Contents [hide]

Skinner History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Skinner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the Skinner family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Skinner is for a skinner. Looking back even further, we found the name was originally derived from the Old Norse word skinn, meaning hide, and indicates that the original bearer was employed in the trade of removing animal hides.1

As to underscore the significance of this trade name, "The Skinners' Company in London received their charter of incorporation so early as the first year of Edward II. " 2 Reader's note: King Edward II reigned from 1307 to 1327. Like many of these early entries, this would note that the registration occurred during the first year of King Edward's reign.

Early Origins of the Skinner family

The surname Skinner was first found in Lincolnshire, England, where Sir Robert Skynner, a Norman knight received from Duke William the lands of Bolinbroke, accompanied with the hand in marriage of the daughter of their former owner, Robert de Bolinbroke, of the Saxon race. In the year 1070 the issue of this relationship intermarried with many distinguished houses until the chief branch became extinct in the year 1700.

Later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Henry le Skyniar in Oxfordshire. 3 Kirby's Quest listed Robert le Skynnar in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of King Edward III.) 4 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Sckynner; and Willelmus de Parlyngton, skynnar. 3 The latter listing referring to the trade.

Early History of the Skinner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Skinner research. Another 157 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1411, 1587, 1596, 1623, 1629, 1667, 1679, 1721, 1744, 1746, 1788, 1807 and 1816 are included under the topic Early Skinner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Skinner Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Skinner have been found, including Skinner, Skynner, Skiner and others.

Early Notables of the Skinner family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Thomas Skinner (died c.1411), MP for Shrewsbury
Thomas Skinner (died 1596), master of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers and a London Alderman elected Sheriff in 1587 and Lord Mayor of London in 1596
Stephen Skinner (1623-1667), an English Lincoln physician, lexicographer and etymologist
Thomas Skinner (d. 1596), Sheriff in 1587 and Lord Mayor of London in 1596

Skinner World Ranking

In the United States, the name Skinner is the 531^st most popular surname with an estimated 54,714 people with that name. 5 However, in Canada, the name Skinner is ranked the 630^th most popular surname with an estimated 8,221 people with that name. 6 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Skinner is the 133^rd popular surname with an estimated 281 people with that name. 7 Australia ranks Skinner as 305^th with 11,714 people. 8 New Zealand ranks Skinner as 389^th with 1,673 people. 9 The United Kingdom ranks Skinner as 318^th with 19,303 people. 10

Skinner migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Skinner were among those contributors:

Skinner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Skinner who settled in Virginia in 1606
John Skinner, aged 24, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 aboard the ship "Marmaduke" 11
Nicholas Skinner, who landed in Virginia in 1623 11
Edward Skinner, who settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1630
Anth Skinner, who landed in Virginia in 1635 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Skinner Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jona Skinner, who landed in Virginia in 1701 11
Lewis Skinner, who arrived in Virginia in 1703 11
Jos Skinner, who arrived in Virginia in 1711 11
Samuel Skinner, who arrived in Virginia in 1711 11
William Skinner, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1718 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Skinner Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William S Skinner, who landed in America in 1804 11
John Skinner, who landed in America in 1807 11
Alexander Skinner, who arrived in New York in 1811 11
Helen Skinner, aged 18, who arrived in New York, NY in 1834 11
Margaret Skinner, aged 8, who landed in New York, NY in 1834 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Skinner migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Skinner Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Richard Skinner, who settled in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1706 12
Mr. Benjamin Skinner U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 13
Mr. Benjamin Skinner Sr., U.E. who settled in Stamford [Niagara Falls], Ontario c. 1784 who died before c. 1825 13
Mr. Haggai Skinner U.E. who settled in Stamford [Niagara Falls], Ontario c. 1784 13
Mr. Haggai Skinner U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 13

Skinner Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Abiram Skinner, who landed in Canada in 1830

Skinner migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Skinner Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Richard Skinner, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 24th March 1787, sentenced for 7 years, transported Atlantic" on 27th March 1791 to New South Wales, Australia 14

Skinner Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Skinner, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Charles Skinner, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for life, transported aboard the "Fame" on 9th October 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
Mr. Thomas Skinner, British Convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Charles Skinner, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Mr. Richard Skinner, (Barker), British Convict who was convicted in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 11th August 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he may have returned after his certificate of freedom 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Skinner migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Skinner Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

James Skinner, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
William Skinner, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Mandarin" in 1841
Mr. Thomas Skinner, (b. 1813), aged 28, British settler travelling from Plymouth aboard the ship "Oriental" arriving in New Plymouth, Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand via Wellington on 7th November 1841 20
Thomas Skinner, aged 19, a brickmaker, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Oliver Lang" in 1856
Mr. William Skinner, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Harwood" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 4th November 1858 21
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Skinner (post 1700) +

Burrhus Fredric "B.F." Skinner (1904-1990), celebrated American psychologist, probably best known for the Skinner's box, awarded the National Medal of Science in 1969
Chauncey S. Skinner (b. 1850), American Republican politician, business; Member of Vermont State House of Representatives from Barton, 1888 22
William I. Skinner, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1864 22
William Skinner, American politician, Member of Vermont State House of Representatives from Royalton, 1888 22
William Skinner, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Vermont, 1856 22
Wallace Warren Skinner, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention from Wayne County 19th District, 1961 22
W. W. Skinner, American politician, Mayor of Salem, Oregon, 1885-86 22
W. M. Skinner, American politician, Member of Texas State House of Representatives 17th District, 1887-88 22
Thomson Joseph Skinner (1752-1809), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Massachusetts State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, 1797-99, 1803-04 (3rd District 1797, at-large 1797-99, 1803-04); Massachusetts State Treasurer, 1806-08 22
Stephen G. Skinner, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 2008; Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates 67th District 22
... (Another 92 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Skinner family +

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. G Skinner, British Able Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 23
Mr. Skinner, British Sergeant Marine, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking, was later killed in action in 1942 23

SS Caribou

Mr. Richard James Skinner (b. 1905), British passenger who was Royal Navy from Halifax, Nova Scotia was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he died in the sinking
Miss Nancy Skinner (b. 1940), British passenger from Halifax, Nova Scotia was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, she died in the sinking
Mrs. Kathleen Skinner (b. 1907), British passenger from Halifax, Nova Scotia was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, she died in the sinking
Mr. Basil Skinner (b. 1938), British passenger from Halifax, Nova Scotia was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he died in the sinking

SS Newfoundland

Mr. John Skinner, Newfoundlander from St. John's, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he survived

Victoria steamboat disaster

Lilly Skinner, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

The Skinner Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sanguis et vulnera
Motto Translation: Blood and wounds.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th September 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/fairlie
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, August 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html