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Y-DNA · Paternal lineage

E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B

Y-DNA Haplogroup E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B

Explore the lineage

A reference profile for one lineage branch. Shared haplogroups do not establish a family relationship or cultural identity.

Reference profile

Branch background

Historical context for Y-DNA lineage branch E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B

Origins and Evolution

E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B is nested within the North African E‑M81 (also written E1b1b1b2 / E‑M183) branch of the Y‑chromosome phylogeny. E‑M81 and its subclades are characteristic paternal lineages of the Maghreb and Amazigh (Berber) populations, and this particular terminal subclade represents a very recent split from its parent (E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1). Given the short branch length and available population data, E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B most plausibly originated during the historical (genealogical) time frame — on the order of decades to a few centuries ago — and reflects a strong founder event rather than a deep prehistoric expansion.

Subclades (if applicable)

At present this lineage appears to be a terminal or near‑terminal private/subpopulation clade with few or no widely sampled downstream branches. The pattern is consistent with a recent single founding paternal ancestor whose descendants expanded locally (for example, within an extended patrilineal family, clan, or island community). Additional high‑resolution sequencing and targeted sampling of Amazigh communities and Canary Island populations may reveal further branching, but currently the haplogroup behaves like a private or very narrowly distributed subclade.

Geographical Distribution

This haplogroup is concentrated in the Maghreb and in communities with historic Maghrebi connections. Observed and inferred distributions include high local frequencies in specific Amazigh enclaves and island founder populations (Canary Islands), low to sporadic frequencies in broader North African coastal populations, and rare occurrences in southern Iberia and Atlantic/Mediterranean islands due to historical contact and migration. Low frequency detections in West African and diasporic American populations are best explained by regional admixture and post‑Medieval movements rather than an ancient distribution.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Because E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B is so recent, its significance is primarily anthropological and genealogical rather than deep prehistoric. It likely marks a recent paternal founder — for example a localized Amazigh clan leader, island settler, or an extended family that experienced strong drift. The presence in the Canary Islands ties it to the Guanche and later island population history, where island founder effects frequently preserve rare lineages. Low levels in southern Iberia and Mediterranean islands reflect centuries of trans‑Mediterranean interaction (trade, conquest, settlement) between North Africa and Iberia, while scattered occurrences in the Americas reflect more recent colonial and post‑colonial migrations and the African diaspora.

Conclusion

E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B is best interpreted as a very recent, locally concentrated Maghrebi subclade of E‑M81 shaped by founder effects and limited historical gene flow. Its study is useful for fine‑scale population and genealogical reconstruction in the Maghreb and island contexts, but broader conclusions about deep prehistory cannot be drawn from this terminal lineage alone. More targeted sampling and full Y‑sequence data would clarify internal structure and precise age estimates.

Key Points

  • Origins and Evolution
  • Subclades (if applicable)
  • Geographical Distribution
  • Historical and Cultural Significance
  • Conclusion
Reference profile

Tree & Relationships

Phylogenetic context and subclades

Evolution Path

Follow the recorded parent branches toward E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B. Dates are estimates and can change as reference data is revised.

Steps Haplogroup Age Estimate Archaeology Era Time Passed Immediate Descendants Tested Modern Descendants Ancient Connections
1 E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B Current ~100 years ago Modern 100 years 0 0 0
2 E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1 ~200 years ago Modern 200 years 1 0 0
3 E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F ~50 years ago Modern <100 years 1 0 0
4 E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1 ~100 years ago Modern 100 years 2 0 0
5 E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A ~200 years ago Modern 200 years 1 0 0
6 E1B1B1B2A1A1A1 ~300 years ago Modern 300 years 1 0 0
7 E1B1B1B2A1A1A ~500 years ago Modern 500 years 1 0 0
8 E1B1B1B2A1A1 ~800 years ago Medieval 800 years 1 0 0
9 E1B1B1B2A1A ~1,000 years ago Medieval 1,200 years 4 118 1
10 E1B1B1B2A1 ~2,000 years ago Roman Period 1,800 years 1 134 0
11 E1B1B1B2A ~2,000 years ago Classical Antiquity 2,200 years 1 143 2
12 E1B1B1B2 ~3,000 years ago Iron Age 3,000 years 2 177 0
13 E1B1B1B ~4,000 years ago Bronze Age 4,500 years 2 405 0
14 E1B1B1 ~22,000 years ago Mesolithic 22,000 years 2 1,055 0
15 E1B1B ~26,000 years ago Paleolithic 26,000 years 1 1,116 2
16 E1B1 ~28,000 years ago Paleolithic 28,000 years 2 1,572 0
17 E1B ~30,000 years ago Paleolithic 30,000 years 1 1,583 0
18 E1 ~50,000 years ago Paleolithic 50,000 years 2 1,667 2
19 E ~50,000 years ago Paleolithic 50,000 years 3 1,813 3

Subclades (0)

Terminal branch - no recorded subclades

Reference profile

Where in the World

Geographic distribution and modern presence

Recorded origin

Northwest Africa (Maghreb)

Modern Distribution

The populations where Y-DNA haplogroup E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B is found include:

  1. Specific Amazigh (Berber) communities in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia
  2. Canary Islanders (descendants of Guanche and later island inhabitants) exhibiting island founder effects
  3. Coastal North African groups (Moroccans, Algerians, Tunisians) at local frequencies
  4. Southern Iberian populations (western Andalusia, parts of Portugal) at low to moderate frequencies due to historical contact
  5. Central/western Mediterranean island populations (sporadic, low frequency)
  6. Sahelian and West African groups at low frequency via regional admixture
  7. African‑descended populations in the Americas and Caribbean (diaspora presence, low frequency)
  8. Small isolated local communities showing strong founder effects (local Amazigh enclaves and island lineages)

Regional Presence

Northern Africa (Maghreb) High
Southern Europe (Iberian Peninsula) Low
Western Africa (Mauritania/Western Sahara fringe) Low
Macaronesia / Canary Islands (political Spain) Low
Southwest Europe (Iberia) Low
The Americas (diaspora) Low
Historical context

A branch through time

Estimated formation in a broad historical timeline. Period markers provide context and do not imply a connection with particular cultures.

  1. ~10k years ago

    Neolithic Revolution

    Agriculture begins, settled communities form

  2. ~5k years ago

    Bronze Age

    Metalworking, writing, and early civilizations

  3. ~3k years ago

    Iron Age

    Iron tools, expanded trade networks

  4. ~2.5k years ago

    Classical Antiquity

    Greek and Roman civilizations flourish

  5. ~100 years ago

    Haplogroup E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B

    Estimated formation of this Y-DNA branch; dates and locations are reference estimates.

    This branch
  6. Present

    Present Day

    Modern era

Reference profile

Archaeological context

Recorded archaeological associations for Y-DNA branch E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B

Recorded associations

These labels describe archaeological contexts recorded for reference samples linked to E1B1B1B2A1A1A1A1F1B. An association does not establish that all carriers belonged to a culture or followed a particular migration route.

Canaanite China_NorthernChina_Xingfulindai Eastern Scythian France_Camp_du_Chateau_LateAntiquity Italy_Sicily_IA_b_Punic Late Bronze Age Armenian Middle Bronze Age Anatolia Middle Bronze Age Armenian Portugal_Islamic Punic Culture Roopkund B Group
Culture assignments are based on archaeological context of ancient DNA samples and may represent regional associations during specific time periods.
PATERNAL LINEAGE · ANCIENT DNA

Ancient lineage evidence map

Follow parent clades toward this branch and explore where ancient carriers were found.

Loading ancient observations…

Markers are archaeological find locations. A dashed connector is an uncertain, proposed geographic transition between consecutive branches supported by multiple dated observations; it is not an exact travel route, birthplace or proof of direct descent. Parent-clade samples may belong to other descendant branches. Gaps remain where evidence is insufficient. Sample dates differ from haplogroup formation dates.

Data

Data & Provenance

Source information and data quality

Last Updated 2026-06-15
Confidence Score 50/100
Coverage Low

Data Source

Classification, estimated dates and geographic context reflect the recorded reference data and may change as evidence is revised. Sample coverage is uneven; recorded locations and archaeological associations do not establish personal origin or cultural identity.