In reply to: * [R-M222] DNA Forums <http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/DNA-R1B1C7/2011-11/1320377241> by /Lochlan/ (Thu, 3 Nov 2011 23:27:21 -0400 (EDT)) John says: I just thought people in this forum would be interested to see there are quite a few different opinions out there on where M222 originated. Not all follow the NW Ireland dogma of the geneticists. We've talked about a lot them in this forum. From a member of our FTDNA McKee Group: I had a look at the latest postings (ie. more variance in Scottish M222+ persons therefore perhaps older or more direct tie to the initial M222 man) with the further suggestion that M222 migrated from Ireland to Scotland relatively early on to explain this finding.It is perhaps time to remind myself again that the Macaoidh legend had 2 brothers being forced from northern Ireland to northern Scotland after an unsuccessful power struggle. This would be entirely consistent with the data as I understand them. And, a further piece of support for the notion that the legends are not entirely made up aggrandizing fictions. Here is the important part:"Descended from the Pictish Royal House of MacEth, the progenitor of the clan is Iye (MacEth), grandson of Earl of Ross, raised to Chiefship in 1250. Iye in Gaelic is AOIDH, meaning "fire" and anglicized as "ay" or "y" and pronounced"eye" - hence Mackay is properly pronounced "mhuc eye"not "mah kaay". His people were originally from Ireland, following two brothers deported after battle loss for kingship in 335 A.D. These Moray men were dispersed principally north to Strathnaver Region by order of King Malcolm IV in 1160 who defeated Malcolm MacEth, Earl of Ross whose daughter Gormalth married the Norse Harold, Earl of Caithness. Argyll Mackays, linked with House of Strachnaver, fledsouth. Similarly, McGhies of Galloway. Mackays became famous for strength, courage and skill in soldiering and were involved in endless Clan battles against Keiths, Rosses, Gunns, Sinclairs, Sutherlands and others, and wars abroad. Donald, son of Iye Mor, married the daughter of Iye, son of Neil of Gilgha of Kintyre and supported Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314. In 1329, Robert the Bruce gave lands in Kintyre to Gilchrist McCay for service of archers. Mackies of Largs received a land charter from Bruce in Kirkcudbright." ------------------------------------------------------------------------