G'day from Sydney Australia.  My name is Andrew Redfern and I have been studying my family history since the mid 1980s, encouraged by my mother who also had a keen interest in exploring her heritage.  

This surname study was commenced as part of my investigation of the REDFERN surname and variants as I try to break down a brick wall of my own lineage.  I am 7th generation Redfern in Australia and always believed that we originated from England.  However, DNA testing has proven Irish links, particularly around Londondery back in the 1600s.

It would be great to connect with as many Redferns around the world and learn together as we piece our global tree together.  Perhaps we may even discover we are in fact related.

You can read more about our study at www.redfernsworldwide.com and I encourage and welcome contact from anyone interested in this study.

So far the variants of REDFEARN and REDFERNE have been included in the study.  Over time I imagine further variants will be included.  Initial research has shown that the name REDFEARN is predominantly found in the US while the spelling REDFERN is more common in the UK and the rest of the world.  At this point there seems to be very few instances of the variant REDFERNE but am hoping they will turn up at some stage.

The surname REDFERN has English roots, around Rochdale in Lancashire.  It is considered a location surname, "of Redfern" and has also been interpreted as "from the place where red ferns grow."

The name appears in several ancient texts from the early 1600s including Wills and land records.

An associated DNA project has been established at Family Tree DNA and all those with the surname and variants are encouraged to join the project.  If you have tested elsewhere you can upload your results (free of charge) to Family Tree DNA and join the project.  

Y-DNA which is passed from father to son down the paternal line is extremely valuable in tracing surnames as the DNA remains largely unchanged between generations.  It is only available to male testers.  Advice can be given about how to go about doing such a test which is a cheek swab.  The test results will help us to separate the various lines and trace the pedigrees back to their ancient roots.

You can visit the DNA project at:  https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/redfern/about

Please visit the site below for further information about our surname and to follow the progress of the project, including interesting finds and analysis of data collected.

www.redfernsworldwide.com