very own “Stewart Y-DNA signature” in SNP R-BY39168. It is unique in all respects and clearly identifies you as a Stewart who happens to be a direct descendant of Christopher MacRae, Reverend Farquhar MacRae and their descendants.

Some of our MacRae cousins test positive for SNP R-FGC19785 which is also downstream from R-FGC17603. This indicates that they descend from the Black MacRae family lineage. There are two subgroups under the Black MacRae marker, FGC19785, that is FGC19782 and Y59895. (Y59895 is a newly found marker around which there is still come uncertainty, and it may actually be a Fair MacRae marker).

Facebook Group - On the Waters of Hominy Creek, NC John-Noah-Jacob STEWART Family