Richard Huskard

Richard Huskard (fl. 1278?–1333) was an Anglo-Irish settler. He was an ancestor of the family of Skerrett, who later became one of The Tribes of Galway. Later bearers of the name included John Skerrett (Mayor) (fl.1491-1492) and John Skerrett (Augustinian) (c.1620-c.1688). There is unconfirmed evidence that an earlier Richard Huskard held land near Galway in 1278.

Huskard was the original form of the surname Skerrett. Adrian James Martyn has speculated that the original form was huscarl, a compound word of two distinct words in Old English, hus (house) and churl (a peasant. Martyn believes that it was originally a nickname, and may well have denoted a person of Anglo-Saxon, rather than Norman, descent. If so, this would make the Skerrets one of only two families of English origin among the Tribes.

His presumptive descendants include

• John Skerrett (Mayor), 7th Mayor of Galway, 1491-1492.
• James Skerrett, fl. 1513-1532, Mayor of Galway.
• John Skerrett (Augustinian), Irish Preacher and Missionary, c.1620-c.1688.

See also

• Churl

References

• The Tribes of Galway, Adrian James Martyn, Galway, 2001
• Henry, William (2002). Role of Honour: The Mayors of Galway City 1485-2001. Galway: Galway City Council. OCLC 51023721 ASIN B003NECRYW