Skinnar History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Skinnar was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Skinnar 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 Skinnar family

The surname Skinnar 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 Skinnar family

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

Skinnar Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Skinnar were recorded, including Skinner, Skynner, Skiner and others.

Early Notables of the Skinnar 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 Skinnar Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Skinnar family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Skinnar arrived in North America very early: John Skinner (1590-1650), an early Puritan settler in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and one of the founders of Hartford, Connecticut; Thomas Skinner who settled in Virginia in 1606.

The Skinnar 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.