Perkins
A classic patronymic surname meaning “son of Peter.”
The #223 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 2,349 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Perkins is an English patronymic built from the personal name Peter, with the diminutive -kin added and then the familiar plural/patronymic -s. In effect, it began as a form meaning “little Peter’s son” or simply “descendant of Peter.” The underlying name Peter comes through Old French and ultimately from Greek petros, “rock.”
History
Medieval records show many spellings and related forms, including Perkin, Parkin, Parkins, Perks, and Purkis/Purkess, all tied to the same Peter-based name family. 19th-century surname writers regularly grouped Perkins with other Peter-derived surnames such as Parkinson and Peterken. The name remains common in England and especially in countries shaped by English migration, including the United States.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
It belongs to a large surname family built from Peter, alongside names like Parkin, Parkinson, and Perks.
From the historical record
“PERKS I Perk's (Son) : v. Perk^ ' 2 occ. a contr. ot Perkins, q.v. PERMAIN, V. Pearmain. PERNEL y p„„„-,| PERNELLj • ^^'^"®"'”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)