What can you tell me about my Viking ancestors?

Your Viking Population match indicates which Viking population your DNA is most similar to. 

We have identified 4 distinct Viking populations from our analysis of ancient DNA. We compare your DNA data to each of these populations in order to determine your closest match.

Although we might think of the vikings as a single people, the inhabitants of Scandinavia who lived around 800 AD were not actually a single population. While they did share their language, cultural traditions and craft styles, they were ruled through local kingdoms and lordships. 

Certain settlements, such as Hedeby in Denmark, Trondheim in Norway and Birka in Sweden are considered to have been places of regional power, and associated with the development of metallurgy and trade.

Your results might show that you’re genetically most similar to:

The Vikings of Eastern Europe

These Vikings explored eastwards across Eastern Europe. They travelled along the rivers until they reached the Black and Caspian Seas. 

Vikings of Norway

The Vikings of coastal Norway sailed and plundered westwards to settle in the Faroe Islands, Orkney, the Shetlands Islands, and Ireland. 

Vikings of Denmark and Sweden

Danes raided Saxon England and Northern France, and later settled in these lands. Danes had the strongest and most organised Viking force.

Swedish Vikings were among those who explored to the east. They expanded partly through raiding, but mostly by trade.

Vikings of Great Britain, Ireland and Iceland

Vikings began settling on captured land from around 860 AD onwards, mainly in the north and east of England

For more detail about your Viking group, you can purchase the Viking Upgrade in your portal.