NameCensus.

UK surname

Skerritt

An anglicized variant of Irish surnames derived from the Gaelic words "scoraich" meaning "to rise up" or "to ascend".

In the 1881 census there were 286 people recorded with the Skerritt surname, ranking it #10,036 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 636, ranked #8,321, up from #10,036 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to King's Lynn St Margaret, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Melton and King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Skerritt is 680 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 122.4%.

1881 census count

286

Ranked #10,036

Modern count

636

2016, ranked #8,321

Peak year

2010

680 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Skerritt had 286 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,036 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 636 in 2016, ranked #8,321.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 468 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Skerritt surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Skerritt surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Skerritt 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 203 #10,291
1861 historical 125 #17,678
1881 historical 286 #10,036
1891 historical 391 #9,044
1901 historical 436 #8,907
1911 historical 468 #8,247
1997 modern 615 #8,008
1998 modern 635 #8,050
1999 modern 654 #7,914
2000 modern 662 #7,826
2001 modern 656 #7,744
2002 modern 666 #7,805
2003 modern 629 #8,020
2004 modern 627 #8,061
2005 modern 615 #8,113
2006 modern 614 #8,140
2007 modern 640 #7,962
2008 modern 629 #8,112
2009 modern 649 #8,085
2010 modern 680 #7,956
2011 modern 667 #7,995
2012 modern 645 #8,120
2013 modern 650 #8,226
2014 modern 646 #8,299
2015 modern 636 #8,338
2016 modern 636 #8,321

Geography

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Where Skerritts are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around King's Lynn St Margaret, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard, London parishes, Manchester and Nottingham St Mary. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Melton and King's Lynn and West Norfolk. 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 King's Lynn St Margaret Norfolk
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Manchester Lancashire
5 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Melton 004 Melton
2 Melton 005 Melton
3 Melton 002 Melton
4 King's Lynn and West Norfolk 005 King's Lynn and West Norfolk
5 Melton 001 Melton

Forenames

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First names often paired with Skerritt

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Skerritt

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

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Skerritt surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Skerritt 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 is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Young Families and Mainstream Employment

Group

Social Rented Sector and Diverse Origins

Within London, Skerritt 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

Skerritt is most concentrated in decile 10 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.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Skerritt falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

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

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Skerritt 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 Skerritt, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Skerritt

The surname Skerritt originated in England, tracing its roots back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words "scearra" and "hythe," which collectively translate to "scarred haven" or "rocky landing place." This suggests that the name may have initially been applied to someone who lived near a distinctive coastal feature or a harbor with unique geological formations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Skerritt name appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire from 1297, where it is spelled as "Skerith." This variation in spelling was common during that era, as naming conventions were not standardized until much later. The name also appeared in various other historical records, such as the Pipe Rolls of Nottinghamshire from 1332, where it was written as "Skerryt."

In the 15th century, the surname Skerritt was associated with several notable individuals. One such person was John Skerritt, a merchant and landowner from Lincolnshire, who was mentioned in the Court Rolls of 1472. Another individual of note was William Skerritt, a clergyman who served as the vicar of St. Mary's Church in Nottingham from 1487 until his death in 1513.

As the centuries passed, the Skerritt name continued to appear in various historical records and documents. In the 16th century, there was a Thomas Skerritt, a farmer from Yorkshire, who was mentioned in the Lay Subsidy Rolls of 1545. Additionally, the Skerritt family had a presence in the county of Derbyshire, where a Richard Skerritt was recorded as a landowner in the Hearth Tax Returns of 1674.

Moving into the 17th and 18th centuries, the Skerritt name gained further prominence. One notable figure was Captain John Skerritt, a British naval officer who served during the Seven Years' War and is recorded as having participated in the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759. Another individual of note was Elizabeth Skerritt, who was born in 1698 in Staffordshire and is considered one of the earliest known female authors and poets from that region.

During the 19th century, the Skerritt name continued to be represented in various walks of life. One example is William Skerritt, a successful merchant and philanthropist from Liverpool, who was born in 1812 and made significant contributions to the city's charitable institutions. Additionally, there was a Thomas Skerritt, born in 1845 in Derbyshire, who became a renowned architect and designed several notable buildings in the region.

Throughout its long history, the surname Skerritt has been associated with individuals from diverse backgrounds and professions, reflecting the rich tapestry of English heritage and the enduring legacy of this ancient name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Skerritt families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Skerritt 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. Lincolnshire leads with 59 Skerritts recorded in 1881 and an index of 13.23x.

County Total Index
Lincolnshire 59 13.23x
Norfolk 31 7.23x
Nottinghamshire 29 7.71x
Middlesex 27 0.97x
Lancashire 25 0.76x
Leicestershire 21 6.79x
Surrey 20 1.47x
Yorkshire 20 0.72x
Derbyshire 13 2.98x
Northamptonshire 8 3.05x
Staffordshire 8 0.85x
Gloucestershire 6 1.10x
Warwickshire 4 0.57x
Berkshire 3 1.43x
Glamorgan 3 0.62x
Somerset 3 0.67x
Essex 2 0.36x
Buckinghamshire 1 0.59x
Devon 1 0.17x
Kent 1 0.11x
Lanarkshire 1 0.11x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Leicester St Margaret in Leicestershire leads with 13 Skerritts recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.23x.

Place Total Index
Leicester St Margaret 13 17.23x
South Lynn 13 268.60x
Spittlegate 13 210.70x
Grantham 10 172.12x
Hulme 10 14.47x
Manchester 10 6.72x
Cheadle 8 176.99x
East Dereham 8 147.60x
Scarning 8 1250.00x
Arnold 7 127.50x
Hampstead London 7 16.11x
Helpringham 7 777.78x
Nottingham St Mary 7 7.20x
Clapham 6 17.21x
Melton Mowbray 6 107.91x
Woolsthorpe 6 1052.63x
Battersea 5 4.87x
Hackney London 5 3.20x
Heanor 5 76.57x
Irthlingborough 5 194.55x
North Collingham 5 561.80x
Snenton 5 33.85x
Southcoates 5 32.57x
Birmingham 4 1.71x
Howden 4 212.77x
Quadring 4 465.12x
Sheffield 4 4.54x
Stoke Newington London 4 18.41x
Tealby 4 634.92x
Barrowby 3 389.61x
Bermondsey 3 3.61x
Bristol St Philip Jacob 3 5.82x
Bury 3 7.93x
Camberwell 3 1.68x
Chelsea London 3 3.57x
Clifton 3 10.85x
Derby St Alkmund 3 22.92x
Little Harrowden 3 379.75x
Llandaff 3 18.56x
Manthorpe Cum Little 3 87.98x
Paulton 3 145.63x
Wilford 3 283.02x
Willesden 3 11.41x
Wokingham 3 62.76x
Belper 2 23.61x
Bradford 2 2.99x
Brightside Bierlow 2 3.69x
Castle Donnington 2 78.13x
Deeping St James 2 126.58x
Denton 2 27.25x
Garrison Side 2 1250.00x
Hornsey 2 5.67x
Kelby 2 2222.22x
Mitcham 2 23.28x
Ripley 2 37.04x
Spalding 2 22.60x
Upper Broughton 2 645.16x
Westminster St James 2 6.97x
Boston 1 7.39x
Chalfont St Peter 1 71.94x
Chigwell 1 19.23x
Devonport 1 14.99x
Eltham 1 17.92x
Glasgow 1 0.62x
Haydor 1 285.71x
Kings Lynn St Margaret 1 7.76x
Lambeth 1 0.41x
Long Eaton 1 17.36x
Skirbeck Quarter 1 121.95x
St Marylebone London 1 0.67x
Stow Bardolph 1 78.13x
Upper Hallam 1 41.67x
Witham 1 35.21x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 23
William 13
George 11
Thomas 9
James 8
Henry 6
Robert 6
Alfred 5
Charles 5
Frederick 4
Matthew 3
Samuel 3
Walter 3
Arthur 2
David 2
Edward 2
Frank 2
Harry 2
Luke 2
Wm. 2
Abraham 1
Ambrose 1
Bernard 1
Edin 1
Edwin 1
Fergus 1
Francis 1
Isaac 1
Jno. 1
Job 1
Joseph 1
Mark 1
Oliver 1
Richard 1
Robt. 1
Sam 1
Saml. 1
Stephen 1
Swenc 1
Thos 1
Tom 1
Wallace 1
West 1
Willie 1

FAQ

Skerritt surname: questions and answers

How common was the Skerritt surname in 1881?

In 1881, 286 people were recorded with the Skerritt surname. That placed it at #10,036 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Skerritt surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 636 in 2016. That gives Skerritt a modern rank of #8,321.

What does the Skerritt surname mean?

An anglicized variant of Irish surnames derived from the Gaelic words "scoraich" meaning "to rise up" or "to ascend".

What does the Skerritt map show?

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