Billy, M222 is a sub-clade of R1b1a2 haplogroup. There is a SNP tested to confirm this identification; however, the haplotype signature associated with this sub-clade are rather straight forward and identifiable for most, and thus if the marker values fall with-in what they call an unambiguous set of allele values more often than not the unambiguous with out a SNP will also be considered as M222. This information is stored on the Y chromosome, thus no, it would not come via any female contribution to the equation as the Y chromosome inheritance is sex specific and passed from biological fathers to sons down through the generations rather intact with the exception of random generational mutations that occur among the alleles at different mutation rates depending on the particular locus. There are many using surnames considered as Irish and Scottish who are or considered M222. The reason for this is due to surname choice, phonetic spellings, and NPE's inclusive of name changes. Particularly among the Irish it seems that many of the surnames also evolved from septs and groups associated with the Uii Neil dynasty, and the SNP itself likely evolved previous to the Nial of the Nine Hostages name sake. There is lots of information at this site provided by John. http://clanmaclochlainn.com/R1b1c7 <http://clanmaclochlainn.com/R1b1c7/> Susan