NameCensus.

UK surname

Skellett

A surname likely derived from a place name, possibly related to skeletal or skeletal remains.

In the 1881 census there were 88 people recorded with the Skellett surname, ranking it #21,211 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 175, ranked #21,383, down from #21,211 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, Burton-on-Trent and Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Rutland, Broxtowe and South Kesteven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Skellett is 220 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 98.9%.

1881 census count

88

Ranked #21,211

Modern count

175

2016, ranked #21,383

Peak year

1999

220 bearers

Map years

6

1891 to 2016

Key insights

  • Skellett had 88 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #21,211 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 175 in 2016, ranked #21,383.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 176 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Skellett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Skellett surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Skellett 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 98 #17,383
1861 historical 73 #24,492
1881 historical 88 #21,211
1891 historical 155 #17,920
1901 historical 157 #17,577
1911 historical 176 #16,185
1997 modern 208 #17,219
1998 modern 215 #17,306
1999 modern 220 #17,160
2000 modern 210 #17,670
2001 modern 210 #17,425
2002 modern 219 #17,288
2003 modern 203 #17,967
2004 modern 196 #18,438
2005 modern 188 #18,866
2006 modern 183 #19,326
2007 modern 182 #19,618
2008 modern 176 #20,224
2009 modern 180 #20,341
2010 modern 191 #20,015
2011 modern 188 #20,067
2012 modern 190 #19,864
2013 modern 185 #20,575
2014 modern 184 #20,809
2015 modern 179 #21,069
2016 modern 175 #21,383

Geography

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Where Skelletts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, Burton-on-Trent, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, Yaxley and London parishes. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Rutland, Broxtowe, South Kesteven and Amber Valley. 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 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire
3 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
4 Yaxley Northamptonshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Rutland 004 Rutland
2 Broxtowe 001 Broxtowe
3 South Kesteven 015 South Kesteven
4 Amber Valley 001 Amber Valley
5 Amber Valley 003 Amber Valley

Forenames

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First names often paired with Skellett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Skellett

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Skellett, 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

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Skellett surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Skellett household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Skellett is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. 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

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Skellett is most concentrated in decile 9 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

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

9
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Skellett falls in decile 7 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.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Skellett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

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

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Skellett

The surname SKELLETT is believed to have originated in England, likely in the northern regions, sometime during the Middle Ages. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "sceale," meaning a hut or small dwelling, suggesting that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived in a small, humble abode.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SKELLETT can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire from the late 12th century, where a person named William Skellet is mentioned. This suggests that variations of the name had already taken root in this region by that time.

In the 14th century, records show a Robert Skellet residing in the village of Skelton, located in the North Riding of Yorkshire. It is possible that the name may have evolved from this place name or vice versa, as place names and surnames often influenced each other during this era.

The SKELLETT surname has also been linked to the village of Skellerton in Cumbria, which was once known as Skelletun in the 12th century. This further reinforces the connection between the name and the northern regions of England.

Notable individuals bearing the SKELLETT surname throughout history include:

1. Edward Skellett (1623-1692), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Ripon in the late 17th century. 2. John Skellett (1765-1845), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was ultimately promoted to the rank of Admiral. 3. Margaret Skellett (1870-1954), a Scottish writer and artist known for her children's books and illustrations. 4. William Skellett (1892-1963), a Canadian soldier who fought in World War I and received the Military Cross for his bravery on the battlefield. 5. Robert Skellett (1927-2011), a British journalist and author who wrote extensively about history and archaeology.

While the SKELLETT surname may not have been as widespread as some other English surnames, it has a rich history that can be traced back to the northern counties of England, where it likely originated from the Old English word "sceale" and was associated with small dwellings or villages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Skellett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Skellett 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. Northamptonshire leads with 13 Skelletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 16.10x.

County Total Index
Northamptonshire 13 16.10x
Rutland 11 174.60x
Leicestershire 10 10.51x
Cornwall 9 9.26x
Staffordshire 8 2.76x
Lancashire 7 0.69x
Yorkshire 7 0.82x
Gloucestershire 6 3.56x
Lincolnshire 5 3.64x
Surrey 5 1.20x
Middlesex 4 0.47x
Derbyshire 3 2.23x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. St Clement in Cornwall leads with 9 Skelletts recorded in 1881 and an index of 891.09x.

Place Total Index
St Clement 9 891.09x
Barnack 8 4705.88x
Empingham 8 3333.33x
Manchester 7 15.28x
Boxwell With Leighterton 6 8571.43x
Belgrave 5 232.56x
Bermondsey 5 19.57x
Brightside Bierlow 5 29.98x
Leicester St Margaret 5 21.54x
Stamford St George 5 806.45x
Bilston 4 71.30x
Paddington London 4 12.67x
Kings Cliffe 3 789.47x
Stapenhill 3 150.00x
Wolverhampton 3 13.47x
Armley 2 53.33x
South Luffenham 2 2000.00x
Market Overton 1 909.09x
Oundle 1 111.11x
Paston 1 294.12x
Willenhall 1 18.42x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 12
William 12
Charles 5
Thomas 4
Arthur 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Alfred 1
Edward 1
Fred 1
George 1
Henry 1
Herbet 1
James 1

FAQ

Skellett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Skellett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 88 people were recorded with the Skellett surname. That placed it at #21,211 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Skellett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 175 in 2016. That gives Skellett a modern rank of #21,383.

What does the Skellett surname mean?

A surname likely derived from a place name, possibly related to skeletal or skeletal remains.

What does the Skellett map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Skellett 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.