Surname Skinner - Meaning and Origin

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G. Skinner

Skinner: What does the surname Skinner mean?

The surname Skinner is of English occupational origin. It derives from the Old Norse word "Skinn," which means hide or pelt. Skinner was a term given to those who traded or worked with animal skins, particularly in the medieval period. This work could involve removing and preparing the hides, working them into leather goods, or selling them. This surname became popular in England from the 11th century onwards. As families started to adopt hereditary surnames, many chose to use their occupation, resulting in surnames like Skinner. The surname first appears in records in the mid-12th century and has various spelling forms including 'Skynner', 'Skinner', and 'Skener'. It is worth noting that someone bearing the surname Skinner may also descend from someone who was given the surname as a nickname, perhaps because of a habitual use of animal skins in their attire, rather than an indicator of their profession.

Skinner: Where does the name Skinner come from?

The last name Skinner is most commonly found in the United States and in other English-speaking countries, specifically in the United Kingdom. It is also found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. According to the US Census, the last name Skinner is among the top 1,000 most common surnames in the United States, with over 81,000 individuals bearing the name.

The last name is believed to be of English origin and first appears in records during the thirteenth century in the regions of Kent and Sussex. The name is associated with the profession of tanning animal hides, and it means “one who works with hides”.

The history of the Skinner surname in the United States can be traced to the 1600s and 1700s when a number of Skinner families immigrated from England to the colonies. Today, the last name is most popular in the states of Texas, Georgia, Arizona, and Ohio.

Skinner families are found in English-speaking countries all over the world today, making the name Skinner one of the most common last names in existence.

Variations of the surname Skinner

The surname Skinner is believed to have multiple origins, including locations, occupations, and nicknames. It is thought to be derived from a location, as some records indicate that it is linked to a place called Skyne in the county of Devon in England. The spelling used to refer to this location and the resulting surname is 'Skinner'.

The surname also has occupational origins, with it being used as an occupational name for a person who skins animals. In this instance, the spelling of the surname is typically 'Skinner', but it can also be spelled as 'Skynner', 'Schinner', 'Schynner’' and 'Skinar'.

Additional variants of the surname Skinner can be derived from nicknames. 'Schoepper', for example, is believed to originate from the Middle High German and Old German words 'shopper, 'schöpper', or 'schüpper' which mean 'shoemaker' or 'shoer', making it a variant of the surname used to refer to those of the profession who worked with leather. Other variants of the surname known to have originated from nickname origins include 'Skenner', 'Schener' and 'Schaenen'.

Variations in the spelling of the surname can cause different surnames to be formed, with many being related to Skinner. These include the surnames 'Schneider' and 'Schnider'. Schneider is the German spelling of skinner, and is commonly found across German-speaking countries. Similarly, Schnider has its roots in the Germanic language and is found in German-speaking regions.

Overall, the surname Skinner has multiple origins and spellings, with variations being found across England, Germany, and other German-speaking countries.

Famous people with the name Skinner

• B.F. Skinner: An American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher. He was a professor at Harvard University from 1958 until his retirement in 1974.
• Matt Skinner: An Australian professional golfer on the European Tour. He is a two-time winner of the Austrian Open, in 2008 and 2009.
• Sara Skinner: An American singer and songwriter. She is a member of the indie rock band Crushed Out and is signed to the Los Angeles, California-based record label Burger Records.
• Patricia Skinner: A British mezzo-soprano. She has performed in opera, concerts, and operettas.
• Thomas Skinner: An English organist, conductor, and singer. He was a member of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and is director of music at St Mary-le-Tower Church in Ipswich.
• Garry Skinner: An American actor, comedian, and television personality. He is best known for his role on the American sitcom Triple Play.
• Demetrius Skinner: An American basketball player, currently playing for the Lincoln Memorial Railers of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II.
• Cece Skinner: A British fashion designer. She has designed fashionwear for prominent brands, and has her own fashion label.
• Jim Skinner: An American business executive and former CEO of McDonald's Corporation.
• Nick Skinner: A New Zealand musician. He is best known as the singer and founder of the rock band Kora, and has released albums as a solo artist.

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