Surname Skelton - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Discovering My Lineage: A Personal Review of the iGENEA DNA Test and the Skelton Surname
Embark on a journey of heritage discovery with a vivid recount of my experience with the iGENEA DNA test. From the passage of collecting the DNA sample to learning about the historical context of the surname Skelton and connecting with others sharing this lineage, it's an odyssey worth exploring.
B. Skelton
read moreSkelton: What does the surname Skelton mean?
The surname Skelton has an English origin, specifically from Northern England. It is a locational name derived from several places named Skelton in Cumberland, Yorkshire, and Cleveland. The name itself dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first registered as "Sceldun". The word "Skelton" is believed to come from the Old English words 'scelf', meaning 'shelf', and 'dun', meaning 'hill', which indicates that the original bearers of the name likely lived in or near a location characterized by a hill with a ledge or steep slope. Over time, it has been spelled in various ways such as Skelton, Skeldon and others. The surname, like many others of English origin, became widespread as families moved and relocated, often taking their hometown's name as a surname. Some notable people with this surname include TV comedian and actor Red Skelton and author Philip Skelton.
Order DNA origin analysisSkelton: Where does the name Skelton come from?
The last name Skelton is most commonly found in English-speaking countries today. The distribution of the last name Skelton is highest in the United Kingdom, followed by the United States of America. According to the data source for British surnames published in the 1881 Census, the name Skelton ranked number 3063 in the United Kingdom at that time.
In the United States, the last name Skelton is widely dispersed throughout the country. However, the highest number of Skeltons is in the state of Mississippi, which is closely followed by Virginia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Other states with a high concentration of Skelton families include Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, and Alabama.
In Canada, according to the Population of Canada by last Names; the Skelton family is one of the most common last names in the country. According to the 2011 Canadian Census, the name Skelton is spread across the country, from British Columbia in the west, right through to the easternmost parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. In Australia, the Skelton family is among the top 30 surnames, according to data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Overall, the last name Skelton is widespread throughout the English-speaking world and is very commonly found in these countries today.
Variations of the surname Skelton
The surname Skelton is derived from the Old English words 'sceald' meaning 'shallow' and 'tun' meaning an enclosure or a settlement. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Skelton/Skilton, Schelton/Schelten, Shelton, Shelden, Shelten, Sheldon, and Sheldone.
Skelton is a popular English surname, and can be found all over the country. Many people with the surname Skelton simply spell it like that and have truncated it from its original form, Schelden or Schelton. Variations of Skelton such as Shelton and Shelden originate in the West Midlands region and Cheshire. Shelden and Sheldone originate from Yorkshire, and Schelden and Scheldone from Scotland.
The surname Skelton originates from various places of settlement in England, and can be found in the 10th and 11th centuries in the records of the Domesday book. The Skelton family also gained acknowledgement through its connection to Lord Skelton of Hardwick in the 15th century.
In America, many people of English descent adopted the Skelton surname from Europe, and similarly to Britain, there are numerous variations of the spelling. Variations include Skellton/Skilton, Shelton, Shelden, Sheldin, Sheldahl, Shelten, and Sheltun.
The Skelton surname is a popular English and American surname, and has been used for centuries by individuals of various cultural backgrounds. Although its original form is Schelton, there are numerous variations of the name, all of which are derived from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Skelton
- Red Skelton: a beloved American entertainer, an actor, comedian, and artist. He was also an honorary Pigeon Master with the Fraternal Order of Pigeon Fanciers, a philanthropist, and a World War II veteran.
- John Skelton: An English poet, priest, satirist, and translator of the early Tudor era, he wrote Rouge et noir, the first book of English and Provençal poetry printed in England. He also wrote a treatise on poetry.
- Dan Skelton: A leading British jump jockey who has had several prestigious victories and record-breaking wins. He is the brother of trainer Harry and assistant trainer Richard and is the son of trainer Robert.
- Robert Skelton: A British horse-racing trainer with over 1,500 wins in his career. He is the father of jockey Dan and trainers Harry and Richard. He was awarded the British Horseracing Board Achievement Award in 2002.
- Harry Skelton: A British Jump jockey and horse trainer. He is the brother of jockey Dan and assistant trainer Richard. Together, they form the Skelton Racing dynasty.
- Kate Skelton: An American actress who has appeared in a handful of films and television series, such as Prive' and "Burn Notice".
- Richard Skelton: A British horse trainer’s assistant and brother of jockey Dan and trainer Harry. He has worked with famous horses such as Bristol De Mai and Black Corton.
- Gary Skelton: A freelance sports journalist and author. He has written books such as The Soccer Syndrome, and The Search for Soccer Heaven.
- Victoria Skelton: A British equestrian and Philanthropist. She has competed in international show jumping events and is a founder of the Royal William Yard Charitable Trust.