Find out how popular the last name Skaggs is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Skaggs.

Skaggs, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Skaggs surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Skaggs in America

Skaggs is the 2028th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Skaggs surname appeared 17,778 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 6 people would have the surname Skaggs.

We can also compare 2010 data for Skaggs to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Skaggs

The surname Skaggs has its origins in England, originating sometime during the medieval period. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "sceacga," which means "shaw" or "small wood." This suggests that the name may have initially referred to someone who lived near a small wooded area or grove.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Skaggs can be traced back to the 13th century. In the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, there is a reference to a William de la Shawe, which is likely an early spelling variant of the surname. The Domesday Book, the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct mentions of the name Skaggs, but it does list individuals with similar surnames derived from place names, indicating the name's locational origins.

As the surname evolved over time, various spellings emerged, such as Skaggs, Scagges, Scaggs, and Skags. These variations reflect the regional dialects and pronunciation differences found across different parts of England during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname Skaggs was John Skaggs, who was born in Lancashire, England, around 1480. Another notable figure was Sir William Skaggs, a prominent landowner and politician who lived in Gloucestershire in the late 16th century.

During the 17th century, the name Skaggs gained further recognition with the exploits of Captain Thomas Skaggs (1621-1689), a renowned English privateer who operated in the Caribbean Sea. His daring raids against Spanish ships and settlements earned him a place in the annals of maritime history.

Another significant figure was Sir Robert Skaggs (1619-1701), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist from Bristol, England. He made substantial contributions to the city's development and was known for his support of various charitable causes.

In the 18th century, the Reverend John Skaggs (1725-1792) gained prominence as a respected clergyman and author. His works on theology and philosophy were widely read and influential during his time.

Throughout its history, the surname Skaggs has maintained a strong presence in various regions of England, particularly in the counties of Lancashire, Gloucestershire, and Somerset. While not among the most common surnames in England, it has left a lasting mark on the country's cultural and historical tapestry.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Skaggs

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Skaggs.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Skaggs was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Skaggs has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Skaggs was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Skaggs, please contact us.

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