This uncommon and interesting name is of early medieval English origin, and derives from the Middle English "sc(h)ulle", skull, a term thought to be of Scandinavian origin, and used here as a nickname for someone who was thought to have a cadaverous appearance, or for a bald-headed man. Many early surnames were gradually created from the habitual use of a nickname, which would have been bestowed in the first instance with reference to a number of possible characteristics: a person's physical attributes of peculiarities, mental or moral characteristics supposed resemblance to the appearance or disposition of an animal or bird, or habits of dress or occupation. The surname development since 1273, as below, includes: John Scull (1547, London), Pascowe Scule (1598, Cornwall), and Jeny Skull (1607, Lincolnshire). Among recordings of the name in London is that of the marriage of Edward Skule and Rachael Deemer at St. George's, Botolph Lane, on April 17th 1796. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William Scowle, which was dated 1273, in the Lincolnshire Hundred Rolls, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. 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.

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