NameCensus.

UK surname

Skevington

A habitational name denoting someone from a place called Skevington.

In the 1881 census there were 282 people recorded with the Skevington surname, ranking it #10,148 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 305, ranked #14,576, down from #10,148 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Turvey, Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Amber Valley, Wakefield and South Hams.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Skevington is 434 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 8.2%.

1881 census count

282

Ranked #10,148

Modern count

305

2016, ranked #14,576

Peak year

1901

434 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Skevington had 282 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,148 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 305 in 2016, ranked #14,576.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 434 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Skevington surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Skevington surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Skevington 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 212 #9,965
1861 historical 177 #13,265
1881 historical 282 #10,148
1891 historical 328 #10,348
1901 historical 434 #8,940
1911 historical 423 #8,924
1997 modern 336 #12,549
1998 modern 350 #12,537
1999 modern 344 #12,776
2000 modern 339 #12,857
2001 modern 333 #12,817
2002 modern 332 #13,090
2003 modern 318 #13,291
2004 modern 323 #13,230
2005 modern 303 #13,757
2006 modern 306 #13,724
2007 modern 319 #13,474
2008 modern 322 #13,487
2009 modern 329 #13,548
2010 modern 323 #14,005
2011 modern 316 #14,092
2012 modern 318 #13,926
2013 modern 308 #14,482
2014 modern 314 #14,371
2015 modern 306 #14,536
2016 modern 305 #14,576

Geography

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Where Skevingtons are most common

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

The modern local-area list points to Amber Valley, Wakefield, South Hams, Nottingham and Gedling. 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 Turvey Bedfordshire
2 Lenton, Radford, Papplewick, Nuthall, Greasley, Brewhouse Yard Nottinghamshire
3 London parishes London 3
4 Nottingham St Mary Nottinghamshire
5 Ilkeston Nottinghamshire

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Amber Valley 006 Amber Valley
2 Wakefield 026 Wakefield
3 South Hams 004 South Hams
4 Nottingham 016 Nottingham
5 Gedling 015 Gedling

Forenames

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First names often paired with Skevington

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Skevington

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Skevington, 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 Skevington surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Skevington 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

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Skevington is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction 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

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

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

Skevington 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

Skevington falls in decile 10 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

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

10
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

Meaning and origin of Skevington

The surname Skevington has its origins in England, tracing back to the medieval period. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English word "sceafa," which means "sheaf" or "bundle of grain." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who worked with or dealt in sheaves of grain, such as a farmer or a thresher.

The name is also closely tied to the village of Skevington in Leicestershire, England. It is thought that the name may have originated from this particular location, with early bearers taking the name to identify themselves as being from Skevington. Records indicate that the name was spelled in various ways throughout history, including Skevyngton, Skevynton, and Skeventon.

One of the earliest known references to the name Skevington can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership and taxation commissioned by William the Conqueror. This record suggests that the name had already been established by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, a prominent individual named John de Skevington was recorded as holding land in Leicestershire. This early record provides further evidence of the name's longstanding association with the region.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, several individuals bearing the Skevington name held positions of note. In 1349, a Thomas Skevington was appointed as the Rector of Hinckley in Leicestershire. Additionally, a William Skevington served as the Mayor of Leicester in 1469.

Moving into the 16th century, a noteworthy figure named Thomas Skevington (1497-1533) gained recognition as a Catholic martyr. He was executed in 1533 for refusing to acknowledge King Henry VIII as the supreme head of the Church of England.

Another prominent individual with the Skevington surname was Sir William Skevington (1556-1628), who served as a member of Parliament and held the position of Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire.

As the centuries progressed, the Skevington name continued to be found in various regions of England, with individuals bearing the name contributing to various fields, including politics, religion, and local governance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Skevington families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Skevington 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. Nottinghamshire leads with 58 Skevingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.81x.

County Total Index
Nottinghamshire 58 15.81x
Northamptonshire 40 15.63x
Bedfordshire 39 27.68x
Derbyshire 37 8.68x
Middlesex 27 0.99x
Surrey 21 1.58x
Kent 14 1.51x
Leicestershire 11 3.65x
Buckinghamshire 8 4.86x
Somerset 8 1.83x
Warwickshire 8 1.17x
Lanarkshire 2 0.23x
Lancashire 2 0.06x
Lincolnshire 2 0.46x
Yorkshire 2 0.07x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Nottingham St Mary in Nottinghamshire leads with 50 Skevingtons recorded in 1881 and an index of 52.70x.

Place Total Index
Nottingham St Mary 50 52.70x
Bermondsey 19 23.45x
Turvey 17 1910.11x
Bozeat 16 1441.44x
Carlton 12 2727.27x
Ilkeston 10 83.68x
Wellingborough 10 77.70x
Wrotham 10 324.68x
Derby St Werburgh 9 36.59x
Islington London 9 3.41x
Rushden 9 263.16x
St Pancras London 9 4.11x
Aston 8 4.23x
Olney 8 352.42x
Bedford St Mary 7 192.84x
Leicester St Mary 7 28.71x
Bathwick 6 123.71x
Brampton 5 83.89x
Clerkenwell London 5 7.78x
Derby St Peter 5 36.85x
Lewisham 4 8.08x
Litchurch 4 23.32x
Northampton St Sepulchre 4 30.72x
Lenton 3 34.72x
Loughborough 3 21.91x
Barony 2 0.90x
Basford 2 11.83x
Chellington 2 2222.22x
Heanor 2 31.40x
Kirton In Lindsey 2 116.28x
Lambeth 2 0.84x
Morley 2 769.23x
Radford 2 10.73x
Shipley 2 14.29x
Shoreditch London 2 1.70x
Westminster St James 2 7.15x
Bedford St Paul 1 10.34x
Heaton Norris 1 5.44x
North Meols 1 3.16x
Northampton St Giles 1 10.26x
Nottingham St Peter 1 24.45x
Thurcaston 1 476.19x
Walcot 1 4.29x
Wells St Cuthbert Out 1 28.33x

Top female names

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

Name Count
Mary 20
Elizabeth 12
Sarah 6
Edith 5
Eliza 5
Emma 5
Louisa 5
Martha 5
Alice 4
Anne 4
Annie 4
Ann 3
Ellen 3
Harriett 3
Bertha 2
Charlotte 2
Florence 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Lucy 2
Matilda 2
Nancy 2
Susan 2
Susannah 2
Allison 1
Amelia 1
Amy 1
Eleanor 1
Emily 1
Fanny 1
Felicia 1
Frazer 1
Georgina 1
Gertde. 1
Gerty 1
Jane 1
Jennie 1
Jessie 1
Julia 1
Kate 1
Katie 1
Kezia 1
Lavenia 1
Lawne 1
Lillie 1
Lilly 1
Lizzie 1
Maria 1
Maude 1
Winifred 1

Top male names

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

Name Count
William 15
John 13
Thomas 11
Alfred 8
Arthur 7
Charles 7
Henry 6
James 6
Edward 5
Samuel 5
George 4
Albert 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Harry 3
Robert 3
Edwin 2
Jno. 2
Saml. 2
Sydney 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Alfd. 1
Algernon 1
Arther 1
Augustus 1
Cornelius 1
David 1
Dexter 1
Ernest 1
Fredc. 1
Harold 1
Herbert 1
Hugh 1
Ishmael 1
Joshua 1
Louis 1
Robt. 1
Saml.Jas. 1
Solomon 1
Tom 1
Tyvall 1
Vernon 1

FAQ

Skevington surname: questions and answers

How common was the Skevington surname in 1881?

In 1881, 282 people were recorded with the Skevington surname. That placed it at #10,148 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Skevington surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 305 in 2016. That gives Skevington a modern rank of #14,576.

What does the Skevington surname mean?

A habitational name denoting someone from a place called Skevington.

What does the Skevington map show?

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