Dec. 21, 2005 — A genetic study is underway in England to determine the first man with "Christmas" as a surname, and indications are that he was a fellow named Roger who lived in Sussex in the year 1200, according to Oxford Ancestors, a British company that specializes in analysis of ancestral DNA.

Since Sussex — a county in southeastern England — was mostly rural at the time, the possible first father Christmas likely worked as a farmer and may have descended from the Normans who conquered England in 1066.

The Normans were a people of mixed Germanic and Scandinavian decent who settled in Normandy in the 10th century.

The DNA study, however, has just begun, so another individual may take the Father Christmas title away from Roger. Any male bearer of the last name Christmas may participate through Oxford Ancestors.

Julie Shephard, who is assisting with the project, told Discovery News, "The response so far has been huge, considering that Christmas is not a common name."

She said many respondents are from Sussex and Essex, with some individuals also coming from other parts of the U.K., as well as Sweden and Australia.

The goal of the research is to establish connections between individuals by surname, and then to determine relatedness through Y-chromosome analysis. Shephard and her colleagues send select participants a DNA test kit that requires the recipient to wipe the inside of his cheek with a swab.

All men carry the Y-chromosome, which is a cell component that contains genetic information. Prior studies have identified 15 major Y-chromosome haplogroups. These groups correspond with branches on family trees.

By studying genetic markers within the swab samples, the researchers can produce what they refer to as a “Y-Clan signature” that can be compared with the genetic signatures of others.

In addition to Roger Christmas of Sussex, other identified early holders of the name are Simon of Pevensey from the year 1288, William of Huntingdon from 1318, Peter of Steeple Mordern from 1359 and Richard of Colchester from 1400. By the early 16th century, the name became more widespread in Essex, Surrey, Cambridgeshire, London and Sussex.

Arthur G. Holder, dean and vice president for academic affairs and a professor of Christian spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, told Discovery News that the first references to the word "Christmas" date to the early 1100s and 1200s.

"By the early 12th century we find references to the 'mass of Christ' on Dec. 25 in late Old English literary sources," he explained. "In earlier Anglo-Saxon usage, this feast was called 'geol,' which just means 'feast;' the word 'yule' as in Yuletide is derived from this Germanic root. The 12th century is about the same time that the custom of using surnames developed in England through Norman influence."

Holder added, "I can't really think of another reason why someone would receive the surname Christmas unless he was born on that day. It is interesting to note that there are some other English surnames related to Christian festivals, for example Easter — and I know someone named Easterday — and Pentecost."

Henry Christmas, who has been researching the origins of his surname for the past 50 years, is not yet convinced that his last name originated with someone who was born on Christmas.

He, and others involved in the study, hope the precise identification of the founding father Christmas will solve the mystery.