Did the Scots and Irish get their red and blond hair from invading Vikings?

Answer 1

The Scots and Irish have the largest numbers per capita of redheads of any population. However, the numbers of other Celtic nations is equally large compared to the general European and Middle Eastern populations (the Phoeniceans were known as having a large population of redheads and there is a theory that some of the redheaded population in the Islands happened as a result of trade over tin). The Norse were pretty much known as blondes-there were dark haired Norse, but the general perception of the time was that the Norse were blonde. The Norse come from the Asian Steppes and genetic markers link them to that region and many tribes of that area (most Germanic peoples come from that area). The Celts on the other hand appeared prior to the last Ice Age and migrated ahead of the glaciers and settled in pockets of warm regions. As the ice receeded they returned to Europe. This has been confirmed via grave examination. Modern and anchient Celts have a particular charateristic-the Celtic foot, the toe next the the big toe is the same size or larger than the big toe. It is this method that is used to track Celtic migrations. Further information on this can be had via the Family Tree a publication of the Geneological Library at Moultrie, GA. So the Norse did contribute the blonde hair to the populations of Ireland and Scotland, but not the red hair. In fact, it is a tradition that during "First Footing," a tradition held during Hogmaney (New Years), that the darkest haired male (preferable a stranger) be the first to enter the house, he bears three gifts for the house as a form of blessing for the coming year. At any rate the hair is dark as the Norse were seen to be light haired and a dark haired male was not seen as threatening.

Answer 2

Well, the people of Brittney are Celts too and there are a quite a few redheads among them. I think the red hair is probably a Celtic trait. Later Normans invaded Ireland and they had dark hair and dark eyes.

And the answer above is correct, the Vikings invaded Ireland and built some of the coastal towns.

Another thing you have to consider dark eyes, dark hair are dominant traits. However only 35% of the Irish have dark eyes. I don't think the Vikings' blue eyes fair hair characteristics could have overcome a dominant dark hair and dark eyed people that much. Also the Normans added dark traits. It seems to reason that the larger Celtic population already there were fair headed and had blue or green eyes.

Answer 3

In a few instances, yes. In most cases no.

Red hair can be found in populations throughout northern Europe and Russia, and it probably existed in the Proto-Indo-European speaking population from which both the Celtic and Germanic peoples sprang. Reddish hair even occasionally appears among the Lapps (Saami) and Finns too who are actually of Uralic origin, not Germanic. The Romans (Italic Indo-Europeans) also had the name "Rufus" which meant "read-headed."

The great 18th century Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi, was also described by his contemporaries as being a red-head. Yet, he lived in Venice which never was visited by the Vikings.

There are also different types of red hair. For example, there is a maroon-colored red hair which is almost exclusively Irish although it is occasionally found among the Scots, Bretons (Nothwest France) and Galatian descendants in Turkey too. It most likely comes from genes inherited from the Celts.

Answer 4

Well genetics does have alot to do with it. But saying that every Red Headed Scot or Irish person had Viking Ancestry would be crazy. I have Smith's in my family that are English and they have flaming red hair. So going by someone appearance in genealogy isn't exactly how its done.

Answer 5

That's the general theory, since the native Irish tended to have dark hair. Viking invasion and settlement in places like Spain, Sicily and what is now northern Turkey also resulted in blondes and redheads in those areas whose native populations are usually dark haired.

Answer 6

I happen to be the product of one of those invasions. The light complexion along with red hair and freckles were the result of the Vikings having their way with Celtic women.

The true look of the Celts is Black hair and light complexion.

Answer 7

In the UK crimson hair is regularly related to men and women of Celtic descent, i.e Scotland and Ireland. It is thought the men and women of Scotland got here from five extraordinary ethnic companies who occupied or invaded northern Britain in the dead of night a long time.

Answer 8

Red and blond hair go way back in our genome. Just as there are red and blond apes.

Answer 9

The "Irish" lived long before them, even before the Greeks. But you never know what mixed breeding has done.

Answer 10

We never invaded the Vikings! And it seems you never learned your English grammar :)