Cochin Jews Surname: Y-DNA Haplogroup
Published genetics research or a documented case study links the surname Cochin Jews to a specific Y-DNA paternal-line haplogroup.
R1a-M198 predominant (36%), with J2-M172 at only 7%
Clade R1a
Also spelled: Cochini Jews; Malabar Jews
Contrasts sharply with the Bene Israel of Maharashtra sampled in the same study: Cochin Jews show far greater local Indian (R1a) paternal admixture, reflecting a different, more assimilated demographic history despite a shared claimed Middle Eastern origin.
Source: Chaubey G, Singh M, Rai N, et al. (2016). "Genetic affinities of the Jewish populations of India." Scientific Reports, 6:19166.
How to read this. A surname match means some people with that surname, in a specific study or family record, were found to share a haplogroup, most likely due to a shared patrilineal ancestor generations back. It is not proof that you personally carry that haplogroup: surnames change through adoption, remarriage, non-paternity events, and independent origin of the same name in different families. For your own confirmed haplogroup, test your DNA with our HaploAI Y-DNA/mtDNA predictor.
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