Why the English prejudice against red or ginger-coloured hair?

Question

Sure, Prince Harry and the Duchess of York, who are both famed for their escapades, have red hair, but so did Churchill and Elizabeth I--not to mention Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson, and Custer. Of course, more Scots and Irish have red hair than English. Explain this prejudice to a mystified American.

Answer 1

I think part of it has deep seeded roots in the Middle Ages.  The common folklore back when was that if you were born with red hair it was a sign of witchcraft or the devil.

Overtime I think the "prejudice" has come about the same way many others have...which is usually due to something being different from the norm about a person.

Answer 2

It comes from an old, old rivalry with the Irish and the Scots.   While not many admit it, but Irish and Scots both come from very common Celtic blood where red hair is common.  Thus, to suppress the Celts, many a red head wasn't given food, nor lodging nor jobs when they came into England.  Frankly, I find it hard to believe it is still an issue in England.  But then, ask the Irish from folks from Kerry!

Answer 3

There isn't one, put as plainly as I can. You get the odd point of Scots being gingers, but never too much. I suppose it's a cultural cliche you've picked up.

And why is this posted in Royalty?

Answer 4

invasion of England a very long time ago by Norsemen who had red hair.  They arrived from the north, invaded Scotland first, raped and pillaged a lot of areas, and swarmed across England.   Today the red hair is the most obvious reminder of that invasion.  Some would say that red haired persons are more norse than English.  My name is Barbara, which comes from the phrase  "Red haired barbarian".  That is how they thought and felt about the Norse invaders.  I don't even have red hair.