Show ContentsSkiner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Skiner was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. Skiner is a name 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 Skiner family

The surname Skiner 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 Skiner family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Skiner 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 Skiner History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Skiner Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Skinner, Skynner, Skiner and others.

Early Notables of the Skiner 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...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Skiner Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Skiner migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Skiner or a variant listed above:

Skiner Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Skiner, who arrived in Virginia in 1661 5
  • Aug Skiner, who arrived in Virginia in 1664 5
  • Augustine Skiner, who landed in Virginia in 1665 5


The Skiner 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.


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. 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.
  5. 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)


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