Skegg

Skegg
This unusual surname, widely recorded in the north of England, is an interesting example of that sizeable group of early European surnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These nicknames were originally given with reference to a variety of personal characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, and mental and moral characteristics. The derivation, in this instance, is from the Old Norse byname "Skegg", "Beard", denoting someone with a particularly bushy beard, or perhaps one who wore a beard in a time when the majority were clean-shaven. This personal name is also found in the placename Skegby, Nottinghamshire, recorded as "Schegebi" in the Domesday Book of 1086, and in Skegness, Lincolnshire, appearing as "Skegenes" in the 1256 Pipe Rolls of that county. The surname first appears on record in the late 14th Century (see below). The final "s" attached to the name indicates the patronymic, and is a reduced form of "son of". On June 21st 1574, Anne Skeggs and Richard Atkins were married at St. Dunstan's in the East, London. A Coat of Arms granted to the Skeges family of Huntingdonshire in 1568 is a shield divided per fess gold and azure with a chevron counterchanged, and an azure lion passant guardant in chief. A demi peacock azure, wings expanded or, beaked and combed gold, is on the Crest. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Skegge, "laborer", which was dated 1376, in the "Poll Tax Returns Records of Howdenshire", Yorkshire, during the reign of King Edward 111, known as "The Father of the Navy", 1327 - 1377. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • David Skegg — Sir David Christopher Graham Skegg, KNZM, OBE, FRSNZ (born 1947) is a New Zealand epidemiologist and university administrator. He is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Otago and Professor of Preventive and Social Medicine. His primary… …   Wikipedia

  • щека — диал. также крутой скалистый берег реки , вост. сиб., крутые утесы, сжимающие с обеих сторон течение реки , колымск. (Богораз), укр. щока щека , пащека пасть, скула , блр. пащека челюсть, особенно нижняя , польск. szczeka, szczęka скула, челюсть …   Этимологический словарь русского языка Макса Фасмера

  • Halberd — Hal berd (h[o^]l b[ e]rd; 277), n. [F. hallebarde; of German origin; cf. MHG. helmbarte, G. hellebarte; prob. orig., an ax to split a helmet, fr. G. barte a broad ax (orig. from the same source as E. beard; cf. Icel. bar[eth]a, a kind of ax,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • halbert — Halberd Hal berd (h[o^]l b[ e]rd; 277), n. [F. hallebarde; of German origin; cf. MHG. helmbarte, G. hellebarte; prob. orig., an ax to split a helmet, fr. G. barte a broad ax (orig. from the same source as E. beard; cf. Icel. bar[eth]a, a kind of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Shag — Shag, n. [AS. sceacga a bush of hair; akin to Icel. skegg the beard, Sw. sk[ a]gg, Dan. skj?g. Cf. {Schock} of hair.] 1. Coarse hair or nap; rough, woolly hair. [1913 Webster] True Witney broadcloth, with its shag unshorn. Gay. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • skeg — also skag noun Etymology: Middle English skegge, from Old Norse skegg cutwater, literally, beard more at shag Date: 13th century 1. the stern of the keel of a ship near the sternpost; especially the part connecting the keel with the bottom of the …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • shag — I. noun Etymology: Middle English *shagge, from Old English sceacga; akin to Old Norse skegg beard, skaga to project Date: before 12th century 1. a. a shaggy tangled mass or covering (as of hair) b. long coarse or matted fiber, nap, or pile c. a… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • shaw — I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English sceaga; akin to Old Norse skegg beard more at shag Date: before 12th century dialect coppice, thicket II. noun Etymology: probably alteration of show Date: 1726 …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • University of Otago — Māori: Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo Motto Latin: Sapere aude Motto in English Dare to be wise …   Wikipedia

  • Skeg — A skeg (or skag) is a sternward extension of the keel of boats and ships which have a rudder mounted on the centre line. In more recent years, the name has been used for a fin on a surfboard which improves directional stability and to a moveable… …   Wikipedia

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