Do all red-haired people have Celtic ancestry?

Question

I was just wondering, because I just read an article about Neanderthals having red hair. In the article, it's mentioned that modern-day descendants of Celts often have red hair. Are all red-haired people of Celtic extraction?

Answer 1

nope . . . this is funny since i just answered another question relating to red hair.

"National Geographic, however, estimates that 2% of the world's population are redheads (September, 2007). It occurs mainly in northern and western European populations, and their descendants, and at low frequencies throughout other parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair

red hair is often found in Celtic populations, but it's certainly not limited to them. it's been found in China, Japan, Iran, Russia, the Nordic countries, Ashkenazi Jews, the South Pacific & Africa. most of these people are in no way related to the Celts, nor can they all be ruled out by random genetic mutations.

". Eighty percent of redheads have a MC1R gene variant,[10] and the prevalence of these alleles is highest in Scotland and Ireland"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_hair#Biochemistry_and_genetics

so while Celts do have a higher than average tendency towards being red-heads, it isn't limited to them.

~~~ morgannia

Answer 2

Some claim the red hair is becaue of the Vikings. However, Scandinavians by and large are not red heads. Not that there aren't some red heads in Scandinavia and everywhere else. They are blondes or they have light brown hair.

Of course, there are people with Celtic ancestors in a lot of places, even Spain.

A good many of the dark haired, dark eyed Irish have Norman ancestry.

Answer 3

I used to think that but found out I was wrong. Some areas of Mexico have a lot of redheads. My mom had a strong red cast to black hair & she was descended from Wales & an Indian tribe. There are even some in Norway. I'd just say now it's more than likely there's a celt in their bloodline somewhere but it's not 100%

Answer 4

My Grandfather was a Mills, He was a red head, Mills is a strong Surname in Ireland and Scotland so maybe, None of his descendants have Red hair, but on the one time I try ed to grow a beard the red colour put me off?.

Answer 5

The only people who have red hair that I've ever met have Irish or Scottish backgrounds somewhere in their bloodlines, I have red hair as well and I know that my great grandmother and grandfather were Irish and Scottish. I've never heard of any other nations having red hair...

Answer 6

I have over a thousand years of ancestors from Kvenland and Scandinavia. My family from that side is 99% red headed and fair skinned.

Answer 7

Russians and Poles can have red hair and they're not Celts.

Answer 8

I'm of Eastern European ancestry, and I had reddish hair as a child. It's faded quite a bit as I've aged.

Answer 9

any european could have celtic ancestry. there is a tribe in australia who are very dark-skinned, and have red hair.

Answer 10

No. Neanderthals had generally dark hair.