Description
C2a1a3a1b1 (FT224144) is the defining paternal lineage of the Ashamaily Kerey, one of the two primary clans of the Kazakh Kerey tribe (Middle Zhuz). Among Ashamaily men tested, 77.3% carry the FT224144 marker, making it the most reliable genetic identifier for this clan. Ashamaily and Abak both descend from the shared C2a1a3a1 (F5481) ancestor — a common Kerey forefather who lived approximately in the mid-9th century CE. FT224144 is a terminal branch of the C2*-ST (C2 paragroup of the Star Cluster), a broader lineage associated with ordinary Mongol commoners and Central Asian nomadic populations.
Interesting Fact
The Ashamaily Kerey at 77.3% FT224144 prevalence represent one of the highest clan-specific Y-chromosome homogeneity rates documented in Kazakh genetic genealogy — almost four out of five Ashamaily men tested share the same patrilineal marker, directly connecting them to a single medieval founding father of the Kerey tribal world.
Distribution by Ethnicity
| Ethnic distribution | Region | Frequency | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashamaily Kerey | Kazakhstan | n=110 | |
| Kazakhs (Kerey, general) | Central Asia | n=400 |
Associated Clans & Tribes
Clan
Ashamaily
Kazakhstan (Middle Zhuz)
Primary Kerey sub-clan carrying FT224144 at ~77%; sister clan to Abak (FT411734)
Tribe
Kerey
Kazakhstan
One of the largest Kazakh Middle Zhuz tribes; historically descended from the medieval Kereit confederation
Tags
References
- Zhumadilova et al. (2024) — Y-Chromosomal insights into the paternal genealogy of the Kerey tribe have called into question their descent from the Stepfather of Genghis Khan. PLOS ONE. PMC11373838.
- Lan et al. (2022) — Whole-sequence analysis indicates that the Y chromosome C2*-Star Cluster traces back to ordinary Mongols. European Journal of Human Genetics.