Surname Skiper - Meaning and Origin
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Skiper: What does the surname Skiper mean?
The last name Skiper is an English surname of unknown origin. It could be derived from the Middle English word skiper, a nickname for a sailor or boatman, a variant of the word skipjack or skipper. It could also be an occupational name derived from Old Norse, referring to a skipper of a sailing vessel. Alternately, the name could be derived from a place name, such as Skepperston in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Skiper has also been used as a baptismal name or given name, primarily for children of Danish descent. It could also be a spelling variation of Skippen, a Scandinavian last name derived from the Old Norse skopa, meaning to trim or clip.
In spite of its unknown origin, the name Skiper has been used regularly throughout the centuries. Today, it is quite common in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and other English-speaking countries. It is likely that most people bearing the name Skiper are descended from an ancestral immigrant who arrived in the Anglophone world sometime during the 17th or 18th century.
Order DNA origin analysisSkiper: Where does the name Skiper come from?
The surname Skiper is quite uncommon today, but it does appear in numerous countries around the world. This includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Ireland, France, South Africa, and the Netherlands.
Skiper is likely a variant of the surname Skipper, which is a common English and Dutch surname. It is thought to have originated from an occupation such as a ship captain or boatman, or from the Dutch skipper, meaning cherub.
In the United States, it is most common in Texas, followed by California, North and South Carolina, New York, Oklahoma, Florida, and Michigan.
In the United Kingdom, it appears most frequently in England, particularly around London and Manchester, followed by Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In Canada, the surname is most frequently seen in Ontario, followed by Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.
In Germany, the surname primarily appears around Berlin and other large cities, particularly in the north of the country.
It appears in France primarily around the Paris area.
In South Africa, the surname is most frequently seen in Limpopo Province.
Finally, in the Netherlands, the surname is most common around the Randstad area.
Variations of the surname Skiper
The surname Skiper is of Scandinavian origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. Its variants include Skepper, Skeppar, Skeppare, Skeppare, Skepper, Skipper, Skipar, Skipper, Skipper, Skipar, Skipare, Skipper, Skippare, Skeppare, Skeppar and Skoppar.
Skeppar is the most common spelling of the name and variants are derived from the old Scandinavian word “skippera”, which was used as a term of endearment for a sailor. The first recorded use of this name in Scandinavia is from the 13th century and it can be traced back to Old Norse.
Skipper can also sometimes refer to a master of a ship, sometimes with the title of “skipper of the ship”. The title of “skipper” was often adopted as a surname in Scandinavia, with some spelling variations.
The name is also linked to the countryside in some instances. The verb “skop” in Old Norse meant “to keep” or “to guard”. Therefore, some instances of Skiper may be derived from someone who was a “guard of the fields” or a “guardian of the countryside”.
Surnames related to the Skiper surname are Speir, Spear, Spier, Spyer, Spires, Speer, Speers, Spoer and Scear. Additionally, variants of the name in other languages include Sküpfer (German), Schepper (Flemish), Skampeser (Danish) and Schipper (Dutch).
Famous people with the name Skiper
- Olivia Skiper: An Australian actress and writer best known for her comedy roles in television series and films, including Kindred, For Randy and Hamish & Andy's Gap Year South America.
- Andy Skipper: An English rugby union footballer who plays for the Exeter Chiefs in the English Premiership.
- Eric Skiper: An American football player who played wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills from 1961 to 1971.
- Joanne Skiper: An American vocalist and keyboardist, best known for her recordings with the 1980s rock group the Other Ones.
- David Skiper: An Australian former professional footballer who played for A-League teams Perth Glory and Sydney FC.
- Edward Skiper: An American venture investor and former venture capitalist. He is the managing partner of Skiper Capital Partners, a venture capital and private equity firm.
- Monica Skiper: An American voice actress who is best known for her work with 4Kids Entertainment and FUNImation Entertainment.
- David L. Skipper: An American academic administrator who served as the seventh president of East Carolina University.
- Stephen Skiper: An American news anchor, television and radio talk show host, and producer based in Northern California.
- Kristina Skiper: An American architectural designer who has been creating projects for clients in the San Francisco Bay Area for over fifteen years.