What Does the Name “Skegness” Mean?

The name Skegness has a story that reaches back more than a thousand years. While the town is now famous for its beaches, amusements, and the cheerful Jolly Fisherman, its name hints at a much older past — one shaped by Viking settlers and the natural landscape of the Lincolnshire coast.

Viking Origins

The word Skegness is believed to come from Old Norse, the language spoken by the Vikings who settled in parts of eastern England around the 9th and 10th centuries. Most historians agree that it combines two elements: “Skeggi” (a personal name or the word for “beard”) and “ness” (meaning “headland” or “promontory”).

Put together, Skeggi’s ness or Bearded Headland likely described a coastal point owned or inhabited by a man named Skeggi, or perhaps a distinctive, rugged headland that resembled a beard or point jutting into the sea. Either way, it reflects the strong Viking influence that shaped so many Lincolnshire place names.

From Fishing Village to Seaside Resort

Centuries after its Viking origins, Skegness grew into a thriving fishing community. The coastline’s natural shape — the very “ness” the Vikings named — provided an ideal base for fishermen and traders. In the late 19th century, the arrival of the railway transformed Skegness again, turning it into one of Britain’s first purpose-built seaside resorts.

While much has changed, the name remains a reminder of the area’s ancient roots. It connects modern-day Skegness to a time when longboats sailed along the coast and Norse settlers named the landscape around them.

The Lost Town Beneath the Sea

Interestingly, the original medieval settlement of Skegness isn’t where the town stands today. The first village was destroyed by a massive storm in the early 1500s, and much of it was lost to the sea. The new town that grew inland kept the old name, preserving the Viking heritage even as the coastline shifted.

A Name That Still Defines a Place

Today, when visitors see signs for Skegness, they’re not just reading a modern town name — they’re glimpsing a piece of history. The word tells the story of Viking explorers, coastal change, and a community that has always been tied to the sea.

From Skeggi’s headland to the modern resort we know today, the name Skegness is a reminder that even a simple word can carry centuries of local heritage and meaning.