The English and Scottish surname of Skinner comes from the Norse term of ‘skinn’ which meant a fur pelt or hide. It also referred to a person who drove a mule train. Variations in spelling Skinner include Skiner and Skynner. In England the Skinner surname is all across Wales and England with the greatest concentrations in the city of London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Devon and Yorkshire. In Scotland there are many large concentrations of Skinner families. Most reside in Aberdeenshire, Ross and Cromarty, Fife, Midlothian and Lancashire. Within the United States, Skinner families originated from New York, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, Virginia, Indiana, North Carolina, Kansas and California. Famous: Eugene Skinner (founder of Eugene, Oregon), Todd Skinner (rock climber), John Skinner (song writer from Scotland), Cornelia O. Skinner (actress and writer), Frank Skinner (music composer), Bob Skinner (professional baseball player) and Harrie Skinner (founder of the Roayl Automobile Club of Australia).