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There are approximately 1,542 people named Skene in the UK. That makes it the 5,412nd most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 24 are named Skene.

Region of origin

British Isles

Country of origin

Scotland

Language of origin

Gaelic

Religion of origin

Christian

Classification

Celtic


Related and similar surnames

Skeen
Skeene
Sane
Saine
Sayne
Sanne
Saenz
Sanes
San
Sannes
Saines
Cene
Cenes
Cegne
Cenne
Scene
Saene
Sceyne
Sceane
Seagne
Scenes
Scane
Scean
Sceanes
Saehn
Scein
Scanne
Scaine
Sceynes
Saane
Sahne

The Skene surname in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

Some derive their names, as well as their arms, from some considerable action, and thus, it is said, a second son of one Struan Robertson, for killing a wolf in Stocket Forest, Athol, Scotland, with a dirk, in the king's presence, got the name of Skene, which signifies a dirk, Gaelic, Sgian, and three dirk-points in pale for his arms. Skians, Cor. Brit., implies witty, skillful, knowing.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

Patronymica Britannica (1860)

SKENE. " The Skenes obtained this name for killing a very big aud fierce wolf, at a hunting in company with the king, in Stocket forest in Athole ; having killed the wolf with a dagger or sliaie." Buchanan's Ancient Scottish Surnames.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.

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