Surname Perkin - Meaning and Origin
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Perkin: What does the surname Perkin mean?
The surname Perkin is of English origin and is derived from the personal name Peter. In Medieval England, diminutive names became increasingly popular and "Perkin" is one such diminutive of Peter. The suffix "-kin" is of Dutch or Germanic origin, and when added to names, it usually means "little" or "beloved". Therefore, the name Perkin may imply "little Peter" or "beloved Peter". It started as a baptismal name and with time it evolved into a surname. As a surname, it has variants such as Parkin and Perkyn. Although the surname is found predominantly in England, migration over the centuries has led it to be found in many other parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisPerkin: Where does the name Perkin come from?
The surname Perkin is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. There are Perkin families scattered throughout England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. It is also common throughout the English-speaking world, particularly Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Perkins is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name "Peter". This given name was popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, with various spellings such as Piers, Pety, Pedro, and Perkus. It was believed to be derived from the Greek word for "rock". It is likely that Perkins was an early variant of "Peter".
Perkin families dates back to the medieval period when the English were establishing surnames. In the early 13th century, William le Perkin was mentioned in the records of Melrose Abbey. He may have been from Pershore in Worcestershire, but it is uncertain. Later records from Scotland mention Thomas Perkins in 1541 and Margaret Perkins in 1545.
Today, according to records from the Office for National Statistics, there are over 15,000 people living in the UK with the surname Perkin. The most common forms of the name are Perkin and Perkins. It is particularly common in South-West England, the English Midlands, and Scotland with the highest concentrations being in Gloucestershire, Staffordshire, Wiltshire, and the Leicestershire cities of Leicester and Loughborough. It is also found in many places in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Perkin
The surname Perkin is derived from the feminine given name Perkin, which is derived from the Old French name Percival or Perceval. The name itself is derived from the Latin words per (through) and carnivus (knife), meaning literally "one who pierces the valley". The surname Perkin is primarily found in Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, and North America.
Variants of the surname Perkin include Perkins, Perkens, Perkyn, Parkins, Parkyn, Parkyns, and Parkens. Spellings to consider include Parken, Parkon, Percin, Pirkin, Perken, Parkin, Perkenne, and Pyrkin.
In parts of Scotland, the surname Perkin has been anglicised from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Phiaráin, a patronymic form of the name Giolla Phiaráin, meaning "servant of (Saint) Piarán". Other variants of this Gaelic surname include Gilfillan, MacPhillips, McFillin, McFillin, MacFilipe, MacGilyen, and Phillips.
In the Welsh language, the surname Perkin is derived from Ap Morgan, meaning "son of (K)Morgan". Variants of this surname include Pargeter, Parker, Pargitt, Pargitts, and Parget.
A few other surnames believed to be derived from the same root name include Parkins, Paykin, Pykyn, Parken, Perken, Parkinnes, Parkeis, and Pirkin.
Famous people with the name Perkin
- Frank Perkin, a British art dealer
- Dave Perkin, an American Violinist and composer
- Robert Perkin, an English banker and politician
- Thomas J. Perkin, an American financier
- Douglas Perkin, a British biochemist
- Richard Perkin, a British entrepreneur
- Charles Perkin, an American chef
- William Henry Perkin, a British chemist
- Kit Perkin, an English painter
- Brian Perkin, an American actor