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The Guardian - UK

Why are Brown, White or Black common surnames but not Red, Blue or Purple?

Cilla Black. But why is there no Cilla Blue? — Cilla Black. But why is there no Cilla Blue? Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian

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

Post your answers (and new questions) below or send them to nq@theguardian.com. A selection will be published on Sunday.

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