This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Sketchley family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Sketchley Family History

Sketchley Surname Meaning

From Sketchley in Hinckley (Leics), which is recorded as Skeitesclive in 1236 and Sketchlie in 1596. The place-name probably derives from English scēað ‘boundary’ changed through Scandinavian influence to Old Scandinavian skeið ‘boundary road’.

Additionally, the Old English clif means ‘cliff bank’. This etymological development illustrates how language and culture evolve over time, reflecting the historical interactions between different linguistic groups.

The transition from a boundary-related name to its modern form represents a fascinating aspect of local history. It highlights the significance of geographical features in shaping place-names.

Understanding the origins of such place-names can enhance our appreciation of local heritage and its connections to the broader historical narrative of the region.

In this case, Sketchley's name serves as a reminder of the area's past and the linguistic influences that have contributed to its identity.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Sketchley family from?

You can see how Sketchley families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Sketchley family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Sketchley families were found in United Kingdom in 1891. In 1891 there were 76 Sketchley families living in Leicestershire. This was about 39% of all the recorded Sketchley's in United Kingdom. Leicestershire had the highest population of Sketchley families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Sketchley surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Sketchley ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Colliery Hewer and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Sketchley. 67% of Sketchley men worked as a Colliery Hewer and 84% of Sketchley women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties. Some less common occupations for Americans named Sketchley were General Labourer and Hosiery Mender.

View Census Data for Sketchley | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Colliery Hewer
    67%
  • General Labourer
    34%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    84%
  • Private Means
    3%
  • Housewife
    3%
  • Hosiery Mender
    3%

What Sketchley family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 5,000 census records available for the last name Sketchley. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Sketchley census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Sketchley

Passenger Lists

There are 690 immigration records available for the last name Sketchley. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Sketchley immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 453 military records available for the last name Sketchley. For the veterans among your Sketchley ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Sketchley military records

You've only scratched the surface of Sketchley family history

Discover More

What is the average Sketchley lifespan?

Between 1965 and 2003, in the United States, Sketchley life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1992, and highest in 1977. The average life expectancy for Sketchley in 1965 was 63, and 86 in 2003.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Sketchley

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Sketchley ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Sketchley family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial