Map of England showing where the Skerritt arms are recorded
The Skerritt arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1620.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Skerritt arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Devon.
Origin & History of the Skerritt Family in England
The surname Skerritt is primarily associated with the southwestern region of England, particularly the county of Devon. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in this area by the early 17th century. The name is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier, likely evolving from Old English or Norse roots that described a person who lived near a rocky outcrop or a steep cliff. During the 1600s, families with this name were often involved in local agriculture and trade within the rural parishes of Devon. As the population grew and moved, the name gradually spread from these coastal and inland communities to other parts of Britain and eventually across the Atlantic. This transition reflects the broader movement of English families who sought new opportunities during the era of early colonial expansion.
Skerritt Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Scir-geat
Old English for bright or clear gate.
This name
SkerrittA locational surname derived from a place name referring to a bright or clear passage.
also spelled
Skerett
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service, Parish Registers of Devon, 1620
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain, 1890
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
