Freckles occur in people with heritage from around the world. Because they're often seen in people with red hair, freckles are commonly associated with Ireland and Scotland, where this hair color is common as well. But anyone can get freckles.
While it's true that such a mutation in people of Celtic heritage causes the stereotypical dot-dot-dots in fair redheads, variations of the MC1R gene lead to freckles in Chinese, Japanese, French, Mediterranean, Israeli, and certain African ethnic groups as well, explains Sharma.
Why do Irish people have a lot of freckles? Variations in the MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor) gene involved in melanin production have been linked to freckles in people of European descent, while a 2004 study of Chinese subjects mapped another freckle gene to chromosome 4q32-q34.
Irish Characteristics and DNA
The MC1R gene has been identified by researchers as the gene responsible for red hair as well as the accompanying fair skin and tendency towards freckles. According to genetic research, genes for red hair first appeared in human beings about 40,000 to 50,000 years ago.
Freckles often show up during childhood, and you may continue to get more until you're in your 20s. People with fair skin or red hair are most likely to have them. There are two types of freckles: ephelides and solar lentigines. Although both are flat spots, they're different in a few ways.
Freckles are associated with a variant of a gene called MC1R. MC1R alerts the body when exposed to harmful UV radiation is taking place. This is a dominant gene, meaning anyone with at least one copy of the freckle variant from either parent will have freckles.
Genetics and sun exposure are the primary causes of freckles. Some people are more likely to get freckles than others, depending on their genes and skin type. If a person is genetically more likely to develop freckles, exposure to sunlight can make them appear.
The modern Irish usually have light features – pale blue or green eyes, reddish or brown hair and fair skin with freckles.
In fact, in Ireland and Scotland, more than three-fourths of the population has blue or green eyes – 86 percent! Many factors go into having green eyes.
The Irish call freckles “briciní”, which translates to “little stars”–a perfect description which brings to mind the quote “A face without freckles is like a night without stars.” So true!
“The vast majority of the ethnically-Irish population have skin type 1-2. People in this category have pale skin that burns easily and poorly tans.
DNA research indicates that the three skeletons found behind McCuaig's are the ancestors of the modern Irish and they predate the Celts and their purported arrival by 1,000 years or more. The genetic roots of today's Irish, in other words, existed in Ireland before the Celts arrived.
Whether or not you have freckles depends on the combination of the freckle (F) and non-freckle (f) versions of MC1R you have. Both FF and Ff people have freckles. What this means is that anyone with at least one copy of the freckle version (F) will have freckles. This is why having freckles is a dominant trait.
Freckles are small, concentrated spots of a skin pigment called melanin. Most fair-skinned, red-haired people have them. Freckles are controlled primarily by the MC1R gene. Freckles show a dominant inheritance pattern: parents who have freckles tend to have children with freckles.
Freckles are beautiful
Some of the world's most beautiful people also enjoy flaunting their freckles, so feel free to do the same.
Many people of Irish descent have skin with fair complexions and a small to moderate amount of freckles. While this skin type is most commonly associated with red-hair, a large portion of blondes and brunettes also have complexions reminiscent of the Emerald Isle.
The term “black Irish” refers to persons of Irish descent who are supposed to be descendants of the Spanish Armada, which sailed around the middle of the 15th century, and had dark hair and or eyes. The term is used among people of Irish descent and sometimes confuses people since it doesn't refer to dark skin color.
What ethnicity has hazel eyes? Anyone can be born with hazel eyes, but it's most common in people of Brazilian, Middle Eastern, North African, or Spanish descent.
Ireland has many unique geographical features, including its mountains, rivers, peninsulas, and forests. Ireland has many mountains both in the north and in the south, with Carrauntuohill as its highest peak. Ireland's longest river is the Shannon River, at 240 miles long, and Lough Neagh is its largest lake.
The Celtic peoples have historically lived across mainland Europe stretching from Swizerland and Turkey in the east to Britain and Ireland In the west. They can be defined by multiple physical characteristics such as red hair, blue and green eyes, tartan clothing, and prominent statures.
In Ireland, olive or medium-green eyes are most common… among the famous redheads of Ireland, blue, grey, and brown eyes are also found… Hazel eyes, which feature a predominately green iris with a ring of brown or amber near the pupil, are also common in Ireland.
Freckles can appear on all types of skin tones. Of the six Fitzpatrick skin types, they are most common on skin tones 1 and 2, which usually belong to North Europeans. However, it can also be found on people all over the world.
There appears to be an evolutionary purpose for freckles in humans. People who lived in places with higher sun exposure had a darker skin color. This is due to the excess production of melanin, which protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
Freckles tend to run in families. People (especially kids) who have fair complexions are most likely to freckle.