Surname Skeen - Meaning and Origin

Tracing My Roots: An iGENEA DNA Test's Revelation about My Forefathers - The Skeens

When I sent my DNA to be analyzed by iGENEA, I was unaware of the revelations it would bring about my ancestors, the Skeens. The results provided unexpected insights into my forefathers, reshaping my self-understanding.

F. Skeen

Skeen: What does the surname Skeen mean?

The surname Skeen originates from Scotland and is believed to be derived from a geographical area located between the parishes of Glenmuick and Glenrinnes, namely 'The Skein.' The last name Skeen can also trace roots back to the Norse word "skei," meaning "a race course." It is often associated with individuals involved in racing. There have been various spellings of the name over its history, including Skene, Skein, Skain, and others. Much like other Scottish names, Skeen was first recorded in Aberdeenshire, one of the oldest regions in Scotland, home to significant families involved in the nation's history. In ancient manuscripts, the surname is often found in legal and administrative records, indicating a strong influence in public affairs during medieval and renaissance periods. Today, it is also fairly common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Skeen: Where does the name Skeen come from?

The last name Skeen is most common today in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the highest concentration of people with the last name Skeen live in Virginia, followed by Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In Canada, the highest concentration of Skeens lives in Ontario.

The surname Skeen is of English origin, and first appeared in England in the twelfth century. It is believed to have been derived from the old English word “sceon”, meaning “free”. It is believed that the name has experienced migration to Scotland, Ireland, and North America with some of its earliest known recordings appearing in the late 1600s.

Today, there are estimated to be fewer than 5,000 people with the last name Skeen in the United States. In Canada, the numbers are more difficult to ascertain as the name is not as common, but it is estimated to be fewer than 1,000.

The Skeens in the United States are believed to have descended from Thomas Skeen of Chester County, Pennsylvania, who emigrated from Ireland in the late 1700s. His descendents spread out across the United States and one of his descendants, Benjamin Skeen, fought in the American Civil War. The Skeens of Canada are believed to be the descendants of Uriah Skeen, who emigrated to Ontario in the mid-1800s.

Although the name Skeen is not as common today as it was in its early days, there are still many descendants of the original Skeens living in various parts of the United States and Canada.

Variations of the surname Skeen

The surname Skeen is an English surname which has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Skeen is derived from the Old English word ‘sceo’, which means a hill or hillside, and hence the name could have been an occupational name for someone who lived on a hill. This is known as a toponymic name, derived from a place or geographical location.

Variants of this surname include Skeans, Skein, Skane, Skeens and Skains. The surnames MacSkean and Skean are derived from Mac Skean, an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name ‘Mac Sheachain’, which means ‘son of Sheachain’.

Other similar surnames of the same origin are Sheehan, Shannan, Shanahan, Shanan, Shanly, Sheenan, Shean, Sein and Sain.

The surname Skeen has a wide geographical distribution and can be found in England, Ireland, Scotland, as well as in other countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

In some parts of the British Isles, particularly in Scotland, the surname is derived from a place name meaning small hill.

The earliest recorded usage of the surname Skeen is from the 12th century in England. There are several records from this period showing the use of the surname in various locations, including William of Skeen in 1177 and Adam de Skeen in 1296.

It is likely that this surname underwent a variety of spelling changes over the centuries due to its close association with certain geographical locations and dialects. These changes may include variants such as Skean, Skein, Skeene, Sceen, Skeens and Skeanes.

Famous people with the name Skeen

• Ryan Skeen: celebrity chef and restaurateur
• Ryan Skeen: actor, well-known for his work in The Twilight Zone reboot in 2019
• Josh Skeen: former NFL player and current professional runner
• Jackie Skeen: former United States women's soccer player
• Travis Skeen: boxer who won the WBC Continental Americas Light Middleweight Title
• Amber Skeen: soccer player and coach who has been part of the United States National Team
• Lisa Skeen: award-winning author and podcaster
• David Skeen: former MLB baseball player
• Lucky Skeen: professional BMX rider
• Jasmine Skeen: professional dancer
• Steve Skeen: educator and media expert.

Other surnames

Skeens