Surname Perkinson - Meaning and Origin

Perkinson: What does the surname Perkinson mean?

Perkinson is an English surname that is patronymic in nature, meaning it is derived from the personal name of a father. In this case, the surname was originally derived from the personal name Peter, and would have been used to indicate the "son of Peter." The personal name Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone." The suffix "-son", common in English and Scandinavian surnames, denotes "son of". Over time and due to regional variations in spelling and pronunciation, the name Peter has evolved into many variants, including Perkin and therefore Perkinson. As families with the Perkinson surname spread geographically, the name became well established in different regions, eventually leading to its current spread. Like many surnames, Perkinson may have also evolved in spelling over the centuries. In general, surnames serve as a way to track family lineage and hereditary trends across generations.

Perkinson: Where does the name Perkinson come from?

The last name Perkinson is most commonly found in the United States. There is a map on the United States Census Bureau’s website that shows where people with the last name Perkinson live today. According to this map, the states with the highest population of people with this last name are Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois. Texas has the highest population of people with the Perkinson surname, followed by Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, and then Illinois. These states account for more than half of all Perkinson’s currently living in the country.

The county with the highest population of Perkinson’s is Harris County, Texas followed closely by Fulton County, Georgia. Together, these two counties represent almost a quarter of all people living with the Perkinson surname. The remaining states listed above also have high populations of individuals with this last name, although their contribution to the total population is much lower.

Interestingly, the population of people with the Perkinson surname has remained relatively stable over the past few decades. The most significant changes in the population have been that the African American population with this last name has more than doubled since the 1980s, while the White population has declined slightly.

Overall, the last name Perkinson is most commonly found in the United States, primarily in the states of Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, and Illinois.

Variations of the surname Perkinson

Perkinson is a surname that originated from England and can also be found in Scotland and Ireland, as well as other parts of the world. It is derived from the Old English “pierre,” which means “rock” and “kyne,” which means “clan,” or “royal family.” Thus, the literal meaning of “Perkinson” is “rock family.” Variations of this surname include Perkerson, Parkinson, Parkison, Parkins, Perkins, Parkins, Parkyns, Pirkin, Perkin, Pierkson, and Pirkyns. Alternate spellings include Perkynson, Parkynson, and Perkinsonn.

A few related surnames include Perrin, Pirie, Parkin, Parke, Parr, and Piers. Each of those would have its own variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Though some may have been made up by immigrants who moved out of their home country, the same thought process of "rock family" is likely behind each of those surnames as well.

Research suggests the Perkinson name is still most common in the United Kingdom, with many individuals bearing the variation throughout the region. It is also believed that branches of the same name have spread across the globe since Anglo-Saxon settlers began to make their mark in other lands. There are likely many variants still to be uncovered and studied in time.

Famous people with the name Perkinson

• Anthony Perkins: American actor best known for his creepy roles in iconic films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho.
• Neneh Cherry: Singer and rapper who achieved international success with her album Raw Like Sushi.
• Graham Perkinson: Electronic music producer and guitarist in the instrumental post-rock band Braveyoung.
• Austin Perkinson: US Air Force Major General, intelligence official, and the first commander of the Air Force’s 48th Intelligence Squadron.
• Laura Perkinson: Contemporary visual artist specializing in hand-built ceramic sculptures and installations.
• Kit Perkinson: Musician, composer, songwriter, producer, and recording artist.
• Austin Perryman: Former English footballer who played for Birmingham City.
• Dave Perkinson: Jazz/Funk drummer, bass guitarist, and multimedia artist.
• Jenny Perkinson: British poet and teacher, nominated for the post of Oxford University Poet-in-Residence in 2012.
• Millie Perkinson: British artist who works in oil and charcoal, often incorporating elements of her poetry into her artwork.

Other surnames

Perkins