[2] The island was named by Wilhelm August Graah (1793–1863) after Skjoldungen or Skioldungen, a honorific title for the successors (Scyldings) of legendary King Skjold to the ancient Danish throne in Norse mythology.

[8] Skjoldungen Island has a rugged terrain, which includes the Skjoldmøen, Bjarje and Hjalte glaciers and the Gedebukken, Pandebrasken, Skuren and Sfinksen nunataks.

[9] At the Qoornoq site, located on a small headland by the shore of the Southern Skjoldungen Fjord, there are archaeological remains of later historical periods.

These date back to 1938 when one hundred and fifty Inuit from Ammassalik were convinced by the Danish authorities to settle in this large island.

During World War II a weather station was built and run by the Allies on Skjoldungen, as well as another one on Cape Adelaer further south down the coast at 61°50′N 42°5′W / 61.833°N 42.083°W / 61.833; -42.083.