Last Name Perkins

The surname "Perkins" is of English origin. It comes from the Old French "parchenys", which means "a worker in parchment". The name was originally a metonymic occupational name for someone who worked with parchment, such as a scribe or a maker of leather containers for books. Over time, it became a hereditary surname in England and eventually spread to other English-speaking regions due to migration and colonization.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Perkins

The meaning and origin of the last name Perkins

The surname Perkins originates from Old English and Old Norse roots, signifying "Pere's family" or "Porr's kin," derived from the given names Peter (Latin Petrus) and Porr (Norse for Thor). The name was initially brought to England by Norman invaders in the 11th century. Throughout history, Perkins has been a relatively common surname in both England and America due to its easy spelling and pronunciation. Famous individuals bearing the name include Perkins Tooth, an American musician, and Elizabeth Perkins, an actress known for her roles in films such as "Big" and "Weeds." The name's popularity has persisted throughout history, making it a widespread surname with rich origins that span both English and Norse cultures.

Geographical distribution of the last name Perkins

The surname Perkins is most prevalent in regions with significant English influence, particularly England and the United States. In England, it is primarily found in the East Anglia region, which includes counties such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. In the United States, the name Perkins can be found throughout the country, but it is especially common in the Southern states and New England. Additionally, there are sizable Perkins populations in Canada, particularly in Ontario and Nova Scotia due to British immigration during the 18th and 19th centuries. The name also appears in Australia, New Zealand, and other former British colonies, where it was carried by early European settlers.

Variants and spellings of the last name Perkins

The surname Perkins is of English origin, derived from various locales named "Perkin's" or "Parc-kin(s)", meaning "Percival's enclosure" in Old French. Over time, it has developed several variations and spellings due to phonetic changes, transcription errors, and regional dialects.

Common variations of the name Perkins include Perkyns, Parkeyns, Parkeryns, Percins, Pyrkyns, Perkin, Perkinson, Perking, Perkyng, Perkynge, Perkynge-son, and Perkinshaw. Other less common versions are Purkin, Purkein, Perkine, Perkinie, Perkens, Perkence, Perka, Perko, Percocks, Perckins, and Pierkins.

In some cases, the name may be hyphenated or combined with other surnames, such as Perkins-Smith, Perkins-Johnson, or Perkinshaw-Miller. Additionally, variations due to patronymic naming practices include names like Percines (son of Percy), Perkinsson (son of Perkinson), and Perkynsdaughter (daughter of Perkins).

These alterations and adaptations reflect the name's rich history and its prevalence across different regions and time periods in England.

Famous people with the last name Perkins

Notable individuals bearing the surname Perkins include:

1. Curtis Joseph Perkins, professionally known as Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999), an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor who was a leading figure in the development of soul music. He is best remembered for his work with The Impressions during the 1960s and as a successful solo artist throughout the 1970s and 80s.

2. Mattie Moss Clark (1934-2015), also known as Mama Pearl, was an American gospel singer, songwriter, choir director, and pastor, who, along with her sister Gwendolyn, founded the successful gospel group The Clark Sisters.

3. Keith Perkins, born in 1962, is a British actor who has appeared in various films and television series, including "Casualty," "EastEnders," and "The Bill." He also had roles in several Hollywood movies like "The Da Vinci Code" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban."

4. Elaine Perkins Stritch (1925-2014), an American actress and singer, was best known for her roles on Broadway, as well as her recurring appearances on television shows such as "Cheers," "30 Rock," and "The Big C." She won two Tony Awards and received numerous other accolades during her long career.

5. Hank Perkins, born Henry Perkins in 1928, is an American football coach who coached the University of Washington's football team from 1974 to 1982, leading them to three Rose Bowl appearances and a national championship in 1977.

Genealogical research on the last name Perkins

The surname Perkins originates from England and is of Old English descent. Its earliest origins can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon culture where the name Perkyn was derived from the personal name Percival or Pierce, meaning "thorough" or " piercing". This name is often associated with the Normans, who introduced many names into England after their conquest in 1066. The surname Perkins is believed to have been a locational name for someone who lived in one of several places named Perkyn's tun, found in the counties of Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Kent, and Lincolnshire. Over time, as people moved around, the spelling and pronunciation of the name evolved, leading to variations such as Percins, Perkin, Perkinson, Purkis, and others. The earliest record of the family was found in the Domesday Book of 1086, listing a Percival in Lincolnshire. Today, the surname Perkins is most prevalent in England, but also exists in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world due to emigration.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Perkins"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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