I have no idea if people complained at the time about the ethnicity of the main cast. Even Sam's blondness seemed too 'fair' to me by the description, but at the same time, Sean Astin was so perfect for the role.

I guess in my mind, I kinda see the Shire as being something tucked into the hills of the British isles in the ages before intercontinental travel was common. Isolated population of northern Europe.

*sigh*
idk.