Skinner — Last Name Origin & Meaning

English origin Rank #627 in the US 54,046 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#627
▼ Down 52 since 2000
People in the US
54,046
18.32 per 100K people
Origin
English
Old English

Origin & Meaning of the Skinner Surname

What does the last name Skinner mean?

The surname Skinner carries the meaning "One who does." It is derived from the Old English language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 54,046 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Skinner ranks as the #627 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Skinner come from?

The Skinner surname has its roots in English heritage. Names of English origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Skinner name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Skinner trace back to Old English. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

English Old English

Quick Facts

Surname Skinner
Meaning One who does
Origin English
Language Old English
US Rank (2010) #627
US Count (2010) 54,046
Per 100K People 18.32
First Letter S

Ethnic Distribution of Skinner

According to the US Census, the Skinner surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 54,046 Americans with the Skinner last name.

White 79.34%
Black 15.03%
Hispanic 2.53%
Asian/PI 0.48%
Native American 0.66%
Two+ Races 1.96%
Ethnic distribution of the Skinner surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White79.34%
Black15.03%
Hispanic2.53%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.48%
Native American0.66%
Two or More Races1.96%

Popularity of Skinner Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Skinner surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#575
52,490 people
Down 52
Census 2010
#627
54,046 people

The number of Americans with the Skinner surname increased by 1,556 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Skinner Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Skinner ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Skinner

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Skinner.

Other English Surnames

Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as Skinner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skinner

The surname Skinner is of English origin. One who does
The surname Skinner is ranked #627 in the United States with approximately 54,046 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
One who does. The name has English roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Skinner surname is distributed as: 79.3% White, 15.0% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Skinner ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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