What are Y-DNA haplogroups?
Y-DNA haplogroups are the major branches in our common paternal lineage. Your haplogroup traces your branch on the paternal tree of humanity back to our shared ancestor in Africa.
Are Y-DNA haplogroups the same as mtDNA haplogroups?
No, the names in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups do not correspond with the same names in the Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) haplogroups.
How are haplogroups and their subclades named?
Y-DNA haplogroup and subclade names follow the conventions of the Y-Chromosome Consortium’s (YCC). The YCC short form names haplogroups with the first letter from the major haplogroup branch. This is followed by a dash and the name of the final SNP: S-M310, S-M254, S-P57, etc.