Etymology Map
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Skerry

3 stages from Old Norse to English.

Today it means a small rocky island or reef

Where does the word "skerry" come from? It comes from Old Norse sker, passing through Orkney Norn before entering English (1610s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sker
Old Norse · 800s-1000s
"sea rock"
a rock in the sea
2
Stage 2 of 3
skerry
Orkney Norn · medieval
"rocky islet"
survived in the Norse language of Orkney and Shetland
3
Stage 3 of 3
skerry
English · 1610s
"rocky islet"
used for the rocky islets of Scotland's coasts
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Read the full story

Skerry’s story begins in Old Norse: sker meant “sea rock.” A rock in the sea. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Orkney Norn as skerry. Survived in the Norse language of Orkney and Shetland. It reached English by 1610s as skerry. Used for the rocky islets of Scotland's coasts. Today, skerry means a small rocky island or reef.