NameCensus.

UK surname

Skipp

A surname derived from the Middle English "skipper," referring to someone who loads and unloads ships.

In the 1881 census there were 451 people recorded with the Skipp surname, ranking it #7,313 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 767, ranked #7,156, up from #7,313 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Cottered, St Leonard Shoreditch and Roydon. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Monmouthshire, Bath and North East Somerset and Breckland.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Skipp is 828 in 2002. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 70.1%.

1881 census count

451

Ranked #7,313

Modern count

767

2016, ranked #7,156

Peak year

2002

828 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Skipp had 451 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #7,313 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 767 in 2016, ranked #7,156.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 683 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Skipp surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Skipp surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Skipp 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 266 #8,373
1861 historical 223 #10,942
1881 historical 451 #7,313
1891 historical 469 #7,813
1901 historical 567 #7,374
1911 historical 683 #6,192
1997 modern 773 #6,721
1998 modern 801 #6,739
1999 modern 812 #6,717
2000 modern 806 #6,729
2001 modern 817 #6,534
2002 modern 828 #6,593
2003 modern 805 #6,615
2004 modern 793 #6,723
2005 modern 786 #6,695
2006 modern 776 #6,796
2007 modern 793 #6,741
2008 modern 787 #6,846
2009 modern 802 #6,875
2010 modern 816 #6,904
2011 modern 797 #6,974
2012 modern 764 #7,126
2013 modern 785 #7,077
2014 modern 797 #7,022
2015 modern 780 #7,078
2016 modern 767 #7,156

Geography

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Where Skipps are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Cottered, St Leonard Shoreditch, Roydon, Birmingham Town: Birmingham and St Mary Islington. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Monmouthshire, Bath and North East Somerset, Breckland, Thurrock and Stockton-on-Tees. 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 Cottered Hertfordshire
2 St Leonard Shoreditch London (East Districts)
3 Roydon Essex
4 Birmingham Town: Birmingham Warwickshire
5 St Mary Islington London (North Districts)

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Monmouthshire 004 Monmouthshire
2 Bath and North East Somerset 011 Bath and North East Somerset
3 Breckland 016 Breckland
4 Thurrock 018 Thurrock
5 Stockton-on-Tees 019 Stockton-on-Tees

Forenames

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First names often paired with Skipp

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Skipp

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Skipp, 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 Skipp surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Communities, within Baseline UK. This does not mean every Skipp 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, Skipp 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

Skipp 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

Skipp falls in decile 8 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.

8
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

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

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

10
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

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

Meaning and origin of Skipp

The surname Skipp originated in England, with records dating back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old English word "scrippen," which means "to move rapidly" or "to skip." This name was likely given as a nickname to someone who had a tendency to move quickly or skip around.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Skipp can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire from 1194, where a person named Radulfus Scrippe is mentioned. The spelling of the name evolved over time, with variations such as Scryppe, Scrippe, and Skippe appearing in various historical records.

In the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a record of landowners in England, there is an entry for a William Scrippe from Lincolnshire. This suggests that the name was well-established in certain regions of England by the 13th century.

The Skipp surname also has ties to place names in England. For instance, there is a village called Skipp in Kent, which may have derived its name from the surname or vice versa.

Notable individuals with the surname Skipp throughout history include:

1. Sir Michael Skipp (1607-1670), an English politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1661. 2. John Skipp (1551-1616), an English clergyman and academic who served as the Master of Christ's College, Cambridge. 3. Mary Skipp (c. 1610-1665), an English writer and translator who published works on religious subjects. 4. Thomas Skipp (1554-1619), an English clergyman and author who wrote several theological works. 5. William Skipp (1757-1829), a British naval officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and the Napoleonic Wars.

The Skipp surname has a rich history in England, with its origins dating back to the Middle Ages. Its meaning and evolution reflect the naming practices and cultural influences of the time, making it a fascinating example of the linguistic heritage of English surnames.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Skipp families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Skipp 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 129 Skipps recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.93x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 129 2.93x
Hertfordshire 106 34.96x
Warwickshire 49 4.42x
Durham 34 2.60x
Surrey 32 1.49x
Essex 13 1.50x
Monmouthshire 11 3.46x
Worcestershire 11 1.91x
Gloucestershire 10 1.16x
Bedfordshire 8 3.51x
Herefordshire 8 4.43x
Kent 8 0.53x
Cambridgeshire 6 2.15x
Northumberland 6 0.92x
Dorset 4 1.39x
Norfolk 4 0.59x
Leicestershire 2 0.41x
Royal Navy 2 3.82x
Shropshire 2 0.53x
Yorkshire 2 0.05x
Carmarthenshire 1 0.54x
Hampshire 1 0.11x
Nottinghamshire 1 0.17x
Suffolk 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Stockton On Tees in Durham leads with 30 Skipps recorded in 1881 and an index of 47.55x.

Place Total Index
Stockton On Tees 30 47.55x
Birmingham 27 7.30x
Aston 21 6.87x
Buckland 21 3888.89x
Islington London 20 4.69x
Braughing 18 1161.29x
Camberwell 17 6.05x
Bishop Stortford 14 138.20x
Hornsey 13 23.37x
St Pancras London 12 3.39x
Cottered 11 1929.82x
Sandon 11 956.52x
Shoreditch London 11 5.77x
Tottenham 11 15.70x
Roydon 10 781.25x
Croydon 8 6.72x
Layston 8 496.89x
Bethnal Green London 7 3.66x
Hackney London 7 2.84x
Monmouth 7 83.04x
Biggleswade 6 80.43x
Broxbourne 6 99.83x
Letchworth 6 3750.00x
Tynemouth 6 17.12x
Hammersmith London 5 4.61x
Northfield 5 45.87x
Ross 5 69.64x
Stoke Newington London 5 14.59x
Westminster St 5 30.83x
Whitechapel London 5 11.53x
Whittlesey St Mary St 5 51.39x
Blandford Forum 4 70.18x
Penge 4 14.23x
Ware 4 46.03x
Westoe 4 5.39x
Wiggenhall St Mary Virgin 4 833.33x
Willesden 4 9.65x
Cheshunt 3 28.30x
Dymock 3 145.63x
Gloucester Barton St 3 59.29x
Hereford All Sts 3 36.32x
Llanvihangel Pontymoile 3 535.71x
Mile End Old Town 3 4.32x
Paddington London 3 1.85x
Staunton 3 483.87x
Stone In Dartford 3 77.92x
Bromley 2 8.74x
Cheltenham 2 3.00x
Finchley 2 11.86x
Kensington London 2 0.82x
Kings Norton 2 3.88x
Luton 2 5.07x
Poplar London 2 2.41x
Royal Navy 2 4.46x
Shifnal 2 19.38x
St Marylebone London 2 0.85x
Wigston Magna 2 30.91x
Bristol St Paul In 1 4.35x
Chelsea London 1 0.75x
Edgbaston 1 2.91x
Esher 1 33.33x
Hampstead London 1 1.46x
Lewisham 1 1.25x
Leyton 1 6.68x
Llanfairarybryn 1 51.81x
Newmarket St Mary 1 24.33x
Norwood 1 9.94x
Nottingham St Mary 1 0.65x
Old Artillery Ground 1 26.39x
Rochford 1 208.33x
St George Hanover 1 1.74x
St Giles In Fields 1 6.59x
St Luke London 1 1.42x
St Martin In Fields 1 3.80x
Stanghow 1 56.82x
Tadley 1 65.36x
Tewkesbury 1 12.99x
Usk 1 37.88x
Walthamstow 1 3.20x
Wandsworth 1 2.36x

Top female names

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

Name Count
William 25
George 20
John 20
Thomas 20
James 13
Henry 12
Charles 10
Samuel 10
Alfred 9
Robert 8
Arthur 7
Edward 4
Frederick 4
Joseph 4
Albert 3
Daniel 3
Herbert 3
Richard 3
Walter 3
Ernest 2
Felix 2
Isaac 2
Authur 1
Benjamin 1
Brickie 1
Chas. 1
David 1
Edmond 1
Edw.J. 1
Edwin 1
Esau 1
Francis 1
Fredick 1
Fredrick 1
Harrie 1
Harry 1
Infant 1
Jonathan 1
Levi 1
N.C. 1
Paul 1
Peter 1
Phillip 1
Ramah 1
Solomon 1
Thos. 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Skipp surname: questions and answers

How common was the Skipp surname in 1881?

In 1881, 451 people were recorded with the Skipp surname. That placed it at #7,313 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Skipp surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 767 in 2016. That gives Skipp a modern rank of #7,156.

What does the Skipp surname mean?

A surname derived from the Middle English "skipper," referring to someone who loads and unloads ships.

What does the Skipp map show?

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