This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Peter,' from the pet Perkin or Parkin; compare Wat-kin, Wil-kins, Wil-kinson, &c. There are no Perkins or Parkins in the Hundred Rolls, while the French diminutives Perrin and Perrott are common. What may be called the Flemish forms appeared in Yorkshire and the East counties about the beginning of the 14th century. With Perkins and Parkins, compare Clerk and Clark, Derby and Darby, &c.

Johannes Perkynson, 1379: Poll Tax of Howdenshire.

Johannes Parkynson, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

John Perkyn, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Robert Perkinson, or Parkinson, 1564: Register of the University of Oxford.

Of all the other forms it would be useless to furnish modern instances. Every register has them in abundance.

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Peter'; v. Pearson and Piers.

Robert Peres, Somerset, 1 Edward III: Kirby's Quest.

Ralph Peyres, Somerset, 1 Edward III: ibid.

Adam Percys, Somerset, 1 Edward III: ibid.

From the personal name Peter, Latin Petrus, Greek Πέτρος, from πέτρος, a rock. The surname is not uncommon in Angus and in the shires of Aberdeen and Kincardine. John Peter, follower of the earl of Mar, was charged with resetting outlawed Macgregors in 1636 (RPC., 2. ser. VI p. 215), Andro Peiter was witness in Kirkcaldie in 1640 (PRK., p. 157), David Peter was commissary depute of Peebles in 1645, and Alexander Peter was notary public in Melrose in 1648 (RRM., I, p. 121,126). Petyr 1545.

'son of Peter,' which see.

'Son of Peteh,' which see. Nigellus filius Petri, one of the burgenses rure manentes, Aberdeen, 1317 (SCM., v. p. 10). See also Paterson. Pitersoun 1625.

(Anglo-Latin-Greek) Stone, Rock [Latin Petrus, Greek Πέτρσς—πέτρσς, a piece of rock, a stone; πέτρα (whence Latin petra, a stone), a rock, crag] And ic secge þé, þæt þú eart Petrus, and ofer þysne stán ic getimbrige mine cyricean.— St. Matthew, xvi. 18 (Anglo-Saxon version).

And I seye to thee that thou art Petir, and on this ston I schal bilde my chirche.— do. do. (Wiclif, 1380).

And I saye also unto thee, that thou arte Peter: and upon this rocke I wyll bylde my congregacion.—do. do. (Tyndale, 1534).

And he nemde Simon Petrum.—St. Mark, iii. 16 (Anglo-Saxon version).

And to Symount he putte name Petre.— do. do. (Wiclif). ‘Qy la?’ quod he. ‘Peter! it am I.’— Chaucer, Cant. Tales, B 1404.

(German, English) Descendant of Peter (rock).

The Christian name, introduced here at the Conquest. It has become the parent of many surnames, as Peters, Peterson, Piers, Pierce, Pearse, Pearee, Pears, Peers, Pierson, Pearson, Peterken, Perkin, Perkins, Purkess and Purkis, Perk, Pyrke, Perks, Perkes, Park, Parks, Parkes, Parkin, Parkyn, Parkins, Parkinson, and perhaps Porson and Parsons.

A rock.

The son of Peter.

From Peir or Peter, and the patronymic or diminutive termination ins,—little Peter, or the son of Peter.

1. Henry de Petra, Normandy 1180-95; Warin de P. 1198 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae); Hugh de Petra, Engl. c. 1272 (Rotuli Hundredorum). 2. From Fitz-Peter. Thomas, Robert, Rainald, Ausfrid, Fitz-Peter, Norm. 1180-95 (Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae).

Perkins,Perkin —Confined mostly to the southern half of England, being most numerous in Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and South Wales.