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

Skanes, 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 Skanes surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Skanes in America

Skanes is the 52970th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Skanes surname appeared 391 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Skanes.

We can also compare 2010 data for Skanes 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 Skanes

The surname Skanes traces its origins to the Scandinavian countries, specifically Sweden and Norway. It is believed to have emerged around the 12th century, derived from the Old Norse word "skána," which means "to shine" or "to gleam." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon someone with a radiant or striking appearance.

In its earliest forms, the surname was spelled in various ways, such as Skane, Skaane, Skaaen, and Skåne, reflecting the regional dialects and linguistic variations of the time. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Swedish provincial laws (landskapslagar) from the 13th century, where it appears as "Skāne."

The name gained prominence in the region of Skåne, a historical province located in southern Sweden, which shares its name with the surname. This geographic association has led some scholars to speculate that the name may have originated as a locative surname, referring to someone from the Skåne region.

One notable historical figure bearing the Skanes surname was Olav Skanes, a Norwegian nobleman and landowner who lived in the late 14th century. Records indicate that he held significant estates in the Trøndelag region of Norway and played a role in local politics during that period.

In the 16th century, the name Skanes appeared in the Danish Census Book of 1572, which documented the inhabitants of the Danish territories, including parts of modern-day Sweden and Norway. This record provides insights into the distribution and prevalence of the surname during that era.

Another historical figure of note was Knut Skanes, a Swedish merchant and ship owner who lived in the late 17th century. His trade activities and maritime ventures contributed to the economic development of the port city of Gothenburg, where he was based.

The surname also found its way to the British Isles, likely through Scandinavian migration and settlement. One notable bearer of the name was Sir John Skanes, an English military officer who fought in the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' War in 1415. His bravery and service were recognized by King Henry V, and he was granted lands in Kent for his contributions.

In the 19th century, a prominent individual with the Skanes surname was Nils Skanes, a Swedish painter and artist who was born in 1837 and died in 1911. He is known for his landscape paintings and depictions of rural life in Sweden, capturing the beauty and essence of his native country.

While the surname Skanes has its roots in Scandinavia, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. However, its historical significance and linguistic origins remain deeply rooted in the Nordic countries, serving as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Skanes

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

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 Skanes 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 Skanes 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 Skanes was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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