NameCensus.

UK surname

Skull

A surname referring to an occupation related to the removal or handling of animal skulls.

In the 1881 census there were 253 people recorded with the Skull surname, ranking it #10,980 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 237, ranked #17,418, down from #10,980 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Swindon, Lyddington, Shirland and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Wiltshire, East Dorset and Wakefield.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Skull is 337 in 1911. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 6.3%.

1881 census count

253

Ranked #10,980

Modern count

237

2016, ranked #17,418

Peak year

1911

337 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Skull had 253 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #10,980 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 237 in 2016, ranked #17,418.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 337 in 1911.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Communities.

Skull surname distribution map

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

Distribution map

Skull surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Skull 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 159 #12,400
1861 historical 164 #14,188
1881 historical 253 #10,980
1891 historical 197 #15,101
1901 historical 270 #12,492
1911 historical 337 #10,547
1997 modern 263 #14,769
1998 modern 268 #14,978
1999 modern 267 #15,097
2000 modern 258 #15,427
2001 modern 249 #15,573
2002 modern 260 #15,415
2003 modern 242 #15,960
2004 modern 243 #16,004
2005 modern 250 #15,639
2006 modern 240 #16,177
2007 modern 240 #16,392
2008 modern 243 #16,397
2009 modern 247 #16,549
2010 modern 238 #17,323
2011 modern 238 #17,188
2012 modern 229 #17,537
2013 modern 240 #17,251
2014 modern 240 #17,387
2015 modern 239 #17,322
2016 modern 237 #17,418

Geography

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Where Skulls are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Swindon, Lyddington, Shirland, London parishes and Dauntsey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Wiltshire, East Dorset and Wakefield. 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 Swindon, Lyddington Wiltshire
2 Shirland Derbyshire
3 London parishes London 1
4 Dauntsey Wiltshire
5 London parishes London 3

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Wiltshire 007 Wiltshire
2 Wiltshire 006 Wiltshire
3 East Dorset 002 East Dorset
4 Wiltshire 041 Wiltshire
5 Wakefield 010 Wakefield

Forenames

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First names often paired with Skull

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

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Skull

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

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Skull is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. 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 residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Skull is most concentrated in decile 4 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.

4
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Skull 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 Skull 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 Skull, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Skull

The surname "SKULL" is of English origin, and it is believed to have emerged during the late medieval period, around the 14th or 15th century. This name is derived from the Old English word "sculan," which means "to skulk" or "to lurk," suggesting that the earliest bearers of this name may have been individuals who had a tendency to hide or conceal themselves.

One of the earliest recorded instances of this surname can be found in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire from 1327, where a person named John Skull is mentioned. This document provides evidence that the name was already in use during the early 14th century.

In the 16th century, the surname "SKULL" appeared in various records and documents across different parts of England. For instance, in the Parish Registers of Rothwell, Northamptonshire, there is a record of a marriage between William Skull and Margaret Whatley in 1558.

The name "SKULL" has also been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One such figure was John Skull, a prominent merchant and landowner who lived in the 16th century. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, in 1520 and is known for his involvement in local affairs and his philanthropic efforts.

Another notable bearer of this surname was Thomas Skull, a renowned scholar and theologian who lived during the 17th century. He was born in Oxford in 1628 and went on to become a fellow of Merton College, Oxford, where he made significant contributions to the field of theology.

In the 18th century, the name "SKULL" appeared in various parish records across England. One example is the baptismal record of Mary Skull, daughter of William and Elizabeth Skull, which was recorded in the Parish Registers of St. Mary's Church, Warwick, in 1742.

The name "SKULL" has also been linked to several place names in England, such as Skull Hill in the county of Kent, and Skull Park in the county of Oxfordshire. These place names may have been derived from the surname itself or vice versa, reflecting the presence of individuals bearing this name in those specific locations.

Throughout the centuries, the surname "SKULL" has undergone various spelling variations, including Scull, Sckulle, and Sculle. These variations can be found in historical records and documents, reflecting the fluidity of spelling conventions during those times.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Skull families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Skull 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. Wiltshire leads with 131 Skulls recorded in 1881 and an index of 60.02x.

County Total Index
Wiltshire 131 60.02x
Middlesex 36 1.46x
Yorkshire 31 1.27x
Surrey 21 1.75x
Buckinghamshire 12 8.04x
Essex 7 1.44x
Gloucestershire 7 1.45x
Brecknockshire 2 4.05x
Hampshire 2 0.40x
Somerset 2 0.50x
Herefordshire 1 0.99x
Oxfordshire 1 0.66x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dauntsey in Wiltshire leads with 61 Skulls recorded in 1881 and an index of 14878.05x.

Place Total Index
Dauntsey 61 14878.05x
Haworth 31 533.56x
Brinkworth 24 2448.98x
Chelsea London 17 22.86x
Christian Malford 12 1818.18x
Wycombe 12 107.91x
Paddington London 10 11.02x
Lyneham 9 1058.82x
Bitton Oldland 7 141.41x
Charlton 7 1093.75x
Highway 7 10000.00x
Lambeth 7 3.25x
Newington 7 7.68x
Rotherhithe 7 22.96x
West Ham 7 6.51x
St Pancras London 5 2.52x
Blunsdon St Andrew 4 5000.00x
Hurstbourne Tarrant 2 281.69x
Llanvigan 2 434.78x
Seagry 2 1538.46x
Shoreditch London 2 1.87x
Acton 1 6.91x
Brokenborough 1 322.58x
Cliffe Pypard 1 153.85x
Compton Bassett 1 312.50x
Keynsham 1 35.09x
Ledbury 1 28.74x
St Luke London 1 2.53x
West Lavington 1 95.24x
Weston 1 32.79x
Wheatley 1 116.28x
Wootton Bassett 1 52.63x

Top female names

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

Name Count
John 11
William 11
Henry 10
James 10
Charles 9
George 7
Walter 6
Ernest 5
Albert 4
Frederick 4
Thomas 4
Alfred 3
David 3
Francis 3
Isaac 3
Percy 3
Abraham 2
Edwin 2
Eli 2
Elijah 2
Herbert 2
Joseph 2
Mark 2
Richard 2
Samuel 2
Timothy 2
Wm. 2
Arthur 1
Benjamin 1
Daniel 1
Edward 1
Frank 1
Fred 1
Fredk. 1
Fredrick 1
Giles 1
Harry 1
Jacob 1
Jessie 1
Joe 1
Leonard 1
Lewin 1
Lionel 1
Maurice 1
Ralph 1
Thos. 1

FAQ

Skull surname: questions and answers

How common was the Skull surname in 1881?

In 1881, 253 people were recorded with the Skull surname. That placed it at #10,980 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Skull surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 237 in 2016. That gives Skull a modern rank of #17,418.

What does the Skull surname mean?

A surname referring to an occupation related to the removal or handling of animal skulls.

What does the Skull map show?

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