A Quick Summary of MacGregor History From http://hal_macgregor.tripod.com/gregor/Gregor.htm

“S’RIOGHAL MO DHREAM” (Royal is my race) is the claim of this, one of the most famous of Highland clans, and the principal branch of the Siol Alpin.  The clan claims descent from King Grig, the last 100% Pict to rule Albann, in the ninth century.
The ancestral home of the clan was the western highlands of Perthshire, including Glendochart, Glenstrae, Glenlyon and Glengyle.  Their earliest possession in  Argyll, was Glenorchy,  which was bestowed on the MacGregors for services rendered to Alexander II in his conquest of Argyll.  For a long time the MacGregors maintained possession of their lands by right of the sword, as was the ancient Scottish tradition.  The Campbells, by political clout and treachery, obtained grants of Loch Awe and other MacGregor lands.  Royal Commissions of Fire and Sword were issued against the MacGregors in 1488, 1563, 1589, and 1603.  Finally, in 1604, the name MacGregor was banned,  and efforts were made to annihilate the clan.  Nevertheless, Clan Gregor  supported the Stewart cause in the 17th and 18th centuries.   Charles II, because of their support, repealed the acts against Clan Gregor. This was confirmed by Cromwell, but  upon the accession of William of Orange, upon Campbell pressure, the acts of proscription were renewed due to appeals by the 7th Duke of Argyll.  One of the most horrific acts of revenge on behalf of the Campbells during this renewal, was the death by sustained torture of Lt. Colonel Donald Glas MacGregor, father to Rob Roy MacGregor and chief of the Glen Gyle MacGregors. It was not until 1775 that the penal statutes against the MacGregors were finally repealed, and not until 1784 did the British government bureaucracy finally enforce this edict..   In 1822, Sir Walter E. Scott arranged for clan Gregor to form the official bodyguard for King George IV when he visited Scotland, and in that same year, the clan Gregor Society was formed.  A meeting of the clan was held, where John Murray of Lanrick, afterwards Sir John MacGregor, Bart., descended from the house of Glenstrae, was recognized as chief.

There has never been any apology or recognition of universally recognized criminal acts against the MacGregor extended family by the British authorities.

Not only a McFarland but a “Hidden McGregor”

The DNA testing not only confirmed the family legend it also yielded another surprise. It seems William Thomas Hunt Sr born 1787 might have known he was a McFarland but what it seems he didn’t know was that he was a McGregor also.

The DNA testing has matched the McGregor Clan.  The McFarland’s who are by DNA McGregor’s are called hidden because of what occurred in history in 1603.  With the results of Bill Hunt’s and Earl McFarland’s – Big Y – DNA test, we are also actively working with the McGregor Clan Societies to try and map where off the McGregor Tree Branch we fall.

It seems this Hunt family were McGregor’s to about 1600, then McFarland’s to 1800, then Hunts.  Since it has been 200 years since the last surname change the Hunt family should be ready for a new surname about now. 🙂

Here is a brief history lesson on why the McGregor’s changed to McFarland.  I am stealing Earl McFarland’s history lesson that he sent me.  Thank you Earl.

As a result of the Glen Fruin Battle (often referred to as a Massacre by the side that lost). Proscription allowed that if any person saw a group of 3 or more MacGregor males standing in a group he was allowed to shoot on sight, as many as he could hit, and not be charged with murder (he may have been able to claim the property of the deceased) , the women were branded (rumor has it some of their children were removed and put in foster homes). As a direct result of the Battle of Glen Fruin, the then Chief of the MacGregors and 11-12 of  his close associates were hanged…but the Chief was hanged exactly one foot higher “as befitting his station”.  by Earl McFarland

Many of the McGregor’s adopted new surnames our ancestor went with McFarland.  This proscription lasted about 200 years. Our McGregor ancestors were one of the lucky ones that survived this time period.

DNA Testing – Done at FTDNA – If you are considering doing DNA testing – USE FTDNA

The DNA Testing done to date William Thomas Hunt III (Bill)

Y-DNA markers to 37, 67, and 111 markers

The closest match to Bill is Ray McFarland a perfect match at 67 markers and 2 off and 111 markers

Family Finder Testing

Big Y Test

Several YSEQ SNP’s have been tested separately

Email spavlech@live.com for more details about the results

Click on this link to go to the DNA testing site  www.familytreedna.com