Show ContentsSkipper History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Skipper family

The surname Skipper was first found in Essex where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1285 when Geoffrey le Skippere held estates in that county.

Early History of the Skipper family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Skipper research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1286, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Skipper History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Skipper Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Skipper, Skippere, Skipp, Skypper, Skypp, Skepper and many more.

Early Notables of the Skipper family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • the Skipper family of Essex

Skipper Ranking

In the United States, the name Skipper is the 3,849th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1


United States Skipper migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Skipper Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Skipper, who landed in Virginia in 1650 2
  • William Skipper, who landed in Maryland in 1663 2
Skipper Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Michal Skipper, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1787 2
Skipper Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Willie Skipper, who arrived in Alabama in 1917 2

Australia Skipper migration to Australia +

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

Skipper Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Michael Skipper, aged 20, a clerk, who arrived in Holdfast Bay, Australia aboard the ship "Africaine" in 1836 3
  • Mr. James Skipper, English convict who was convicted in Norwich, Norfolk, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 30th September 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) 4

New Zealand Skipper 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:

Skipper Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Isaac Skipper, (b. 1829), aged 30, English miner, from Norfolk travelling from London aboard the ship "Robert Small" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 29th January 1860 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Skipper (post 1700) +

  • William Patterson "Pat" Skipper (b. 1958), American television actor, film actor and voice actor
  • Ryan Skipper (1981-2007), American murder victim
  • Elix Skipper (b. 1967), American professional wrestler and former professional football player
  • Tripp Skipper, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Alabama, 2012 6
  • N. B. Skipper, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arkansas, 1908 6
  • Kim A. Skipper, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Alaska, 2008 6
  • J. L. Skipper, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 1920 6
  • Glenn B. Skipper, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 1924, 1928; Candidate for U.S. Representative from Florida at-large, 1932 6
  • E. E. Skipper, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Florida, 1916 6
  • Peter Dennis Skipper (1958-2019), English footballer who played as a central defender from 1979 to 1994
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Hood
  • Mr. John F Skipper (b. 1909), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Aldershot, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 7


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) AFRICAINE 1836. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1836Africaine.htm
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th November 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  7. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm


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