Less than 1% of your DNA likely comes from any single ancestor approximately seven generations back.
The question "How far back is 1% DNA?" refers to how many generations one must go back in their family tree before a single ancestor likely contributes less than 1% of their DNA to the individual. It's important to remember that you can't inherit more than half of an ancestor's DNA. Genetic inheritance becomes diluted with each successive generation.
Understanding DNA Inheritance Over Generations
It's crucial to understand how DNA inheritance works. You inherit roughly 50% of your DNA from each parent. This percentage halves with each preceding generation.
Estimating DNA Contribution from Ancestors
The following shows the probable percentages of genes you may have inherited from ancestors going back four generations:
| Generation Back | Approximate DNA Contribution |
|---|---|
| Parents | 50% |
| Grandparents | 25% |
| Great-Grandparents | 12.5% |
| Great-Great-Grandparents | 6.25% |
Based on the reference information, at seven generations back, it's probable that any specific ancestor contributed less than 1% of your DNA. It is also probable that there are ancestors from whom you inherited no DNA.
