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

Skeem, 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 Skeem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Skeem in America

Skeem is the 110286th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Skeem surname appeared 160 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 Skeem.

We can also compare 2010 data for Skeem 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 Skeem

The surname SKEEM has its origins in the Scottish Highlands, dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "sgeamh," which means "brightness" or "radiance." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon someone with a bright or striking appearance.

In the early days, the name was found predominantly in the northern regions of Scotland, particularly in the areas around Inverness and the Isle of Skye. Historical records from the 17th century mention various spellings, such as "Skeam," "Skeme," and "Skeyme," reflecting the fluidity of spelling conventions during that era.

One of the earliest documented references to the SKEEM surname can be found in the Scottish Parish Records of the late 16th century, where a certain John Skeme is mentioned as a landowner in the parish of Dornoch, Sutherland.

The SKEEM name has also been linked to several notable figures throughout history. One such individual was Sir Robert Skeem (1620-1690), a prominent Scottish merchant and landowner who played a significant role in the development of the city of Glasgow.

Another noteworthy bearer of the SKEEM surname was William Skeem (1745-1812), a Scottish soldier and explorer who served in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. His detailed accounts of his expeditions in the Americas provide valuable insights into the cultural and geographical landscapes of the time.

In the literary realm, the name SKEEM is associated with the acclaimed Scottish author and poet, Margaret Skeem (1810-1878), whose works often explored themes of highland life and Scottish folklore.

The SKEEM family also made their mark in the field of academia. One notable figure was Professor Alexander Skeem (1855-1922), a renowned scholar of Celtic studies at the University of Edinburgh, whose research contributed significantly to the preservation and understanding of Scottish Gaelic culture and language.

While the SKEEM surname has its roots in Scotland, it has since spread to various parts of the world, carried by emigrants and descendants of the original Scottish clans. Nevertheless, the name's rich history and connections to the Scottish Highlands remain an integral part of its identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Skeem

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

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

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

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