NameCensus.

UK surname

Skeggs

A surname derived from a Middle English word meaning long, thin legs.

In the 1881 census there were 429 people recorded with the Skeggs surname, ranking it #7,578 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 604, ranked #8,674, down from #7,578 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton and St John Hackney. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include North Hertfordshire, Powys and Cambridge.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Skeggs is 701 in 2000. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 40.8%.

1881 census count

429

Ranked #7,578

Modern count

604

2016, ranked #8,674

Peak year

2000

701 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Skeggs had 429 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,578 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 604 in 2016, ranked #8,674.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 665 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Skeggs surname distribution map

The map shows where the Skeggs surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Skeggs surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Skeggs over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 235 #9,206
1861 historical 233 #10,501
1881 historical 429 #7,578
1891 historical 454 #8,026
1901 historical 640 #6,725
1911 historical 665 #6,323
1997 modern 684 #7,373
1998 modern 681 #7,638
1999 modern 694 #7,567
2000 modern 701 #7,485
2001 modern 690 #7,452
2002 modern 681 #7,677
2003 modern 674 #7,621
2004 modern 684 #7,544
2005 modern 646 #7,807
2006 modern 646 #7,844
2007 modern 636 #8,009
2008 modern 640 #8,007
2009 modern 651 #8,057
2010 modern 661 #8,133
2011 modern 665 #8,014
2012 modern 632 #8,256
2013 modern 625 #8,464
2014 modern 619 #8,588
2015 modern 607 #8,659
2016 modern 604 #8,674

Geography

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Where Skeggs' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton, St John Hackney, Datchworth, Knebworth, Aston, Bennington, Watton and Tottenham. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to North Hertfordshire, Powys, Cambridge and East Cambridgeshire. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 Baldock, Willian, Weston, Clothall, Bygrave, Norton Hertfordshire
3 St John Hackney London (North Districts)
4 Datchworth, Knebworth, Aston, Bennington, Watton Hertfordshire
5 Tottenham Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 North Hertfordshire 014 North Hertfordshire
2 North Hertfordshire 015 North Hertfordshire
3 Powys 001 Powys
4 Cambridge 010 Cambridge
5 East Cambridgeshire 005 East Cambridgeshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Skeggs

These lists show first names that appear often with the Skeggs surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Skeggs

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Skeggs, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Baseline UK

Group

Challenged Communities

Nationally, the Skeggs surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Skeggs household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Residents of these neighbourhoods typically live in households with dependent children, and there are fewer-than-average residents of normal retirement age or over. Identification with ethnic minorities, particularly Black, or Mixed or Multiple ethnicities is common. The rate of Christian religious affiliation is low. Housing predominantly consists of semi-detached houses, along with a significant number of terraced properties and flats. Overcrowded social housing is common, and private renting occurs at average UK levels. Those in employment work mainly in caring leisure and other services; process, plant and machine operation; or elementary occupations. Unemployment is high, and few individuals have degree level qualifications. Many of these neighbourhoods occur in commuter towns or less accessible areas of larger towns and cities.

Wider pattern

This Supergroup exemplifies the broad base to the UK’s social structure, encompassing as it does the average or modal levels of many neighbourhood characteristics, including all housing tenures, a range of levels of educational attainment and religious affiliations, and a variety of pre-retirement age structures. Yet, in combination, these mixes are each distinctive of the parts of the UK. Overall, terraced houses and flats are the most prevalent, as is employment in intermediate or low-skilled occupations. However, this Supergroup is also characterised by above average levels of unemployment and lower levels of use of English as the main language. Many neighbourhoods occur in south London and the UK’s other major urban centres.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Skeggs is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins, part of Young Families and Mainstream Employment. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Scattered across London’s Inner and Outer suburbs, residents of these neighbourhoods are typically housed in the social rented sector. Although terraced and semi-detached houses predominate, more residents live in flats than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Neighbourhoods are more ethnically diverse than the Supergroup average. Those identifying as of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and some Black ethnicities are more prevalent. Europeans born in a overseas non-EU countries make up more of the lower proportion of residents identifying as White. Few residents are very old (85+). Employment in distribution, hotels and restaurants is more common than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Many families in these neighbourhoods have young children. Housing is principally in the social rented sector, in terraced or semi-detached units. While over-all residential densities are low, overcrowding is also prevalent locally. Residents are drawn from a range of ethnic minorities, with many identifying as Black and above average numbers born in Africa. Numbers identifying as of Chinese, Indian or White ethnicity are below average. Levels of proficiency in English are below average. Levels of separation or divorce and incidence of disability are both above average. Education is typically limited to Level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. Few residents work in professional or managerial occupations but the employment structure is otherwise diverse: it includes skilled trades, caring, leisure and other service occupations, sales and customer service occupations, construction, and work as process, plant, and machine operatives.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Skeggs is most concentrated in decile 6 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

6
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Skeggs falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Skeggs is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Skeggs, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Skeggs

The surname Skeggs originated in England, likely deriving from the Old Norse influence on the English language during the Viking period, roughly around the 9th to 11th centuries. The name appears to have roots in the Old Norse word "skegg," meaning beard, which might suggest that the original bearers of the name were either notable for having beards or perhaps engaged in occupations where beards were common.

Geographically, the name Skeggs is believed to have emerged in the eastern parts of England where Norse settlements were prevalent, particularly in regions such as East Anglia and Lincolnshire. The Domesday Book of 1086, a manuscript record created by order of William the Conqueror, does not explicitly list the name Skeggs, but names derived from similar Old Norse roots are present, underscoring the Scandinavian influence in those regions.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the surname in historical documentation is from the 13th century when a Richard Skeg appears in the Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire in 1279. The evolution of surnames during that time often saw variations in spelling. Thus, the progression from Skeg to Skeggs is plausible as the need for distinguishing between individuals with the same first name arose, leading to the addition of the patronymic "s" to indicate "son of Skeg."

John Skeggs, born circa 1575, is a historically significant bearer of the name. He was a landowner in Norfolk, and records from the early 17th century indicate he was involved in local affairs, which implies that the Skeggs family had by then established a certain degree of social standing.

During the 18th century, another notable individual, Thomas Skeggs, born in 1720, is referenced in multiple legal and parish records in London. He was a merchant and an early practitioner of trade between Britain and its colonies, making the Skeggs name known beyond the local regions.

The literary world saw a representation of the name through William Skeggs, born in 1814, who was a writer and journalist known for his critical essays and contributions to various London periodicals in the mid-19th century. His works were influential in shaping public opinion on social issues of his time.

Another individual of historical note is Alice Skeggs, born in 1851, who was a pioneering female educator in the late 19th century. She established one of the first girls' schools in her hometown of Suffolk, advocating for women’s education and empowerment during an era when such pursuits were often discouraged.

Finally, the name Skeggs also has a connection to the arts through Geoffrey Skeggs, born in 1887. He was a notable painter affiliated with the British impressionist movement and exhibited his works in several prestigious galleries throughout his lifetime, contributing to the cultural tapestry of the early 20th century.

Overall, the surname Skeggs has a rich history rooted in the medieval Norse influence on England, with variations and notable bearers appearing over the centuries in legal, societal, literary, and artistic contexts.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Skeggs families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Skeggs surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 178 Skeggs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 4.25x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 178 4.25x
Hertfordshire 149 51.66x
Essex 30 3.63x
Surrey 25 1.23x
Cambridgeshire 11 4.15x
Devon 7 0.80x
Kent 6 0.42x
Lincolnshire 3 0.45x
Channel Islands 2 1.61x
Lancashire 2 0.04x
Oxfordshire 2 0.77x
Shropshire 2 0.55x
Sussex 2 0.28x
Warwickshire 2 0.19x
Dorset 1 0.36x
Gloucestershire 1 0.12x
Hampshire 1 0.12x
Midlothian 1 0.18x
Norfolk 1 0.16x
Northamptonshire 1 0.25x
Royal Navy 1 2.01x
Yorkshire 1 0.02x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bethnal Green London in Middlesex leads with 24 Skeggs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.20x.

Place Total Index
Bethnal Green London 24 13.20x
Islington London 19 4.68x
Tottenham 18 27.01x
Hatfield 14 239.32x
Flamstead 13 488.72x
Codicote 12 697.67x
Hornsey 12 22.68x
Cheshunt 11 109.13x
Hackney London 11 4.69x
Knebworth 11 2972.97x
Widford 11 1506.85x
Barking 10 41.37x
Camberwell 10 3.74x
Clerkenwell London 10 10.12x
Sandon 10 917.43x
St Marylebone London 9 4.03x
Acton 8 32.61x
Brentwood 8 158.73x
Hertford St John 8 186.05x
Shoreditch London 8 4.41x
Chipping Barnet 7 636.36x
Datchworth 7 777.78x
Hampstead London 7 10.74x
St Luke London 7 10.43x
Stoke Damerel 7 11.48x
Wanstead 7 48.38x
Watton 7 593.22x
Whittlesey St Mary St 7 75.59x
St Albans St Michael 6 186.34x
St Pancras London 6 1.78x
Bengeo 5 149.25x
Bromley London 5 5.43x
Anstey 4 701.75x
Bow London 4 7.51x
Edmonton 4 11.86x
Godalming 4 31.15x
Mile End Old Town 4 6.06x
North Mimms 4 219.78x
Tewin 4 526.32x
Wisbech St Peter 4 30.10x
Limehouse London 3 6.53x
Putney 3 15.73x
St Albans St Peter 3 30.83x
Welwyn 3 120.00x
Bramfield 2 555.56x
Chelmsford 2 14.11x
Coventry St Michael 2 5.90x
Cowley 2 24.78x
Enfield 2 7.28x
Greenwich 2 3.00x
Hertford St Andrew 2 56.18x
Hougham 2 23.56x
Layston 2 129.87x
Leyton Low 2 11.91x
Pendleton In Salford 2 3.38x
Poplar London 2 2.53x
South Mimms 2 34.84x
Spittlegate 2 21.62x
St Margaret New Fish 2 1333.33x
St Peter Port 2 8.72x
Standon 2 67.34x
Stapleford 2 689.66x
Sutton 2 13.56x
Wheathampstead 2 60.06x
Willesden 2 5.07x
Wistanstow Cheney 2 952.38x
Aston 1 121.95x
Battersea 1 0.65x
Broadwater 1 6.18x
Clapham 1 1.91x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 1 0.44x
Hertford All Saints 1 62.11x
Lambeth 1 0.27x
Peterborough 1 3.51x
Pontefract 1 11.20x
Romford 1 7.66x
Royal Navy 1 2.35x
St Ethelburga London 1 344.83x
Streatham 1 3.22x
Ware 1 12.09x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Skeggs surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Skeggs surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 24
George 22
James 22
Henry 15
John 14
Joseph 13
Charles 12
Thomas 12
Edward 10
Alfred 7
Frederick 6
Samuel 6
Walter 6
Arthur 5
Robert 3
Albert 2
Richard 2
Wm. 2
Abraham 1
Alexander 1
Archibald 1
Benjamin 1
Christopher 1
David 1
Ernest 1
Francis 1
Frank 1
Geo.Alfd. 1
Geo.Wm. 1
Georg. 1
H. 1
Harry 1
Infant 1
Jas. 1
Jesse 1
Leonard 1
Shadrack 1
Stanley 1
Sydney 1
Thos. 1
Willm.James 1
Willm.Ths. 1

FAQ

Skeggs surname: questions and answers

How common was the Skeggs surname in 1881?

In 1881, 429 people were recorded with the Skeggs surname. That placed it at #7,578 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Skeggs surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 604 in 2016. That gives Skeggs a modern rank of #8,674.

What does the Skeggs surname mean?

A surname derived from a Middle English word meaning long, thin legs.

What does the Skeggs map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Skeggs bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.