This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jantrevor Surnames: Griffin Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.griffin/6658.1.1.1.1.2.2.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi, were the other surnames that you match to most often by chance: Vaughan/n or Evans? Just curious. Of our other 25 marker and close matches, Those are our matching surnames other than Griffin. So, perhaps these are relations from prior to 1600 when the Welsh/Irish were using patronyms, (I have seen no conclusive evidence that our line was either Irish or Welsh). (DNA Native matches were high on Ireland and Wales for our line). I lean toward Welsh despite family legend. And, there is always the possibility of a non-paternal event within a line... which just makes the research even that much more challenging. Also, as to the DNA testing ruling out particular lines, I would be cautious about eliminating certain lines as related/non-related without source to validate. Some of the trees and research for which people who have tested and stated are "proved" are actually not proven if you look for sources. The surname project just publishes the trees/I have not seen the research behind some lines. Of course, if you match a certain set of Griffins, there is no doubt you are related....it's just a matter of validating if all the trees contain accurate information for those lines. The difficulty with all this is in part the lack of records for the very early Griffin's and the continued usage of the same first names among multiple lines. Even though I feel fairly confident in my research, there is always the possibility that for example there was another Anthony Griffin in Lunenburg and Halifax County VA of another line, at the same time who was also a father of a Benjamin and a son o! f a Richard...not particularly likely...but possible. As to your Samuel, I was not completely clear on your post. If I have something incorrect, please feel free to clarify and I will update. I admit to focusing primarily on my direct line. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.