A · BT · CT · F · K · K2 · K2b · NO · N · N1 · N1a · N1a1 · N1a1a · N1a1a1 · N1a1a1a · N1a1a1a2

Haplogroup N1a1a1a2

N1a1a1a2-Z342

Macro-haplogroup

Parent clade

N1a1a1a

Formed (estimate)

c. 7,000–8,000 years before present

TMRCA (estimate)

c. 3,500–5,000 years ago

Z342
Z351
CTS17279

Overview

N1a1a1a2 (Z342) is the dominant Estonian-centered branch of the N1a1a1a complex. It emerged during the mid-Holocene among Uralic-affiliated foragers and early agricultural groups in the eastern Baltic region. Its expansion corresponds to the consolidation of Proto-Estonian and Finnic-speaking populations, and it remains a defining component of Estonia’s paternal heritage.

Geographic distribution

Most frequent in Estonia, especially in the northern and northeastern counties. Present at lower frequencies in Finland, Latvia, and among Finnic-descended groups in Russia’s northwest. Minor occurrences exist across Baltic archaeological horizons with Uralic influence.

Ancient DNA

Iron Age burials from Estonia exhibit Z342-derived lineages with clear continuity to modern Estonians.
Subneolithic and early Bronze Age eastern Baltic individuals show upstream markers ancestral to Z342.
Population genetic models link Z342 expansions to the spread of early Finnic-speaking groups around the Gulf of Finland.

Phylogeny & subclades

N1a1a1a2 is divided into regionally coherent subbranches such as N1a1a1a2a (north Estonia), N1a1a1a2b (northeast Baltic) and smaller microclades distributed across Finnic-speaking areas.

N1a1a1a2a
N1a1a1a2b
N1a1a1a2c

Notes & context