This £27 DNA test can reveal surprising family roots - and one man says it led him to royalty

Could you be related to William the Conqueror? One man definitely thinks so after taking a bargain DNA testplaceholder image
Could you be related to William the Conqueror? One man definitely thinks so after taking a bargain DNA test

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

A £27 DNA swab kit has helped one customer connect with biological family members and uncover a possible noble lineage — and thousands are now considering testing their own roots

Most of us go through life not really knowing who our ancestors were beyond a couple of generations. A great-grandparent if we’re lucky, maybe a rumour of Irish roots, Scottish clans or a long-lost cousin who swears someone in the family was a duke. Usually, that’s where the story ends.

But thanks to increasingly affordable DNA testing kits, more and more people are beginning to question the stories they grew up with — and in some cases, rewrite them entirely.

One customer of MyHeritage DNA did exactly that after ordering a simple swab kit currently on offer for £27, and what followed reads like something between a mystery novel and a family reunion.

Brian Devitt explained he used the DNA test to track down his birth parents - but there were surprises in storeplaceholder image
Brian Devitt explained he used the DNA test to track down his birth parents - but there were surprises in store | TrustPilot

Brian Devitt explained in a TrustPilot review that he began the process not even knowing who his birth parents were. Weeks later, after his DNA matches filtered in and online family tree tools did their work, he discovered not only relatives — but living ones.

Brian eventually connected with a half-sister, distant cousins and branches of his biological family he’d never known existed. According to his review, he now talks to some of them regularly.

And then came the twist. As he continued exploring deeper ancestry records through the platform, he says his tree began connecting to medieval nobility — including, he claims, a line leading all the way back to William the Conqueror.

The home DNA kits arrive in the post and come back to you within a few weeksplaceholder image
The home DNA kits arrive in the post and come back to you within a few weeks | MyHeritage DNA

As it happens, DNA alone can’t confirm a direct link to a specific medieval monarch. Experts tend to agree that if you go far enough back, most Europeans share some overlap with royal and aristocratic bloodlines simply because of how populations mixed over hundreds of years. But that’s also part of the fascination.

DNA tests like the ones offered by MyHeritage DNA can reveal heritage across more than 2,000 global regions, migration patterns, ethnic origins and relatives you may never have known existed.

For adoptees, donor-conceived individuals, or people with gaps in their family history, the experience can be genuinely life-changing.

Scientific analysis can bring up all kinds of interesting linksplaceholder image
Scientific analysis can bring up all kinds of interesting links | MyHeritage DNA

The kits arrive in the post, you do a simple cheek swab and send it off. A few weeks later, your results appear online and you can begin exploring your roots, adding documents, and connecting all the dots.

The kit is currently reduced to £27 as part of an extended Black Friday deal, which is one of the lowest prices we’ve seen. You need to be quick, though, because the sale ends in a few days.

To find out more or to start your fascinating journey, click here.

placeholder image
Allica Bank

Allica Bank is changing how UK businesses make their money work harder. Its Business Rewards Account offers high interest on idle cash and up to 1.5% cashback on everyday spending - without the need for risky investments or complex setups. With a fully digital platform, seamless integration with Sage or Xero, and dedicated relationship managers, it’s a smarter way to manage your funds and boost your bottom line.

placeholder image
Laithwaite’s

Laithwaite’s wine subscriptions have become one of the more reliable Christmas gift options this year, offering a practical mix of quality, convenience and long-term value. 🎁🍷 The flagship choice is the Mixed Wine Subscription, which sends four £60 cases across the year, each containing six well-selected bottles covering reds, whites and seasonal picks. For those who prefer a more focused delivery, the Red Wine Subscription keeps to richer styles only. 🍇 A premium alternative is the Fine Wine Trios option, starting at £55, which delivers three higher-end bottles per shipment. These are thoughtful, repeat-arrival gifts that tend to land well with most recipients.

Explore Laithwaite’s wine subscription gifts from £55 here: Laithwaite’s Wine Subscriptions

News you can trust since 1931
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice