NameCensus.

UK surname

Skerrett

A locational surname derived from a place name in England.

In the 1881 census there were 180 people recorded with the Skerrett surname, ranking it #13,735 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 302, ranked #14,660, down from #13,735 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Ullingswick, Felton, Kidderminster and Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, South Bucks and Birmingham.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Skerrett is 316 in 2015. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 67.8%.

1881 census count

180

Ranked #13,735

Modern count

302

2016, ranked #14,660

Peak year

2015

316 bearers

Map years

8

1861 to 2016

Key insights

  • Skerrett had 180 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #13,735 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 302 in 2016, ranked #14,660.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 244 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living.

Skerrett surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Skerrett surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Skerrett 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 96 #17,594
1861 historical 122 #18,036
1881 historical 180 #13,735
1891 historical 176 #16,404
1901 historical 244 #13,329
1911 historical 206 #14,677
1997 modern 275 #14,335
1998 modern 296 #13,997
1999 modern 296 #14,081
2000 modern 312 #13,561
2001 modern 300 #13,737
2002 modern 292 #14,236
2003 modern 285 #14,295
2004 modern 289 #14,219
2005 modern 298 #13,895
2006 modern 299 #13,949
2007 modern 288 #14,428
2008 modern 294 #14,327
2009 modern 297 #14,519
2010 modern 305 #14,561
2011 modern 312 #14,230
2012 modern 310 #14,210
2013 modern 312 #14,332
2014 modern 309 #14,533
2015 modern 316 #14,214
2016 modern 302 #14,660

Geography

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Where Skerretts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Ullingswick, Felton, Kidderminster, Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall, Droitwich St Andrew and St Mary, Droitwich St Nicholas, Dodderhill (Dodderhill in Liberties), Malbor and Newcastle-under Lyne. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, South Bucks, Birmingham and Kingston upon Hull. 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 Ullingswick, Felton Herefordshire
2 Kidderminster Worcestershire
3 Stoke-on-Trent, Bucknell-cum-Bagnall, Caverswall Staffordshire
4 Droitwich St Andrew and St Mary, Droitwich St Nicholas, Dodderhill (Dodderhill in Liberties), Malbor Worcestershire
5 Newcastle-under Lyne Staffordshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 103 Leeds
2 South Bucks 002 South Bucks
3 Birmingham 120 Birmingham
4 Birmingham 132 Birmingham
5 Kingston upon Hull 020 Kingston upon Hull, City of

Forenames

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First names often paired with Skerrett

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Skerrett

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

Inner Suburbs and Small Town Living

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

Read profile summary

Group profile

Families with resident dependent children (but not students) are common. Established family groups and White ethnicity predominate, as do individuals born in the UK. They are more likely than the Supergroup average to have been resident in their terraced, semi-detached, or detached houses for more than one year. Levels of multiple car ownership are high. Properties are owned and typically have surplus living space. Associate professionals and administrative occupations are prevalent, and parents are likely to be in middle age or approaching retirement. Educational attainment is above the Supergroup average. Scattered developments and concentrations are found in many small towns.

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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Skerrett is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. 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

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Skerrett is most concentrated in decile 8 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.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Skerrett 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 Skerrett is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

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

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Skerrett

The surname Skerrett originated in the British Isles, specifically in England and Ireland, during the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word "skirr," meaning "bright" or "clear," and the Old English word "hyrde," meaning "herdsman" or "shepherd." The name was likely given to someone who tended livestock in a meadow or bright, open field.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Skerrett can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Scirret." This suggests that the name was already in use by the time of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

In the 13th century, a William Skerrett was recorded as a landowner in the county of Somerset, England. This indicates that the family had established itself and gained a certain degree of prominence by that time.

The name Skerrett has also been associated with various place names throughout the British Isles, such as Skerrett's Park in County Kildare, Ireland, and Skerrett's Hill in Somerset, England. These place names likely emerged from individuals bearing the surname Skerrett who owned or resided in those areas.

One notable bearer of the Skerrett surname was Sir John Skerrett (1593-1668), an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset during the reign of King Charles I. He played a significant role in the English Civil War, initially supporting the Royalist cause but later switching sides to support the Parliamentarians.

Another prominent figure with the surname Skerrett was Sir Thomas Skerrett (1801-1886), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. He achieved the rank of Admiral and was knighted for his distinguished service.

In the 18th century, a John Skerrett (1745-1820) was a prominent merchant and landowner in County Cork, Ireland. He was known for his extensive business dealings and his involvement in local politics.

The Skerrett family also had a notable presence in Scotland, where a William Skerrett (1760-1842) was a successful banker and philanthropist in Edinburgh. He was instrumental in establishing several charitable institutions in the city.

Another Scottish bearer of the surname was Sir Alexander Skerrett (1818-1892), a prominent lawyer and judge who served as Lord Advocate, the highest legal officer in Scotland, from 1876 to 1880.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Skerrett families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Skerrett 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. Worcestershire leads with 26 Skerretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 11.60x.

County Total Index
Worcestershire 26 11.60x
Yorkshire 20 1.18x
Middlesex 16 0.93x
Herefordshire 15 21.31x
Cheshire 13 3.43x
Lancashire 13 0.64x
Nottinghamshire 13 5.62x
Lincolnshire 11 4.01x
Staffordshire 9 1.55x
Suffolk 9 4.30x
Devon 6 1.68x
Derbyshire 5 1.86x
Glamorgan 5 1.67x
Norfolk 4 1.52x
Sussex 4 1.38x
Gloucestershire 2 0.59x
Essex 1 0.30x
Lanarkshire 1 0.18x
Leicestershire 1 0.53x
Rutland 1 7.94x
Surrey 1 0.12x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Ullingswick in Herefordshire leads with 13 Skerretts recorded in 1881 and an index of 7647.06x.

Place Total Index
Ullingswick 13 7647.06x
Bury 8 34.38x
Ipswich St Helen 8 322.58x
Birkenhead 7 23.17x
Chelsea London 7 13.53x
Kings Norton 7 34.83x
Newcastle Under Lyme 7 68.29x
Hawes 6 540.54x
St Pancras London 6 4.34x
West Deeping 6 3529.41x
Droitwich St Peter 5 1000.00x
Great Witley 5 2272.73x
Hunslet 5 18.85x
Leeds 5 5.21x
Ripley 5 150.60x
Roath 5 36.82x
Tenbury 5 406.50x
Kidderminster Borough 4 30.49x
North Collingham 4 727.27x
Nottingham St Nicholas 4 126.98x
Stoke Damerel 4 15.99x
Wadhurst 4 210.53x
Nottingham St Peter 3 116.28x
St Peterin Eastgate 3 352.94x
Arnold 2 59.17x
Bristol St George 2 12.85x
Corpusty 2 909.09x
Edgefield 2 714.29x
Keighley 2 11.03x
Manchester 2 2.18x
Monks Coppenhall 2 13.99x
Tormoham 2 13.23x
Barton Upon Irwell 1 6.52x
Colchester St Giles 1 29.85x
Edleston 1 2000.00x
Govan 1 0.73x
Harborne 1 5.39x
Hereford St Peter 1 53.19x
Lambeth 1 0.67x
Leicester St Margaret 1 2.15x
Lowestoft 1 10.12x
Morcott 1 357.14x
Newton In Northwich 1 86.96x
North Kyme 1 243.90x
Openshaw 1 10.48x
Reedness 1 344.83x
Salford 1 1.67x
Sandbach 1 30.96x
Sheffield 1 1.85x
St Margaret Lincoln 1 400.00x
St Marylebone London 1 1.09x
St Nicholas Olave 1 5000.00x
Stoke Upon Trent 1 1.63x
Tabley Inferior 1 1428.57x
Westminster St James 1 5.67x
Winslow 1 416.67x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Elizabeth 9
Mary 9
Sarah 9
Eliza 5
Ann 4
Ellen 4
Edith 3
Emily 2
Emma 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Henrietta 2
Jane 2
Jessie 2
Kate 2
Louisa 2
Martha 2
Agnes 1
Amy 1
Annie 1
Bertha 1
Catherine 1
Charlotte 1
Clara 1
Elizath. 1
Evelyn 1
Fanny 1
Harriett 1
Helena 1
Lavinia 1
Leonora 1
Love 1
Lucy 1
Matilda 1
May 1
Norah 1
Pemula 1
Rose 1
Roza 1
Ruth 1
Susan 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 16
James 9
Henry 7
John 7
Thomas 5
Charles 4
George 4
Francis 3
Alfred 2
Arthur 2
Edward 2
Fredrick 2
Harry 2
Joseph 2
Percy 2
Richard 2
Robert 2
Abraham 1
Albert 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Geoffrey 1
Herbert 1
Maria 1
Phillip 1
Saml. 1
Samuel 1
Thos. 1
Thos.W. 1
Tom 1
Walter 1

FAQ

Skerrett surname: questions and answers

How common was the Skerrett surname in 1881?

In 1881, 180 people were recorded with the Skerrett surname. That placed it at #13,735 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Skerrett surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 302 in 2016. That gives Skerrett a modern rank of #14,660.

What does the Skerrett surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place name in England.

What does the Skerrett map show?

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