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

Skivers, 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 Skivers surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Skivers in America

Skivers is the 122534th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Skivers surname appeared 130 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Skivers.

The history of the last name Skivers

The surname Skivers is believed to have its origins in England, with its earliest references dating back to the late medieval period. The name is primarily found in the regions of Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it may have originated as a nickname or a descriptive term related to the occupation or characteristic of an individual. The name could derive from the Old English scifan or the Middle English skiveren, both of which relate to “to slice” or “to cut”, indicating a possible connection to the leather working occupation, as a skiver is a type of leather used in bookbinding.

Early records hint at the presence of the surname in regional documents dating back to the 13th century. One of the earliest references appears in the Lancashire Assize Rolls of 1247, where a Richard le Skivere is mentioned. This suggests that the name was associated with a profession, possibly a leather worker or someone involved in producing fine slices of leather.

A significant historical document, the 1379 Yorkshire Poll Tax records, lists a John Skivers among the taxpayers, indicating the spread of this surname to different areas within England. This further suggests that the surname may also have served as an identifier for tradesmen or artisans specializing in specific crafts related to cutting or slicing materials.

Another well-documented individual, Edward Skivers, born in 1624 in Yorkshire, played a notable role in local commerce, being a recognized member of the leatherworking guilds. His workshop, established in the mid-17th century, is mentioned in various trade directories of the time, illustrating the occupational roots of the surname and its significance within the community.

In the 18th century, we find a James Skivers (born 1715, died 1779), a prominent figure in Lancashire known for his contributions to the leather tanning industry. His innovations in the leather processing methods revolutionized the trade, leading to greater economic development in the area.

The 19th century records mention Annabella Skivers, born in 1803 in London, one of the few documented women carrying the Skivers surname during that period. She became well-known for her charitable work in the East End of London, helping to establish several educational institutions for underprivileged children.

A well-known 20th-century figure bearing the Skivers surname is William Skivers, born in 1887 and known for his service during World War I. His valor and leadership were recognized with several British military honors, and his diary, published posthumously, offers a poignant glimpse into the life of a soldier during the Great War.

The history of the Skivers surname reflects its deep connection to trades and crafts, notably in the regions where the name first appeared. Each recorded individual with this surname has contributed to its rich legacy, highlighting the evolution of a name deeply rooted in English history and occupational identity.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Skivers

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Skivers 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.

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

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

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