Family name origins & meanings
- English (chiefly Norfolk) : occupational name for the master of a ship, Middle English skipper (from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch schipper).
- English (chiefly Norfolk) : from an agent derivative of Middle English skip(en) ‘to jump or spring’ (apparently of Scandinavian origin), hence an occupational name for an acrobat or professional tumbler, or nickname for a high-spirited person.
- English (chiefly Norfolk) : occupational name for a basket-maker, from an agent derivative of Middle English skipp(e), skepp(e) ‘basket’, ‘hamper’ (Old Norse skeppa).