Haplogroup O-M117

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Haplogroup O-M117 (also called O2a2b1a1-M117) is a Y-chromosome lineage within the larger O2-M122 family. It’s a paternal line that formed in East or Southeast Asia and is now found across many East Asian populations, often at different frequencies.

What it is
- A subclade of O2a2b1-M134, itself part of haplogroup O-M122.
- Defined by mutations including M117 and related markers (such as Page23, F8/F42, CTS4960, and others).

Origin and age
- Likely originated in East Asia or Southeast Asia.
- Estimated age of origin: about 18,000 years ago.
- Most recent common ancestor of all O-M117 lineages: around 12,600 to 13,750 years ago.
- A major split within O-M117 is between O-M133 (also called O-F8/F42) and O-M117(xM133), with O-M133 being the more common subbranch in many populations.

Where it’s found
- Common in China and neighboring regions; strongly associated with Sino-Tibetan speaking groups.
- Present among Tibetans, Tamang, Tharu, Newar, and many Han Chinese groups across different provinces.
- Found in Koreans and various other East Asian groups, including Mongols, Manchus, Uyghurs, and some Japanese.
- Also detected in several Southeast Asian groups (e.g., Shan, Mon, Tai groups) and in diverse populations in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and nearby areas.
- The exact frequency varies by population and region. In some groups it is quite common, while in others it’s a smaller portion of the paternal line.

Subclades and variation
- The major subclade O-M133 (also referred to as O-F8/F42) is widespread in East Asia.
- O-M117(xM133) is rarer but has its own distinct distribution in parts of China and neighboring regions.
- These subclades reflect past population movements and expansions across East Asia.

Notes on age and expansion
- Some research suggests a Late Neolithic expansion (a few thousand years ago) within this lineage, contributing to its spread in East Asia.
- One proposed older lineage within O-M117 shows deep roots, while the more broadly distributed O-M133 subclade is especially common in many modern East Asian populations.

In short
O-M117 is an ancient East/Southeast Asian Y-chromosome lineage that spread widely in East Asia, especially among Chinese and Sino-Tibetan populations, with a significant subclade (O-M133) that is common across many groups. Its history reflects deep ancestry in the region and multiple waves of population movement over thousands of years.