My mom's family are direct descendents of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins. One of those "fun" things you find in the family history. My paternal grandmother's family arrived on the Mayflower. I hit a dead end with my paternal grandfather's family in Wales at 1777.
Funny you should mention that. My great, great, great, ad infintim, grandfather was William Whipple. My maiden name is Whipple. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
I'm rather proud of my lineage. That said, Whipple is a very common name here in South Dakota, on the Indian reservations.
Apparently, my ancestors were also missionaries for the Native Americans......and thus, spread their seed, and their name.
My parents, (named Whipple) who live with us, are always getting calls from the Native American groups (thinking they are Indians) wanting support or money for one project or another.
No "Charmin" jokes, please. I've heard them all.