<P> Emigration from Europe has multiplied the population of red haired humans in the Americas, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa . In the United States, it is estimated that 2--6% of the population has red hair . This would give the U.S. the largest population of redheads in the world, at 6 to 18 million, compared to approximately 420,000 in Ireland and 300,000 in Scotland . </P> <P> Several accounts by Greek writers mention redheaded people . A fragment by the poet Xenophanes describes the Thracians as blue - eyed and red - haired . </P> <P> In Asia, red hair has been found among the ancient Tocharians, who occupied the Tarim Basin in what is now the northwesternmost province of China . Caucasian Tarim mummies have been found with red hair dating to the 2nd millennium BC . </P> <P> Reddish - brown (auburn) hair is also found amongst some Polynesians, and is especially common in some tribes and family groups . In Polynesian culture reddish hair has traditionally been seen as a sign of descent from high - ranking ancestors and a mark of rulership . </P>

Where does the red hair gene come from