Need help understanding my predicted Y‑haplogroup (I‑M223) from an Ancestry upload to FTDNA
I only tested with AncestryDNA (autosomal), but I uploaded my raw data to FamilyTreeDNA. On my FTDNA dashboard, it shows my predicted Y‑haplogroup as I‑M223, even though I have not taken any Y‑DNA test like Y‑37 or Big Y.
I’m trying to understand how reliable this prediction is and what it might say about my paternal line. My family is Mexican‑American, and from what I’ve read, I‑M223 seems extremely rare in that population like 0.1% to 0.3% percent. The I-M223 group I was placed in doesn’t have any Spanish surnames. I have reasons to suspect a NPE but not sure tbh. My cousin is showing up as half cousin on Ancestry. Also I matched with 7 distant British matches on Living DNA.
My questions:
- How accurate is FTDNA’s autosomal‑based haplogroup predictor?
- Is I‑M223 actually common enough for this to be a reasonable prediction, or is it likely wrong?
- For anyone familiar with I‑M223, what is the most likely origin of this haplogroup in a Mexican‑American family? (Anglo‑American, German, Dutch, French, etc.)
- Would a Y‑37 be enough to confirm I‑M223, or should I save up for Big Y‑700?
Any insight from people who work with I‑M223 or FTDNA’s predictor would be appreciated.
Thanks Patrick
Posted Jun 4, 2026, 12:53 AM UTC