Following a story in my family that we are descended on the male side from emigrants from France and having reached a dead-end in my family history research, I decided to have my Y-DNA tested by FAMILYTREEDNA in the U.S.A. in order to discover my origins. After tests, my haplogroup was established as R1b1b2a1a4 which has been designated the 'Frisian haplogroup' by researchers who have noticed its proliferation in that area.
From correspondence with a Werner Peene of Flanders I have discovered that at the time of the Spanish Inquisition many Flemish merchants emigrated to London, England, some of whom bore the name Van Peene. Study of London records showed that Van Peene changed over time to Van Payne and finally to Payne alone. This seemed to be a line to follow seeing that my DNA originated in the Netherlands, part of which was taken over by France, and that my male ancestors back to about 1775 lived in London.
However, studying FTDNA's notification to me of close matches to my DNA group, I could not understand why so many of these close matches originated in Scotland where I had no knowledge of any connection. After much study of reasons for this, one fact became clear: when William the Conqueror invaded England, the right flank of his army was composed of Flemings - (his wife was a Fleming) and after victory many members of this force were awarded large estates in England, particularly in the East Midlands. Their Lady Maud de Senlis married David, later king of Scotland and many of her supporters followed her to Scotland in large numbers.
In view of all the foregoing, I have a strong belief that my name originated from Van Peene and I have a desire to compare my Y-DNA with that of a male Van Peene or Van Payne in order to confirm this connection.
Stanley Payne





this connection.