Hey, I’m a Viking
More silly season stuff. This weekend I discovered I’m a Viking.
Mock you not, this is serious. Yes, I’m one of those horn-headed, axe-wielding types who terrorized Europe for centuries. Before you run for cover, I’m not about to go on a “spreadeagling” spree or demand you pay me Danegeld — although that might not be a bad idea.
I realized I’ve got Viking blood — as many in the British Isles have — because of a minor medical condition which affects the small finger tendon in the palm of a hand. This progressive condition pulls the small finger gradually across the palm, giving a rather gnarled, even romantic impression to the onlooker. The figure of Captain Hook springs to mind.
Apparently, the hooked little finger is genetic and only occurs in people with remnants of Scandinavian genes. It’s called a “syndrome”, I believe, but then everything is these days.
Margaret Thatcher had this condition. She had a small surgical procedure to correct it when she was Prime Minister. Coming from Lincolnshire, once the heart of the Danelaw (where you paid a tribute in gold to the Viking rulers), she was obviously of the bloodline. She even behaved like a Viking. That was a great part of her charm.
So now I have to reassess my goals in life. Never having been one to go on the rampage for any reason, it means changing the habits of a lifetime. Running amok with a six-foot axe seems to be my destiny. Pillage and rapine are in my blood. Scorched earth my policy inheritance. Where shall I begin?
Maybe I’ll get the little finger fixed first.
Actually, it would be hard to find anyone in Britain without at least a few Scandinavian genes. Apart from the original Viking invasions, the Normans were descendants of Danish Vikings too and so brought the genes across the Channel with them. Norwegian vikings settled in Scotland and Ireland and then later moved into England, accounting for the differences between the Yorkshire (mainly Danish settlement) and Lancashire (mainly Norwegian) accents. Later Irish immigrants looking for work in industrial centres in Britain again brought their latent Scandinavian genes with them (Dublin was originally the main Norwegian viking base in the British Isles). So get the finger fixed and we’ll all go a-viking together!
By Gone Away on July 17th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
Actually, Clive, I think I’ll leave that to the football hooligans, who seem to be the true descendants of Eric Bloodaxe and the rest. But when England next play Sweden, I’ll have to reconsider my priorities.
By John Evans on July 17th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
I was a bit short on ideas for the Gone Away blog, John, so I borrowed the Viking idea - hope you don’t mind. Due credit given, of course!
By Gone Away on July 17th, 2006 at 5:39 pm
My pleasure, Clive. Feel free. I’m honoured to be borrowed by such a great blogger
By John Evans on July 17th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
I also suggest the operation to the hand before running amok.
The alteration of the angle of the fingers aids in the wielding of an axe, you see.
Now where did my wife put that shirt with “Erik Bloodaxe Rules OK!” on it… It’s dark red so it won’t show the stains so much…
By I.A.M. on July 17th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
Ian, if Eric(k) had his way the whole hand would come off with a single blow of the axe. Maybe that’s a cheaper alternative.
By John Evans on July 17th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
My father, being of full Danish blood, had a similar condition which affected the two middle fingers of his hand. As he aged the tendon grew shorter and more taut until he could not flatten his palm nor extend his fingers. Still, he continued his profession of cabinet-making until the age of 79.
Perhaps I am doubly infused with Danish blood. My father was first generation Canadian, his parents were straight from Denmark. My mother’s family came originally from England and so must have some of those Scandanavian genes as well.
All I know is that occasionally, with the pulse of Viking blood pounding in my ears, I am overtaken by genetic memories of pillaging, stomping the village and gargling with the blood of my enemies.
But take heart John, it’s only occasionally.
By Ned on July 17th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
Interesting! My dad had that condition. He told me that his doctor told him that it displayed in men but the gene was carried by women. So it is more likely than not my son will have it. He is displaying a tiny bit of it now at 14. And we didn’t know the Scandanavian connection - we thought we were all British Isles, primarily Irish, with a dash of German!
By Adelle on July 18th, 2006 at 8:04 am
Adelle, as Clive says above the Irish have a lot of Scandinavian genes. In fact the red haired type come directly from the Vikings, as do the Picts on the east coast of Scotland.
Before the Norman conquest, we had Danish Kings — King Canute, for example. Then the Normans arrived. They too were descendants of Vikings. The Angles, Saxons and Jutes undoubtedly had strong Scandinavian bloodlines. In fact, if you go to Jutland (part of Denmark today), the local language is remarkably like English.
By John Evans on July 18th, 2006 at 9:41 am
Ned, with my newly discovered Viking genes, I’ll be a match for anyone. I’ve just sent my axe to be sharpened.
That’s interesting about your father. At least he got to 79 without mishap. I think there’s probably a lot more of this condition about than many suspect. Mainly, perhaps, because people don’t come forward to have it treated. Mine is at a very early stage, so there’s no need for surgery for years yet. Maybe there’s now a laser technique for correcting it.
By John Evans on July 18th, 2006 at 11:44 am
He he, I was doing a little research about my ancesters and found this. Interesting stuff , thank you pommies ,brødrefolk i vest
http://vikingoftoday.blogspot.com/
By Øivind Holtedahl on August 2nd, 2006 at 12:45 am
Hi Oivind,
Glad you found it interesting. How are your fingers shaping up?
By John Evans on August 2nd, 2006 at 9:14 am
I’ve noted in many articles and blogs etc. that the Viking finger is only carried through the female bloodline and displayed in men;
I however have a Viking finger, I am female and the gene was carried through my father of Norwiegan descent.
None of my family have developed the syndrome, I am third generation Norwiegan and it seems to have skipped everybody but me.
Very handy for Dr. Evil impressions.
By Pamela on August 22nd, 2006 at 11:11 pm
There are always exceptions, Pamela. Dr Evil? Another string to my bow.
By John Evans on August 23rd, 2006 at 10:17 am
I’ve always been told that I have the Viking finger thing, but what has been described here sounds different to my fingers. Mine little fingers are (both hands) shorter than normal, the ends of them only reach half-way between the end two knuckles on my ring fingers. Both are slightly bent, the right hand more than the left. My grandmother, father, and I (I’m female) all have fingers like this, except my grandmother’s are slightly more bent than my father’s and mine. I’ve never been told anything about it getting worse with time. My grandmother was born in Scotland.
Is what we have something different perhaps?
By Sherri on September 14th, 2006 at 11:00 am
It seems to come in all shapes and sizes, Sherri. I expect they’re related though. Sounds like you have a minor version of it, as I do.
By John Evans on September 14th, 2006 at 3:43 pm
As a matter of fact, I have the R1b-F3 Y-chromosome haplogroup, and to where my surname (Downer) originated, I am most likely Jutish, but possibly Saxon. The surname by the way comes from Portsmouth area, in southern Hampshire. Are the Jutes realted closely to Geats, Danes, or other Scandinavians. My Downer line, as far back as I know; the ancestors in Ireland, had red hair. What did the Kentish dialect look like? Are there any earlier examples?
By Dan Downer on September 27th, 2006 at 1:43 am
Dan, are you related to Richard Downer, the illustrator/designer? We worked together a lot when I edited magazines in London.
As far as I know, the Jutes come from Jutland so are definitely related to the Danes. Downer sounds Saxon/Anglo, but all these tribes had close genetic links and possibly originated from the earlier Celts of the Danube area.
By John Evans on September 27th, 2006 at 8:51 am
I am not sure about Richard Downer, but for sure the surname I was told is Anglo-Saxon. Unfortunately I live in Canada, but my ancestors must’ve been New English (in Ireland), because the ancestors I know of came from there, so I guess I English from way back. I heard that the Germanic R1b came from the Celts but the Cimbri (Celts of the Danish peninsula) mixed with the I haplogroup ppl of the north creating many Anglo-Saxons. Weren’t Anglo-Saxons comprised of Jutes, Angles, and Saxons? So in general my name would fit in that general category.. Also, our modern surnames in England didn’t come until the Normans or around 1066.. So, at that time we all spoke West Saxon dialect, because West Saxon at around 900CE became the major language. So perhaps the name is in West-Saxon dialect, but my ancestors were originally Jutes, possibly Saxons.. As you know, I am not sure whether I am Jute or Saxon, but Bede stated that the area where my surname was was Jute territory. It was taken by the Saxons in and around 750CE.
By Dan Downer on September 27th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
By the way, what happened to the Jutes in Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight? I recently heard they vanished, and Saxons occupied the area. That would mean that I am Saxon.. Did the early Saxons wear spectacle helmets?
By Dan Downer on September 28th, 2006 at 12:39 am
So happems my name is Richard Downer. I have a huge and crumbling book, the Downers of America, written at the turn of the last century. We were Royalists and left the UK for that reason in the 1600’s to go to the US. Some were Loyalists and in the 1760s era went to places that were still.uhm. British, like the West Indies - that’s my branch of the family. For what it’s worth…..
By Richard Downer on November 10th, 2006 at 1:54 am
Strange,,,,someone earlier mentioned we all had a touch of wiking blood circulating…not me I think, being from the ancient brits who shot off into the hills painted ‘blue’…I think we missed the axemen….discretion being the safer form of valour….My wife incidently has suffered from this ”tendon” reduction…her mainden name of ”Green”….don’t know of any wiking connections….has had it fixed locally…
By allan lloyd. on December 8th, 2006 at 7:29 am
hello, i too have a viking finger, anyone else in london which i am sure has one, please get in contact!
By siobhan lloyd on January 26th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Fascinating conversation! Dan and Richard if either of you could contact me regarding Downer history that would be amazing. I am an American Downer, but very intereseted to know our history as far back as possible.
By Paul Byron Downer on March 22nd, 2007 at 6:18 am
Paul, the history of the Downer surname has two origins; there is an Irish Gaelic one, and an English one. Both have different meanings. The Irish Downers are extremely rare, but the surname is believed to be from the rare Irish name O’Dooner, coming from the Irish Gaelic “Ó Dúnabhra”, which means ‘Son of Brown Eyebrow’. The English one is a traditional “ENGLISH” name, meaning it IS Anglo-Saxon in origin, and it’s from the Old English “Dúner”, meaning ‘the Dweller at the Downs (Hills) in South England’. I am an English Downer from the DNA test, despite the fact that my Downer ancestors in Ireland were fiery redhead ‘orangemen’ in the Republic of Ireland (South Ireland).
By Dan Downer on March 22nd, 2007 at 10:54 pm
The most authoritative source is that book that I mentioned and apparently it’s still in print and not expensive: http://www.higginsonbooks.com/downer-dyerSC5.html .
Regards,
Richard Downer.
By Richard Downer on April 1st, 2007 at 4:49 pm
My surname Barrs in England has been traced back to Old Normany and the original surname Barre and later Barres in France and then England. Is there a particular gene sequence in the DNA profile that points to Old Normandy, which was settled by Viking farmers and Denmark, from where the Old Norman settlers were believe to have originated. Thanks! Al Barrs
By Al Barrs on April 12th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I am from India, belong to the JAT clan/community.Its alternate words allover the world are JATS,JAATS,JUTES,JUTT,JASZ….
We reside right from India to central Asia & even different nations of Europe.
Just go through following link;
http://www.imninalu.net/Eurasians.htm
Why not some of the likeminded people Of our race try interacting with each other?
If you know some group of your/our community,
pl give them my reference or give me their e-mail id.
rohnitphore@radiffmail.com
By Rohnit on April 28th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Hey, Rohnit, are there Indian Vikings?
By John Evans on April 28th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Hi John Evans
Probably there were not Indian vikings.The Jat/Jute clan is said to be migrated from Caucasian belt.The migration took centuries.
Some left for Gotland[Sweden],then Germany/Denmark &
Kent[UK].Some left towards Hungary,Estonia,Netherland,Ukrain & other ex-Soviets. & another batch was settled in the fertile land of India-Pakistan.You see some of our surnames still resembles with the Europeans.
By Rohnit on May 5th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Comaprison of European Sur-names with present Indian Jats
European Name - Indian Jat Name
(de) Gaule - Gaul(an)
(de) Benville - Beniwal
Ander(son) - Andar/Ainder
Aurer - Aurer/Orar
Ahlwardt - Ahlawat
Dabs - Dabas
Dahl - Dahal
Brahm - Brahm(an)
Alan - Aulan
Baines/Baynes - Bains
Bissel - Bisla
Bal - Bal
Burr - Bura
Cath/Gatti - Katt(Gath)wal
Cook/Kuk - Kuk(ar)
Dam/Dammen - Dama/Dhaman
Danak/Donker - Dhankhar (Dhankar of Rigveda)
Dillon - Dhillon
Dorival - Dhariwal
Daullet - Dulat
Eng/Ang/Engal - Anga(l)
Varing/Bring - Bring
Prod - Paroda
Galt/Kelt/Celt - Galat
George - Jarj
Gill - Gill
Gode - Godha/Godara
Got/Gott/Gaut/Goth - Gat/Cut
Hall - Hala
Ola - Ola
Hood - Hooda
Jun/Junas - Jun/Joon
Kahl _ Kahl(on)/Kallan
Killick - Kalkil/Kilkal
Klar - Kalar
Korb - Kharab
Lamb/Lambe - Lamba
Latmar - Lathmar
Latter - Lather
Laur - Lohar/Lohvar (founded lahore)
Legg - Legh
Luther - Luther
More/Moor - Mor/Maur(ya) of Asoka’s fame
Mack - Machher
Madden - Madan
Mader - Maderna
Mander - Manda/Mander
Mann - Mann
Mayer/Meir - Mayer
Nash - Nassar (sanskrit- Naisya)
Neubauer - Nauber/Nohwar
Noel - Nal
Noon - Nun
Nutt - Nat
Orr - Orrer/Aurer
Piggott - Phogat
Parrott - Paroda
Reid/Read - Riad/Riar
Rose - Roj/Raj
Dodd - Dodd(wal) of Maoo village of Baghpat in UP
Dood - Dudi
Todd - Tudi
Sapir - Sapra
Sandu - Sandhu/Sindhu
Schhiller/Chhiller - Chhiller
Seymour/Seamer - Simar
Shore - Shor/Shoran/Sheoran
Tatran - Tatran
Thacker - Thakkar/Thakran
Teut(on) - Teotia/Tewatia
Torr - Tur (The Turanians)
This list can be similarly multiplied to any length. This 100% commonality of tribal names presupposes common origins and this can not be later than 1000 BC.
By Rohnit on May 5th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
That’s very interesting, Rohnit. We know that most of our languages came from the ancient Indo-European language. The similarities between Sanskrit and Latin/Spanish etc are quite marked.
Also, the Indus Valley civilization was started by people who came from the north, presumably Europe.
By John Evans on May 5th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
John, Jats/Jutes all over the world known as kind-noble people,but brave -dominating clan,ready for war.We had been living in a warmer nation through centuries,so it is obvious to have a bit darker complexion,but genes are the same.
We hold economy in India through agriculture & there are a lot-lot of Jats in Indian army.
Most of us are landlords,had been kings in ancient times,now a days many chief ministers/ministers are in states/nation govts.
Even the unofficial name given to our belt is ‘JATLAND’.
This sounds “Jutland’ in Denmark.
By Rohnit on May 5th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
There were British in India.They too find similarities between
Jats & Europeans. Like; built,surnames & some social cutoms.
Apart from that war like character.
By Rohnit on May 5th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Yes, I think the intelligent British in India recognized the blood ties and became very close to the culture. But then if we only knew it, blood ties are much closer than we would ever think.
By John Evans on May 5th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
There is always a discussion if the jutes were vanished from Kent?
During the British rule in India,General MacMunn wrote in his book about the last Jatt sikh king Dalip Singh [1837-1893],whose statue was auctioned recently, that his friend col.Sleemen said him to be among his own people, the Jutes of Kent while his exile in Britain.
This shows they survived even after the attacks by the Saxons.
So the jutes might be out of focus, thus irrelevant, but not vanished.
By Rohnit on May 8th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
The Jutes came from Jutland where the language today is very close to English. We also know that the Danish “Vikings” — as opposed to the Swedish Vikings — were the same people we call Anglo-Saxons today. The Vikings who became the Normans were also of the same bloodlines as the Anglo-Saxons.
That the Jute language survived to become English shows that the Jutes themselves were dominant in the mix that followed.
By John Evans on May 8th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
As I’ve heard there are World Jat Conventions being held at Belgrade in recent times.The Serbian Medieval Emperor Etien
Dusan was a Jat.
By Rohnit on May 10th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
For more info about the Jutes/Jats in India,log on;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jat
By Rohnit on May 25th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Eureka!
My father has had such problems with a trapped ulnar nerve which pulls his small- and ringfinger towards the palm of his hand and makes him unable to successfully grab a glass etc. He went into surgery of his elbow even, but became even worse after that. Just recently his doctor mumbled something about a “Viking-Syndrome”. My father didn’t understand what it meant, but I was sure it rang a bell. After a quick “google” I ended up here, and this sure explains a lot:)
I have myself problems with straightening out my little fingers completely, though I’ve heard that this “syndrome” is not supposed to affect women.
Thank you for this great blog!
Hugs from Norway
By Øyunn Bolstad on May 28th, 2007 at 7:00 am
Thanks, Oyunn.
Actually, Norway is the home of the true Vikings. The Danish ones were just Anglo-Saxons pretending to be Vikings. But this condition seems to be very common among people of Scandinavian stock.
By John Evans on May 28th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Is this disease you guys speak of a form of arthritis?
The Anglo-saxons and the Danish vikings are not the same. Both groups are linked very closey but are slightly different. The Anglo-saxons came from southern Denmark, northern Germany, and northen Holland. The Danish vikings came from northern Denmark and the Danish Isles.
The Danish vikings settled in England after the Anglo-Saxons and they also invaded and settled in Normandy.
The Anglo-saxons and Danes most likly share the same gene pool
By George on January 17th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I’ve not heard it linked with arthritis, George. It’s definitely a genetic flaw of some sort passed on down the generations.
By John Evans on January 18th, 2008 at 9:50 am
[...] first is, Hey, I’m a Viking, which tells how I discovered that I’m … erm … a Viking. It seems I have the [...]
By SYNTAGMA » Self-indulgence is blogging heaven on January 18th, 2008 at 11:09 am
I have heard of alot of people saying they have the viking relationship. The funny thing is that alot of people are more related to the viking kinship that they think. My research has found that the blood needs to be tested for this genetic conformation. I have seen alot of individuals having sever cases of arthritis, and increses with age.This gene is responsible for not only the little pinky, but deformity in the inner two fingers of both hands as well. Ronald Reagan was said to have this condition, and showed in both hands as well. This condition I presently have in both my hands and I have been tested and found to have this gene. One good thing about it. I may have a bad gene in me, but I don’t feel like waving an axe either.
By William Murr on February 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
There’s a of lot of this around, William. Margaret Thatcher had an operation for it while Prime Minister. She derived from a very Viking part of the country and even behaved like one.
By John Evans on February 12th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I have Dupuytren’s, too, and I am having at least one of my fingers on my right hand fixed in a couple of weeks. It is also starting in my left hand, and there is also the possibility, from what I understand, of it going into the feet, too. Sinatra had it, too, along with Mr. Reagan and Ms. Thatcher. I was adopted as an infant, and I am about to turn 40…the Viking connection is the first piece of genealogical information I have about myself!
By Sanford Fox on April 19th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Nice to have been of assistance, Sanford. And good luck with the operation.
By John Evans on April 20th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Thanks, John. I am not actually doing the faciotomy…rather, I am having the NA procedure done. I wanted to try the less invasive procedure first as my job depends on me being able to use my hands. Also, because of this, I am planning to have both the Y- and mt DNA tests done…I am very interested to find out my roots!
By Sanford Fox on April 20th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I’m sure we’d all be interested in hearing how you get on. Best of luck.
By John Evans on April 20th, 2008 at 3:14 pm