Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Cisneros surname mean?

Cisneros is a Spanish place name. It comes from the town of Cisneros in the province of Palencia, in northern Spain, and is often understood to mean something close to a "place of swans," from the old word for swan. A second reading traces the name to a Latin root meaning ash or burned land, and the question is not settled. A surname that comes from a place is called a toponymic surname, and Cisneros is one of the classic examples.

Where does the Cisneros surname come from?

The name began in the town of Cisneros in Palencia, in the old kingdom of Castile. From there it spread with Spanish settlement across Latin America, especially Mexico, and later into the United States, which is why Cisneros families are found on both sides of the Atlantic today.

Is everyone named Cisneros related?

No, and this is one of the most interesting findings of the study. Because Cisneros is a place name, different and unrelated families each took it on independently, long ago. DNA confirms it: we have already identified several separate Cisneros paternal lines that do not share a recent common ancestor. Sharing the surname does not by itself mean two people share a bloodline.

What is the difference between a Y-DNA test and a regular DNA test?

A regular, or autosomal, DNA test, the kind most companies sell, looks at ancestry from all of your lines, but it fades after about five generations. A Y-DNA test follows only the direct father-to-son line, the same line the surname travels, and it stays readable for many centuries. That makes Y-DNA the right tool for a surname study. Only men carry a Y chromosome, so only men can take this particular test.

Who can take the Y-DNA test?

Any man whose direct paternal line carries the Cisneros name, or a variant such as Sisneros. If that is not you, you can still take part: a father, brother, uncle, or male-line cousin who carries the name can test on behalf of your branch.

How do I join the project?

Order a Y-DNA test through FamilyTreeDNA and join the Cisneros Surname Project there, which is free. If you would like help choosing a test or getting started, just reach out and we will walk you through it.

Is this website free? What does testing cost?

This website and the surname project are free. The DNA test itself has a cost, set by FamilyTreeDNA, which varies by the level of test you choose. In some cases a sponsored test may be available, and you are welcome to ask.

What are haplogroups like E-V22, J-M172, and I-M223?

A haplogroup is a branch of the human paternal family tree, defined by a small, permanent change in the Y chromosome that is passed down the generations. Labels like E-V22 or J-M172 simply name which branch a man belongs to. The Cisneros lines we have found so far sit on different branches, which is how we know they are separate families.

Is my information and my DNA kept private?

Yes. This site only collects what you send through its forms, and we never sell or share it. Your actual DNA sample and results are held by FamilyTreeDNA under their own consent and privacy terms, which you agree to directly with them. You can read our own note on the privacy page.

Is this an official or commercial project?

No. It is an independent, non-commercial family history project, run by a volunteer, simply out of a love of the name and its history. Nothing on this site is for sale.

I spell it Sisneros, Cisnero, or Zisneros. Am I included?

Yes. All spellings and variants of the name are welcome and are part of the study, including Cisneros, Sisneros, Cisnero, Zisneros, and de Cisneros.