The table below compares the Y-DNA sequence for the 46 Wade descendants who have made their results public, and combines them with available genealogical data. As can be seen, there are five Y-haplogroups represented; however 2/3 are R1b sub-types. The 46 individuals are represented by 21 motifs, two of which demonstrate further mutations which indicate a most recent common ancestor in the last few centuries (e.g. a common Wade ancestor from the time surnames were adopted). This diversity demonstrates the large number of new Wade immigrants to America over the centuries, and contrasts strongly with less-common surnames, where often all of those with that surname in the United States may trace their ancestry back to a common early immigrant ancestor.

There are a few clues for those seeking their genealogical connections; it also points out some errors in genealogies posted to the Internet. For example, the most remote known ancestors of motifs R1b-09a and R1b-11a all figure in geneologies that trace their lines back to the renowned explorer Armagil Wade (1511-1568), and his son, WIlliam Wade, who figured prominently in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and was a stakeholder in the Jamestown Colony. But obviously one, or both is wrong - which one is correct?

This indicates the problem with genealogy, and the potential for dna to provide a check. The records of Virginia include many Wades with the same names living at the same time. Some of these Wades probably do trace back to Armagil, but others do not. There is simply not enough information in the records to tell one from the other. Genetic analysis should eventually provide the answer.

Others may get some leads on further research on their ancestors. Can all of the R1b-04's trace themselves now back to Elisha Wade of Virginia, ca 1765? Did the two groupings of mutations shown occur after the first immigrant came to America? It's possible, although of low probability. But they probably had the same origin back on the British Isles.

In the case of the R1b-05's, there are three subtypes, and it seems clear by the geographical separation that three seperate immigrant events occurred from England - George Wade, b 1720, from London to Virgina, the ancestors of Hampton Waid, b 1750, to Virginia, and the ancestors of Caleb Waid, b 1793, to New Hampshire. But it seems that they must have come from the same Waid clan in England.

For the R1b-06's, it would seem likely that Harvey H Wade b 1873 would be descended from Henry Wade b 1795 in North Carolina. And R1b-07's Elijah Wade b 1804 South Carolina would be related somehow to Thomas Wade b 1804 on the Isle of Man.