Where did Rednecks Come From?

Believe it or not the origins of the term 'Redneck' are Scottish. This term was used in refrence to the supporters of the National Covenant or "Covenanters". The supporters consisted mostly of Lowland Presbyterians that later fled Scotland or Ulster during persecutions by the British Crown. The Covenanters of 1638 and 1641 signed documents stating they would not accept the Church of England as their official church. Many signed in their own blood to make a point and wore red pieces of cloth around their necks as sign of their refusal to accept the church. This is where the term 'redneck' came into existence. The term redneck soon became slang for Scottish dissenters. Due to the fact that many Scottish immigrants that ended up in the south were Presbyterian the term Redneck became a term not just for Presbyterians but their later descendants as well.

Source

Wilkinson, Todd J. "Scottish Hillbillies and Rednecks?" Scottish History Online.
Date Accessed Online 12, 21, 2007 http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/rednecks/rednecks.html