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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Readers reply: why are Brown, White or Black common surnames but not Red, Blue or Purple?

Joe Green Long Grey Scarlet
Actually there is a Mr Blonde, Mr. White, Mr Pink, Mr Blue …
Actually there is a Mr Blonde, Mr. White, Mr Pink, Mr Blue … Photograph: Rank Film/Allstar

In English-speaking cultures, why are Green, Brown, White, Black or Grey the only common surnames that are colours? I have never met or heard of anyone with a surname such as Red, Purple or Blue. Is this the case in other languages? Stephen Riley, Ann Arbor, Michigan

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